Factory Approved Service Products - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Thai GI · #1 07-14-2002, 07:02 AM

1. Working on my drive shaft and want to use the “specified grease”?
2. I see this a lot throughout the service books, when the manual say, “refer to Specifications for service products page 266.2” do they mean “FACTORY APPROVED SERVICE PRODUCTS”?
3. Would my local dealer be able to get me a copy?
4. Does it really have up to 266 pages or more what does it look like how does it work?

Thai GI sends…

rickjordan · #2 07-14-2002, 11:07 AM

I don't know about Mercedes of U.K., but through MB of USA I was able to get a copy of the "Factory Approved Service Products" for free. The booklet is only 7 pages long. In the section for motor oils, it refers to sheet numbers like 229.1 and 229.3. So I gather there is an actual book, but this list is an abridged version. You din't mention what year and model you have. I couldn't find anything specificlly on "drive shaft". What part of the drivshaft are you lubricating? The book list different classes of grease based on it's use. There is NLGI class 00, 01, and 2

Cap'n Carageous · #3 07-14-2002, 02:18 PM

Rick; what do they reccomend for power steering and differential?

rickjordan · #4 07-15-2002, 01:45 AM

For the power steering fluid they don't have a power steering fluid list, like they list motor oils. They list each class of car and the various fluids for them. They list only the newer classes ie; CL, E, G, C etc. For my TD the owner's manual says to use ATF. Granted that was 1983, but even the new E, CLK, SL, SLK, M, and G class vehicles can use either MB's power steering fluid or any of the approved ATFs. Some here have "argued" that the newer ATFs are formulated different now and are not good for the older steering boxes. I use ATF in my steering sys., and haven't had any leaks or problems.
For the rear differentials they only list it as Hypoid gear oil. As for brand, they only list the MB part number 001 989 17 03 10. Your owner's manual would list the proper weight.

Thai GI · #5 07-15-2002, 07:04 AM

Rick

1. Thanks for the reply I have an 87 190E 2.3 and an 88 260E/California.
2. I need to coat the splining on the yoke.
3. On the book does it have a part number on it? Something like S-1234-5678-90 like the old repair manuals back when it was on paper and not CD. It’s usually on the second page inside cover. I can have a dealer from the US mail it to me if they don’t have it here in the UK.

Thai GI sends...

rickjordan · #6 07-15-2002, 10:00 AM

The order number is S-0473-02Q. BTW, your 260E "California", is that a convertible? Ferrari named one of their convertibles in the 60's as a California.

Thai GI · #7 07-20-2002, 03:28 AM

1. The “California” was meant for California model, it was a thing to do for Mercedes-Benz during those years.
2. The order number that you gave, is this for a particular model? When I did some research seams like different sources have the same first sections matching (S-0473-XXX) but the last three (02Q) I see other numbers like 97K, 00N, 98L. What does this mean different books for different years, models, or content?

Thai GI sends...

rickjordan · #8 07-21-2002, 12:52 AM

The "Factory Approved Service Products" booklet is for all Mercedes, not a particular model. Though the booklet does list the more modern model numbers, the general stuff like approved motor oil and tranny oil is universal for all Mercedes. The booklet I have is effective Nov. 2001. I don't know how often Mercedes updates these products lists.

Thai GI · #9 07-21-2002, 04:43 AM

1. I think I’ve figured this thing out but wouldn’t bet on it just think this is the way it’s set up.
2. It’s by year maybe, if yours was dated Nov 01 and it’s 02Q then the sequence is: 97K, 98L, 99M, 00N, 01P, 02Q (the “O” is not used like the VIN because the confusion with zero). The books are printed a year before…
3. This sounds logical to me what do you think?
4. If you say your book list only the newer classes I wonder if they still apply to the older cars. That’s why maybe you have the ATF argument as you have mentioned with old and new cars.

Your brothers in arms
Thai GI

rickjordan · #10 07-21-2002, 03:27 PM

The products list is for all Mercedes, it just happens to mention some of the more modern cars. I am suspecting since they require some very specific fluids. However, there is an oil list and transmission fluid list. The oil list is in 2 parts. One is oil weights based on outside temp. The other list is of approved full synthetic oils which have to be used in all FSS cars. I am assuming MB is using this system on your side of the "pond". The problem with using an up to date list of service products is, how does it apply to cars made 15-20 years ago. It is sort of like which came first, the chicken or the egg. If for example 0W-40 was available 10 years ago, would MB of specified it. Can a car built 10+ years ago use 0W-40. Obviously 0W-40 won't be listed in the owner's manual. For ATFs, the "old" standard was Dextron II, but now there is Dextron III. Can one use Dextron III in place of Dextron II. Personally, I put Mobil 1 ATF in my TD's transmission, only now to find out that Mobil 1, or even reg. Mobil ATF is NOT on the "approved" list, hmmmmmmm. Now, Mobil 1 is listed under approved synthetic motor oils.
The other thing that is on the list is gas and diesel standards. Here there is reference to older cars dating back before 1975. I would be interested in finding out how often MB updates this list. As I mentioned before, the list MB sent me is dated "November 2001"