Hydraulic Fluid/Power steering Fluid - Benzworld.org

panzerwagon_350slc · 09-06-2005, 09:59 AM

I have an 88 560SEL (recently aquired). My hydraulic fluid reservoir is getting extrememly low. Power steering noises are starting to get audible. I don't have a owners manual to refer to and there's no-one (I live in BFE) that sells hydraulic fluid for "them thar German cars". Am I overlooking something? Must it be a certain type of hydrualic fluid? Does AutoZone sell anything compatible that they don't know of? Any suggestions? Help?![?]

flyboyike · 09-06-2005, 12:46 PM

Hydraulic fluid and P/S fluid are not the same thing. You do need special hydrauli fluid for the self levelling suspension. Here it is:

http://www.performanceproducts4benz.com/ProductPage.aspx?pid=103438&name=Hydraulic+Suspens ion+Fluid&type=10

panzerwagon_350slc · 09-06-2005, 02:48 PM

Thanx for the reply. I guess I dont have to worry about the hydraulic fluid in this case since the self-leveling was disabled. P/S fluid....any recommendations?

flyboyike · 09-06-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

panzerwagon_350slc - 9/6/2005 4:48 PM

Thanx for the reply. I guess I dont have to worry about the hydraulic fluid in this case since the self-leveling was disabled. P/S fluid....any recommendations?

Check your owner's manual, I think it specifies one of the Dexron variants.

Kestas · 09-07-2005, 10:06 AM

I recommend using power steering fluid instead of Dexron. Dexron III has additives that may be too tough on a 1988 vehicle. Power steering fluid is the same thing without the additives. I just had a conversation this morning about this subject with an automotive seal engineer who verified this. He designs seals for power steering systems. Back in 1988, engineers had no way of knowing that Dexron would evolve into the formulation that it is today.