Transmission fluid

[Jimbo]

My 280 is leaking a little fluid and I needed to add some, my problem is that every auto parts store I call tells me that they don't know what fluid to use it's to old to find it in there computers, so I put a little dex in her today but I have know clue if this is what it needs,any help thanks

[Big_Richard]

dexron II is the correct fluid to use, and failing that dexron III is backwards compatible.

[Jimbo]

dexron II is the correct fluid to use, and failing that dexron III is backwards compatible.

humm.. I should have been more clear, what I have used is Valvoline DEX/MERC and on the back of the bottle it says "exceeds performance requirements of GM DEXRON-III, and all previous DEXRON standards"

What brand do you guys use anyone use synthetic fluid?? Can I run Royal Purple or any Lucas in the trany??

[goldacre]

Hi Folks, just had my transmission serviced and power steering box rebuilt by Automac here in Perth, Doug who has worked with MB transmissions for 30 years has this to say about transmission fluids:

Doug - "Dextron II was used in the days of your model Merc (12/1979) although this is getting hard to find so Dextron III is just as good"

G "So if you had a choice you would use Dextron II?"

Doug "No no, the only difference is the Dextron III oil is slightly upgraded to work better with the modern transmissions electrics"

G "tops"

I have never used synthetic oils and this came about when they were advertising the great benefits of synthetic brake fluid some time back which turned out to cause the oil seals in the brakes of older cars to curl up and die 

Also the benefits of synthetics is marginal in my opinion as i do not race my 450SEL (and then theres the cost  ) i stick with Valvoline engine oil and a reputable brand of transmission oil (starting with Valvoline  )

G 

[oscar]

I use Castrol Transmax M.. Checked out Transmax Z and Castrol's TQ DexronIII as well but from what I could tell on the back of the packs Transmax M was the way to go in that brand.

In the manuals it says to check out the "Specifications for Service Products" page 236.4. TransmaxM says something about Mercedes approved P236.7.   I'm guessing page or "P" refer to the same sheet numbers in the following site http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/bevo-sheets-sort1.html but there is no 236.4 so I'm not sure what to look for in that reference list.

Has anyone got the Specifications for Service Products booklet and can quote from the data sheet/s for w116s?

[stumps]

Hi Oscar, yes I too noticed the lack of 236.4 spec reference anywhere, other than the manual. I started thinking maybe it was a misprint or simply superceded by 236.7 etal. Would be good to get this cleared up if anyone knew.

I also recently spoke to Castrol Tech Support gurus on what they recommend and they were quite confident that Transmax M is a 'near perfect' oil for these Merc transmissions (although mine is the K4A040)..same spec reference.