ATF fluid choice for 300E

[andrei]

Hello everybody,
i'm currently planning to change ATF fluid on my Mercedes 300E 1989. I called couple dealers in my area for a price quote, pretty much all of them told me it will be around 300$: about $150 for labor and $150 for parts. The good thing that they do install customer provided parts. I bought a MANN filter with gasket for only 14$ and now i want to buy the fluid. As i know it's gotta be Dexron III, but than i was in a store i got really confused with the selection of different Dexron III ATF by Mobil (such as: extended performance, regular, gold, silver and etc.) Can you please explain me or tell what would be the best choice to go with?

thank you in advance,
andrei

[gmercoleza]

I use Mobil 1 in my 91 300E. After over 150K it is still going strong with nice controlled shifts. I am due for another fluid change in the next couple of months and will be going with Mobil 1 again. I don't think the brand or type of fluid is as important as the frequency of service. Change the fluid and filter every 25K to 30K and you should be good to go.

[arvy]

I currently use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. Previously used Quaker State Dexron III. I notice that shifts are smoother and feel more precise with Mobil 1 especially nearing the 50,000 km (31k mi.) point. Note, however, that Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is not on the MB approved fluids list but Quaker State is on that list. One of the local MB dealers sells Quaker State Dexron III for the older (pre-722.6) trannies.

MB Approved Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluids-
Castrol Dexron-III/Mercon ATF F-30341
Castrol Transmax M-22257/22096
Chevron ATF Dexron III F-30108/30159
Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF D-21571
Exxon Superflo ATF Dexron III F-30111
Havoline ATF Mercon/Dexron-III F-30321
Texaco ATF Mercon/Dexron-III F-30321
Pennzoil ATF D-22413/F-30110
Quaker State Dexron-III/Mercon F30161
Sunoco ATF Dexron-III/Mercon F-30176
Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF D-22413/22431
Valvoline ATF Type D

From the Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF product description-
"Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is recommended for use in modern high performance automobiles, SUVs, SUTs, vans and other light trucks requiring Dexron III and Ford Mercon performance levels."
http://www.mobil.com/Canada-English/Lubes/PDS/iocaenpvlmomobil_1_synthetic_atf.pdf

[lee polowczuk]

Originally Posted by ellington

any name brand Dextron III ATF will just fine. as someone has already mentioned, service that transmission every 30,000 miles.

a friend of mine has over 200,000 miles on his original 300E transmission; fluid changed regularly with Pennzoil ATF Dextron III.

be sure that whoever does the work that they drain the torque converter.

do not, i repeat do not go anywhere where they use one of those fluid exchanger machines. bad things will happen.

I lost a transmission after going to one of those places... it was on a Q45..it immediately started to slip in the final gear... tranny never gave out...but it made driving the car challenging...

most of the oil in a 300e comes out of the torque converter... easy to drain.
I use mobil one.... don't notice any better shifts...it's more for heat protection. i think syns are better for heat.

I change somewhere between 27-30k miles

[softconsult]

'92 300E 245,000 on original transmission. Shifts exactly like it did when I got it at 113,000 miles. 30,000 mile services with non-synthetic fluid. Service is drain torque converter and transmission fluid + transmission filter change. Note if you do it yourself that torque on pan bolts is inch pounds, very little torque.

Steve

[slikkemeg]

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I switched to Mobil1 20k miles ago. I used to have front seal leak. After switching, the leak stopped . Also, it shifts smoother after switching to Mobil 1 ATF.

[throne7]

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

I use Mobil 1 in my 91 300E. After over 150K it is still going strong with nice controlled shifts. I am due for another fluid change in the next couple of months and will be going with Mobil 1 again. I don't think the brand or type of fluid is as important as the frequency of service. Change the fluid and filter every 25K to 30K and you should be good to go.

My mechanic puts in the CAM2 ATF. I will probably need to get some as backup and topping up. Anyone know where I can get this in Canada?? I checked Canadian Tires but they don't have.

[S-Class Guru]

I have a '91 300SE.
Am I the only poor guy with no torque converter drain (trust me, it's original tranny and the drain is non-existant).
I drain out about 2.5 quarts when I remove the pan and do the filter change; and maybe 2 whole quarts when I just pull the pan plug.
Consequently, I try to do it often; but I sure wish there was a way to get
more fresh fluid in.
But, so far so good - 175k and no issues. I use Valvoline Dex III.

DG

[sokoloff]

I thought every Mercedes transmission up until September, 1999 had a torque converter drain plug. I just serviced my transmission a week or so ago and it took me awhile to find the drain plug. The torque converter turns a lot more than I expected with just a little bit of movement of the crankshaft. If I wasn't certain that one was there, I might have given up on it. Got about 7.5 liters out by draining both drain plugs.

Len
'99 E300TD 100,000 miles

[sokoloff]

Yours I understand - it's a replacement and the new ones no longer have the drain plug.

Len

[throne7]

Originally Posted by slikkemeg

I use Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. I switched to Mobil1 20k miles ago. I used to have front seal leak. After switching, the leak stopped . Also, it shifts smoother after switching to Mobil 1 ATF.

Are these Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF safe to put into a 260E (1987)? The last time I had a transmission service, the mechanic says its leaking from the seal near the torque converter, he shined a flash light and showed me the wet area. But he says its a lot of work to replace, so told me to keep an eye on it and top up. If this Mobil 1 work magic for you I am willing to give it a shot.

[softconsult]

I have a '91 300SE.
Am I the only poor guy with no torque converter drain.

I'm betting it does have one. Next time you do the service, take a flashlight and a large screwdrive under the car. Make a mark on the T.C. so you know where you started. Lever the torque converter in the direction of engine rotation, until you see the drain plug.

Steve

[gmercoleza]

And for clarification the direction of engine rotation is clockwise when viewed from the front. Be sure not to turn the engine in the opposite direction as bad things can happen.