Okay. here is the deal. I have a 1987 190e 2.3-16V with a 5 speed transmission. I contacted the mercedes dealer in my area asking what fluid i should use in the transmission. They said to use dexron II ATF. I about jumped out of my seat! I have always figured that you are supposed to use a gear lube in manual transmissions. All my brothers have manual vehicles and they all use gear lube. I found it a little bit wierd that I am being told to use atf when they are all told to use gear lube?!? Correct me if I am wrong but I would appreciate information on what grade of gear lube I am supposed to use, IF I am supposed to. My manuals say to use ATF but I still think otherwise. Why would getrag use ATF instead of gear lube?

It is not uncommon for manuals to use Dextron. Chrysler has been doing this as far back as the 60's. Of course the transmission has to be designed for it. The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter also allowed Dextron for some time in its main gearbox. This is essentially a large 1000+ HP manual gearbox that does not shift. I belive Sikorsky no longer allows Dextron due to inconsitancies among oil manufactures, I could be wrong on that. That why you should stick to approved brands. In any case do what your manual says.

John Roncallo

YES it's ATF, don't use gear lube, hard to shift it with that in there.

Gilly

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my sugestion would be to stick to what the owners manual says, most modern designed geartrains use ATF fluid, I have never seen any problems otherwise. I realise it may seem strange to put ATF fluid in a gearbox but The gearbox will perform much better with TRANS FLUID in it.
NOTE: this doesn't apply for every gearbox.

You should use ATF. Gear oil will make it harder to shift into and out of gear, especially in colder weather, often causing the synchro's to drag and grind between shifts. During the summer you might not experience this as much when the oil thins. However in this case you should do as the manual instructs.

Another forum and another transmission story is that. People with the Lexus SCs sometimes confuse the auto trans fluid. It is instructed to use Type IV, III, and/or II. People get confused as well as mechanics, because the color is exactly the same as Dexron ATF. Well, you guessed it. Some people and/ or mechanics put ATF and sure enough. A new auto transmission is needed. Do what the manual says. This is the uniqueness of having a particular model or brand. Another side note, my old Prelude used 10W-30 motor oil for the manual trans.