Clear Transmission Fluid
 

I just purchased a 1999 E300 TD with 103,000 miles, to replace the 1999 E300TD that was totaled last week.
Today going through the fluids, I checked the trans fluid and it is clear. No odor or burnt smell, just clear. You can't even see it on the dip stick. When some is placed on a white paper towel, there is just the faintest pinkish tint, which could be residual from the previous fluid.

The trans shifts well and doesn't exhibit any problems.
I've done a search and there didn't seem to be any definitive answer, so I was wondering if anyone knows of any top line ATF that is clear?

I have read where MB specified an increase in the quantity of red dye added to the trans fluid sometime after the 722.6 was released. I suspect what you have in there is factory original fluid.

There was a discussion about this a while ago when I believe thedon got a 722.6 from a junkyard he had a trans with very faint almost yellow fluid in it. Its that your fluid is really old not that its some strange aftermarket fluid.

Probably an AAMCO put in a crappy fluid or some do it all shop. Just change and keep on driving.

Enjoy the ride. The 606 is an unbelievable ride and I like it a lot. The engines are tanks and so are the cars. Amazing torque, NA or turbo. Just keep up with it and it will treat you well. Sorry to hear about the previous E300. May it rest in car heaven. :D

I run Redline D4, and I can hardly see it on the dipstick

Yes I agree, a really great car. The best I have owned.

I was thinking of changing it to Redline or Amsoil.

MBs ATF had a tendency to lose the tint just like ATF +4 does. Infact it turns into a yellowish brown after a while.

I have never seen clear fluid, The lightest I used was Brad Penn III-H ATF in my 95 which literally was light pink in color rather than dark red. Reading the dipstick is pretty hard unless its sunny outside.

My experince with Redline D4: I changed the fluid (DEXlll)that had about 20K on it. Lots of clutch material in the pan. When Changed out the D4 @30K there was no clutch dust in the pan. Also, I noticed an improvement in the shifting or so it seemed. My car now has 204K on it and original transmission.

I use brad penn because I like their motor oil and I can buy their ATF in 5gallon pails locally. I too noted that its very pink, pinkest ATF I've ever used.

Im not trying to be a amsoil fanboy, but ive had good sucess with the amsoil "Torque-Drive" syntetic trans fluid.
4 years ago i bought my dream vehcile a Humvee, the truck had 80,000mi on the original 4L80e trans, now for many that doest seem high, but for a 10,000lb vehicle, its getting up there. Most of the humvee guys that beat the hell out of their trucks get 70-80k mi per trans.:( Anyways when i went to inspect it, the truck overall was in great shape, but the trans fluid was brown and stinky, and had some torque converter studder in 4-OD; a big red flag. But i couldnt resist the truck, and had to buy it.:D
First thing was a fluid swap, drove 1000mi, then did another with the amsoil. The trans absoulety shifts like a dream, ive towed my boats with it, done numerous offroading treks 1500mi each way, and as the milage added up, it only shifted better and better. A good firm shift, just like it left the factory, and no more torque converter studdter when it engages. Im at 110,000mi and it couldnt run better.

Now how does this relate to the benz, the Torque drive fluid is a dextron3/4 replacement. And its a higher grade fluid thats use in the Alliston transmissions (what it originaly was designed for). What does that mean to me, all 3 of my vehicles use the same trans fluid. Plus i run the amsoil 15w40 synthetic in the diesel humvee, which i also use in my older gas benzes, which is what ive read online from folks that similar 15w-40 grades are recomended for our older cars. Now i can justify buying the fluids in bulk that covers all my cars.:D

LOL yea i know, 55gal barrels of oils getting dropped off really attacts the neighbourhood car guys over to my garage.

If your looking for reduced wear and tare, any of the premium fluids on the market is a good choice to swap out if your doing the change yourself. Ive heard good things about the redline too.

You can get Fuchs Titan 3353 ATF, the equivalent of factory MB fluid, for $41 a gallon from Pelican. That's about the best deal I've seen for it. In fact, I plan on picking up a jug.