Trans fluid type??? - Benzworld.org

300sd · 10-18-2007, 07:48 AM

1: Are the trans the same in 420's and 300sd?

2: What type of Trans fluid is the best for these Cars?

Thanks

NKJohn · 10-18-2007, 08:57 AM

I believe it is the same for both. Our transmissions take Dexron II/III fluid, or if want to get fancy, Febi ATF. I used Pennzoil Dexron III fluid last fluid change and it is performing flawlessly.
John

300sd · 10-18-2007, 09:42 AM

I don't know when it was changed last but but i have a slight flare when shifting. hoping it will be improved when changed.

Has anyone put magnets at the bottom to catch extra "grind"?

benzwag · 10-18-2007, 10:05 AM

Transmission is basically the same but has certain different parts. Fluid is the same. Dexron III/Mercon is the stuff. Some say Pennzoil or Chevron is marginally better than other stuff, but it is pretty much all the same. Note that recently GM and Ford, owners of the Dexron and Mercon trademarks, stopped licensing the names for Dexron III/Mercon. Names are only used for Dexron VI/Mercon V now, which are partially synthetic and more expensive. Some of these are supposedly backwardly compatible with Dexron III, but it is not clear that they are compatible with MB trannies and MB has not endorsed them. But some makers (I have seen both Pennzoil, at Walmart,and Chevron, at Costco) sell "ATF", with a notation on the bottle that it is "for use in cars previously serviced with Dexron III/Mercon fluids". I believe this is the same as the old Dexron III/Mercon stuff (comes in similar packaging too) and it is what I am using. Charlie

NüR-SPEC · 10-18-2007, 10:35 AM

if the trans on a OM617 and an M116 are the same, that would be news to me...

btw, ATF means Automatic Transmission Fluid. it's not a new brand or anything. the 300SD and 420 use dex/merc III

DO ONT use anything else. and DO NOT use any kind of synthetic ATF.

300sd · 10-18-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NüR-SPEC

DO NOT use any kind of synthetic ATF.

Is synthetic not as good? I was trying to use all syn. in the car to cut wear.

NüR-SPEC · 10-18-2007, 12:09 PM

use syn in the transmission and you be stuck in park until you do a tranny flush. you have to use the ATF made for the transmission. the newer dex.merc V and VI syn are desinged for another transmission which does not function the same as the trans in you mercedes. it will inhibit friction on the clutch plates and it will not be capable of shifting into any gear.

markusfmeyer · 10-18-2007, 12:15 PM

You must be kidding Nur-Spec?

300sd · 10-18-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NüR-SPEC

use syn in the transmission and you be stuck in park until you do a tranny flush. you have to use the ATF made for the transmission. the newer dex.merc V and VI syn are desinged for another transmission which does not function the same as the trans in you mercedes. it will inhibit friction on the clutch plates and it will not be capable of shifting into any gear.

That makes sense i guess

NüR-SPEC · 10-18-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markusfmeyer

You must be kidding Nur-Spec?

umm.. go try it out if you don't believe me. ATF is much more delicate than motor oil. engine oil is just a lubricant, but ATF is a bit more complex. it has to operate components by means of pressure. modern transmissions operate differently from what you'll find in a W126.