The automatic transmission fluid is low in my car. The small book I got with the car indicates to talk to the MB dealership for the type of trans fluid to use.

Can anyone out there tell me the correct automatic transmission fluid to use in a 1988 560 SEL??

Thanks, Timberock

Any major brand will do - Texaco, Chevron, etc. Look for Dexron III (sometimes it says 'Dexron III with Mercon') on the label.

I have over 200,000 miles on this stuff in my 300SD (1983) and 560SEL (1990). These transmissions are similar to one another and to yours.

I change it every 30,000 miles, along with the transmission filter - do it every 15,000 miles if you drive a lot in stop-go traffic. Take care to drain the torque converter when changing the fluid - it holds a lot, and make sure to use new transmission pan and torque converter crush washers. Also, change the transmission pan seal while you are at it - you need to remove the pan to get at the filter.

If your fluid is brown, it should be changed now; fresh fluid is pink. You check the level with the engine running, at operating temperature. Overfilling is bad and easy to do.

Thank You very much. I thought that would be it, but wanted to be sure before I went ahead.

Thanks Again, Timberock