Can any tell me what transmission fluids are suitable to use in my '87 300D.I live in a VERY rural area of upstate N.Y. and can't drop by my "local" MB garage for a quart.The car has 113k on if and is running flawlessly.I just want to keep a qt. handy.You never know when a small leak might develop in this cold N.Y. weather. My owners manual say DexronII.I've only heard of DexronIII.Is this what they are referring to?
Also the same goes for the brake fluid.I was told to only use MB brake fluid.Is there any thing else compatible?
How about power steering fluid? Same thing...?
As I said before,it's like,an hour drive to the nearest MB dealer.I suppose there are numerous web sites that I could get whatever I need.And probably genuine MB stuff too.I am not partial to on-line purchases.The less I use my credit card the better.Thanks for all the help.J.S.

Fluids
 

Greetings Joe,

If they haven't changed anything, Dexron III is compatible to Dexron II just added ingredients to cover higher heat dissipation. The brake fluid you should be using is Dot 3 for high heat dissipation. It is reccommended depending on where you live to completely drain or bleed out the old brake fluid every several years in order to rid the system of accumulated moisture, which lowers the boiling point of your brake fluid causing fading under extreme braking circumstances.

Hope this helps,

Charles

Look at this thread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/10583-best-atf-mbs-synethietics.html

Any transmission fluid labeled DexronIII will be
acceptable. It is the successor to DexronII. MB
does occasionally publish lists of recommended products,
though any quality brand of ATF should be acceptable.

MB requires DOT4 rated brake fluid. Again, any quality
brand will work fine. A key point is that metal bottles
are far superior to plastic - they do a better job of
keeping moisture out of the fluid while it sits on the
shelf. As mentioned, MB recommends brake fluid be changed
annually. Doing so removes accumulated water from the
system (brake fluid is very hygroscopic - it absorbs
water directly from the atmosphere). Eventually, the
water rusts your brake system from the inside out,
causing expensive repairs.

Power steering fluid is a bit more difficult. It depends
on what is currently in your car. It *may* have ATF, in
which case you can top it up with your quart of fluid.
See if the PS fluid is nice and red - if so, it's ATF.
On the other hand, your car may be new enough to be
filled with MB power steering fluid. In this case, I
think the best alternative is to pick up a pint next time
you are in the vicinity of an MB dealer. I think this
fluid is relatively clear.