Hi. Our 1996 E230 has a green (possibly synthetic) oil/lubricant/fluid in the automatic transmission. Can you please tell me what it is (so we can refill it/top it up), as it is not the normal red ATF? Thanks. Ed.

Never heard of a "green" ATF..

I would drain & refill with a good Dexron type ATF.

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antifreeze getting pulled in from a ruptured divider between the radiator and transmission cooler? Hope not but it happens.

how did you determine you have green ATF? Did you pull the dipstick? ( I think '96 car would have a dipstick.)

It could be that someone has but BMW synthetic fluid in. I seem to recall from working around those cars 8 or so years ago that the BMW synthetic fluid from the dealer was a green color. The factory fill fluid from MB in the .6 transmissions had a greenish/brown tint to it, but the fluid in a 96 E320 should be red. I agree with M.B. Doc about changing the fluid. Good luck.

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Thanks for your help and advice. I managed to source a suitable dipstick and obtained a good sample of gearbox fluid which is red and clean, not green! Can anyone tell me please what then are the green drops of oil from the rear of the gearbox (have put white plastic under the vehicle when parked) - about 1-2 drops per week after car use. it's not brake fluid. with car on hoist with mechanic the rear of gearbox housing extension appeared to be moist and it appears that the green drops are cooming from somewhere in this vacinity. he suggests that the red oil is being contaminated by rubbish around the end of the gear box. have obained a litre of genuine mercedes geabox aft (red) just incase i have to add to the transmission. thanks again for your help and advice. regards. ed.

Good choice. I would imagine yours will have the 722.6 transmission as does my 1996 E230. This takes only Mercedes genuine fluid. Although Valvoline Maxlife works. I've used Valvoline in mine and it works fine. Although I wouldn't advise mixing different fluids.

Not sure on your green fluid from behind the gear box. Could be antfreeze tracking from the back of the engine ?

I know when my atf was changed the first time it was yellow. Apparently it does this with age.