Dummies guide to fluids (oil, coolant, etc)
 

Ok, now the car is running again and it´s time to address those regular maintenance items - the fluids.

Since my car didn´t come with any owners manual and searching here and everywhere else hasn´t resulted in any answers... I once again have to bother all the people on the board to find some answers :D

:confused:

How much oil does the engine want with a regular oil change w/filter? (300E/86 - I assume is M103 after absorbing the info from here). Also interested in 87/560SEL here, as that´s my next project to get on the road.

Same goes for transmission (auto). How much does it usually take?

Coolant? And what is the preferrred mix? Special fluid required?

Rear-axle/Differential? How much, and which kind?

If I forgot any other fluids, feel free to include them too :)

For the 560SEL from the W126 CD manual:

engine oil - 8.0l/8.5qt motor oil, grade depends on ambient temp

automatic transmission - 7.7l/8.1qt MB ATF (Dexron III)

rear axle - 1.3l/1.4qt SAE 90 hypoid gear oil

power steering - 1.3l/1.4qt MB PS fluid

level control - 2.0l/2.1qt hydraulic fluid (search archives for the right type)

brake reservoir - 0.5l/0.5qt MB brake fluid (DOT 4)

cooling system - approx 13.0l/13.7qt MB anticorrosion/antifreeze, can't find the section on mix

Lots of discussion on engine oil recommendations and even more on coolant.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL

I got a neat "approved fluids" brochure at the dealer parts dep't (free). Ask them, they are surprisingly helpful.

-TOm

Thanks. The closest dealer here is 3 hrs away :)

Somebody got the details on the W124/300E too?

If you call 1-800-FOR MERC they will send you (for a price) an owner's manual which will give you this, and lots more, information. There is another publication you should send for at the same time, the Maintenance Manual, which if they still have print copies of this, is a VERY VERY helpful document to have for a reference, and cheap, too.

http://www.tmcpubl.com

Hard copy manuals for many MBs.