72 450 Tranny fluid recommendations - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 12-15-2007, 12:55 PM

I am thinking synthetic equal to the Dex III it calls for , any suggestions, any reason not to go sythetic?
137,000 miles

meltedpanda · #2 12-15-2007, 04:13 PM

what about Valvoline high mileage stuff?, non synthetic, Dex III compatible

lee polowczuk · #3 12-15-2007, 04:25 PM

i don't think you can lose with mobil 1... that's what we use in our 124's... they also don't take much fluid... less than 7 qts if i remember correctly.

meltedpanda · #4 12-15-2007, 10:46 PM

mobile 1 ,is that synthetic ?

Mike D · #5 12-16-2007, 08:17 AM

Ron, If it is any help, I use ATF type "F" in all my Benz's/ Benz'i? (manual transmission included). The synthetics are fine IF the transmissions are in tip-top shape which of course none of mine are as they have all been rescued/restored with a gadzillion miles on them.

I switched to syntho on my '73 280 and it started slipping immediately. Went back to type "F" and it's back to just the normal 2-3 flare.

I put syntho in my wife's '72 250C manual and it became almost unshiftable ( I caught the dickens for that little move!), went back to type "F" and there is peace in the house again.

I think it comes down to what wear you have on the trans. The type "F" is a "high friction" type fluid (whatever that means) which tends to cling to the clutch packs in the autos and the main bearings in the manual.

We used to run type "F" in our GM automatic hotrods back in the 70's for a firmer shift under load. I dunno what damage we were doing to the tranny if any because none of our beasts ever got more than 10K on them due to stress.

p.s., joke of the day. What's the definition of a nervous man? He has a house payment, a car payment, a boat payment, a wife, a girlfriend and they're ALL a month late!

meltedpanda · #6 12-16-2007, 12:52 PM

thanks Mike, I am going with regular stuff , no synthetics for me, I am going to research the high mileage stuff a little as I may use it , I guess its like the type "f" you speak of.

abe g · #7 12-18-2007, 11:50 AM

I may be wrong but 72 calls for type 2 transmission fluid, can use 3. I use F in my moped! I believe that F is for Ford automatic transmission. Any correction appreciated. Regards, Abe G

meltedpanda · #8 12-18-2007, 01:54 PM

Hmmm, my manual just says Dextron, but I think lll is what I read was the best formualtion available now

Tomguy · #9 12-18-2007, 09:11 PM

F is for Ford and is NOT intended for MBs!

The Dextron is the best for Benzes. III is backwards compatible with previous versions, just updated. Any III is good for yours. Since my tranny leaks about a quart a month (when I drove it), I used Quaker State Dexron III. In the big green jug. You can use whatever you want, if you're talking about the trannies this old though they won't benefit much (if at all) from synthetic vs a modern transmission.