car stat: 1987 260E 2.6L M103

Hello, I wonder what common transmission fluid is acceptable for the older W124? By common I meant the ATF that you can just buy anywhere, like Walmart, Canadian Tires etc. You know the non-dealer stuffs. My transmission is slightly leaking so I figure whatever I put in to top up will just leak out during driving anyway, so why put the expensive dealers stuffs inside.

Can I just use a good quality Dexron*III/Mercon** from Walmart?

What does it means when the bottle says something like Dexron*III(H specification) ?

Thanks

Any Dexron 3 type product will work. Of course synthethic is better.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I use Valvoline DexronVI Full Synthetic, its backwards compatible with the older fluid spec and works great. Currently running it in 5 MB's with excellent results.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Do I have to remove the stuffs that the indy put in there last time I took it in for a checkup? Then refill with the new Dexron 3? Or can I just top it up and have the new Dexron 3 mix in with whatever is in there?

From what I know, the indy put in a generic Dexron 3 that comes in a large tank at his garage.

So they can be mixed without adverse health effect right?

I'm sure that any shop today would use a quality Dexron product.

You can mix any of those fluids.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I've installed Dexron VI in my 1990. The fluids are upward compatable.

Since you keep the fluid in for 30k miles.... the cost per mile for full synthetic vs dexron is negligible...

we use full synthetic in all of ours... transmissions shift great

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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