What type of power steeting fluid should I buy?
 

Hear noise when I turn in my 300. Pretty sure I need power steering fluid. I just bought Power Steering Fluid by Prestone, but did not add it yet. There are no specifications as to whether it contains ATF. It cost me $2 for 12 oz. All it says it that it was formulated for use in GM, Ford, Chrysler, and most foreign cars and trucks.

Is this safe?

What is the ideal power steering fluid brand these days? At the store, they had Prestone, STP, Gunk, and I think Mobile 1 (synthetic) and a no name from "Quality".

All my manual says is to use Mercedes Benz Power Steering fluid, but it is a hassle to go to the dealer, but will go if I absolutely have to.

Please advise.

goop
 

My 300d w123 can use trans fluid , but for my 300se w126 I use
the dealer's MBZ power stearing 'oil'.

Go for the good stuff.
Get a new power steering filter and the 'oil' at partsshop.
No tax, some shipping but it supports this site.
Drain the fluid and replenish.
For a quickie, pump it out ,down to almost bottom in order to not allow air in.
Pull out filter, replace with new and new fluid to top off the reservoir.
my 2 cents

i would only use the MB fluid. it cost me fifteen bucks
and have only used maybe a quarter of the bottle.

better safe than sorry.

You're OK for now with regular PS fluid..
 

... until the MB fluid arrives. It's made by Febi and it has to be ground shipped since it's a hazardous fluid.

Call Phil and he'll set you up. Put in the other stuff for now and think of it as a good flush for when the MB fluid arrives.

Replace the filter and gasket as well.

Good luck!

~Paul

____________________
'91 300E, 206k miles

Do not use Dexron or Mercon ATF. If you insist on using ATF, find some Type A. The former type fluid has evolved in such a way that it is not good for power steering seals, been there done that. I have used whatever brand power steering fluid is on the shelf at the auto supply for hundreds of thousands of miles in my 240D with no trouble. Previously I used Mercon and ruined the seal.

There is no need to use the expensive MB stuff unless it's worth $10 extra for peace of mind, your choice, but don't use Mercon.

Good luck,

Thanks I appreciate the replies, but there is no indication on the Prestone container as to what the contents are other than it is power steering fluid. Others had additives to decrease leakage.

I take it then that these brands are acceptable, i.e., Prestone, STP, etc:confused:

If if is acceptable, is it as easy as unscrewing the black top screw, lifting the metal cap, and pouring in:confused:

On my Olds this is much simpler, but better safe than sorry with ma Benz if I don't know what I am doing.

I already bought the Prestone stuff, would like to add if OK.

Pic of fluid attached.

Here is the other side. Would you add this?

Is this OK? I take it then no one knows for sure?

I personally would have no worries in using this fluid.

Yes, you just loosen the nut on top of the reservoir. There is a spring under the reservoir top, so hold the top down while unscrewing the nut, then when the nut is off, wiggle the top around until it comes up, then lift off.

Good luck,

Thanks Larry. I jumped in and filled it up about 1/2" from the top of the reservoir (fluid cold) and noise went away. I only needed a little bit.

I don't understand the purpose of the spring loaded nut when you tighten it down 100% anyway.

I have no problem using the Prestone fluid either. The spring loaded nut is there to keep pressure on the filter, which resides at the bottom of the resevoir.

The official MB literature specifies ATF.

(..." Refer to specifications for service products sheet 236.3...)

My own hand book specifies : MB power steering fluid. (1992 300e.)

As a matter of interest though...All my customers MB cars have always been topped up with Dexron IIIe. In 16 years I have only replaced one shaft seal on any, and this was a newly acquired car by my customer with a leaking pump when he bought it.

Most customers have been coming to me for many years and there have been no leaks as I said earlier. The 300e above has been serviced by me since 1995 and has 170,000 miles on original pump and no leaks yet.

It occurs to me, that a fluid designed for the rigors of automatic life, would do well in a p/s pump.


________________________________________________________

Larry - I've seen your warnings several times about using modern Dexron as your power steering fluid. Do you think that your experience might have been a coincidence and that no matter what you used, your power steering box seal was ready to go anyway? It is still the approved MB fluid for cars with multiple belts as far as I know. I've been using it in my 240D and have had no problems. For the cars with the single serpentine belt, the recommendation is the MB fluid.

Len
'83 240D 344,000 miles original owner

I use the same ps fluid for my MB and for my Oldsmobile.

If the mfg. calls for Dexron-III, then use it. I've owned asian cars that call for Dexron-III and 200K + miles later I do not have leaky seals.

You simply use what the mfg. says to use; not what someone here says.