Does anyone know if its okay to mix dexron III with power steering fluid? the dealer who sold the car to us flushed the power steering system and re-filled it with dexron III. I need to top it off becasue it is leaking slightly. I bought mercedes power steering fluid ($28/litre) and am planning on topping it off with it. should i just use dexron III (which I know is not meant for it, but its alreday in there) or from now just keep topping it off with PSF?

Old ones often used ancestors of Dexron, newer ones (especially VW/Audi products and BMWs) sometimes demand some special stuff in green cans, of which the various varieties are not even compatible with one another!

Dear Sid The Kid:

First, you should always tell us the year and model of your car when you ask anything about your car!

Second, you wasted much money to buy that MB power steering fluid.

MB recommended ATF type A for old MB cars, but that ATF is no longer available and has long been replaced by Dexron III/Mercon. However, since Dexron III contains quite a few of additives that will cause your power steering components (hoses, seals etc...) to swell and leak, stop using Dexron III immediately.

OK, go to any auto stores and buy about 3 quarts of any POWER STEERING FLUID (for about $6-7 total). Next, flush the Dexron III stuff from your power steering system using the new power steering fluid you've just bought and fill it up with that power steering fluid. From now on, don't waste money on expensive MB fluids like power steering fluid or dot 4 brake fluid. You can always buy great aftermarket stuff from auto stores at much cheaper prices.

You can read about how to flush power steering system by searching posts.

Eric

ooops, its a 1991 500SL

My understanding is...

If it's got a serpentine belt it requires MB type fluid. Nothing else is avaliable which meets Mercedes specifications in NA. Any V-belt driven ps can use Dextron III or MB approved fluids.

I've used dextron III in countless cars for 10+ years and never seen a problem. Yes, I have replace the return hose on 20 year old cars... but I don't consider that to be a fluid problem. Nothing else and I believe that's what Stu Ritter told me to use. The Type A fluid reference is equivlent for serpentine belts.

If you want to know for sure- call MBUSA tech support and ask what is approved for your car. Don't go cheap and blow a $300 pump for $20 worth of fluid. Pretty sure you can get febi fluid mailorder.


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Thanx guys

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