I just picked up a new-to-me w124 E300D, a 1995 vintage. I am planning on doing a total ATF and filter change this weekend, but I don't have the owner's manual and I'm curious as to what fluid I need. I searched but want to be extra sure before I dump the stuff in. I have always used Chevron dino MD-3 in my 300SD, is this the correct stuff for this newer transmission? I wasn't planning on using synthetic, but I did have great luck with the Mobil 1 universal stuff in my 7.3 Powerstroke manual transmission (it calls for ATF), it really improved the cold weather shifting in that thing, but dino ATF has served me well in my old 300SD. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help

I am certain I used a Dextron type fluid in mine w/o issue.

Use regular Dexron/Mercon and replace the filter. Don't forget to rotate the engine until one of the torque converter plugs is exposed and drain the torque converter while you're at it. Otherwise you leave lots of dirty fluid inside.

Make SURE that you don't overfill it. If you do, drain some out until you have the correct level following the owners manual check procedure.

Hope this helps

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Great thanks for the help guys. I just wanted to make extra sure I could use the good old dino Dex/Merc in this car as well and not some expensive dealer-only fluid.

The transmission will maintain a lower operating temperature using Group IV base stock synthetic transmission fluid. I have 30,000 plus miles on Amsoil ATF in the 1984 300D; recently pulled the pan and couldn't believe how clear it was with no metal debris whatsoever....amazing. The transmission shifts as smooth as silk.

I may give the synthetic a try for the first time in a Benz with this newer car I have. I do run synthetic in every other car I own an am impressed with the cold performance especially. It made the biggest difference in my ZF manual trans, no more cold grinds with synthetic in there.

Someone here on the forum posted a link to the new Amsoil ATF that is correct one to use in our cars. I used the Amsoil Universal ATF, but the poster says that is incorrect and that Amsoil realized it's mistake and instead we should be using this:

AMSOIL - Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)

I went from 140K to 316K on Amsoil synthetic and found perfectly clean pan, now up to 357K and counting on Amsoil synth multi vehicle. Only wish it didn't smell so bad. I guess it's a leak alarm. If it starts to leak, I will smell it...

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 357K

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I really may have to give it a try then. I am going to just run dino this time around and dump it in spring, it's a little over due from the previous owner (45k miles on dino at this point) so I want to run a shorter interval and do another complete change, along with filter, this spring to make sure it's nice and clean. I'd be very happy if I got another 200k out of my trans like you're sitting at now.

[QUOTE=thatguy;2848732]I just picked up a new-to-me w124 E300D, a 1995 vintage.

Congrats. How many miles on it?

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1995 E300 Diesel

[QUOTE=benedict;2850812]Thanks, it only has about 150k and has been maintained very well. I really enjoy the car, even though it doesn't have a turbo it still seems to cruise down the highway at 70 with almost no effort, I love the way it drives and of course sounds.