I haven't really seen what Mercedes says, when I looked last night, their website was down, but the various threads I read when I did my power steering fluid suggested not to use the modern Dextron stuff because of additional additives for the transmission clutches. Our favorite youtube mechanic Kent just posted a video yesterday about the same issue. I just use Mercedes or Febi power steering fluid because that's what those threads have suggested. Here's one such thread:

Is DEXRON OK in power steering

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

the steering uses this oil for hydraulic motive and the reason ATF is specified is that power steering fluid does not follow any performance specification.

This clause opens a can of worms. the generic power clear/amber power steering fluid you buy from stores is nothing more than ISO46 oil, ATF has defined standards - and mercedes benz chose that because it works perfectly and can be understood easily even at the african trading post in the sahara and also understood at autozone and works like prescribed.

When MB went to the modern super low visosity pentosin oil - they only did so to up the fuel economy numbers and also deem it filled for life (filled for life is very welcome by accountants and lease owners alike). A lot of older BMWs using that are now on ATF fill and some are even on ISO32 hydraulic oil without issues.

Toyota are also in the same boat as mercedes benz when it comes to PSF, the original fill is an amber colored liquid which smells like motor oil, the cap says dexron ATF. If you want to buy replacement fluid they sell you their usual red atf

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I would suggest look up the data sheet of the lubro moly lenkgetriebe oil, - it says its equal ATF DII (GM dropped licensing) - but also says its amber.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I'll check with NAPA first to see if they have it; online might be cheaper, but once the shipping gets added, it might be substantially more than NAPA.

EDIT: Still trying to post pictures, no luck.

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1991 300E 124.030 103.983KE 722358 03 412178
207K

1979 240D 123.123 250K (Project car)

2000 Ford Ranger, 187K

2015 Dodge Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 37K

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

I found this out, it is for the old type W124 like i have. I only use Mercedes Benz fluids in engine gearbox and power steering . Just sorted it out ... The workshop manual said to use special fluid as the cars are 4x4 dampers and they run off the same system and fluid has the pas pump.. So all are right to use atf.

The special fluid is for the SLS (suspension system, or ASR locking diff (diesel only in US), or 4matic all-wheel-drive (gas only in US), not for power steering. Power steering has a can on top of the PS pump, the hydraulic fluid goes into a plastic tank in the engine bay.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Stretch - Those specs say to use ATF Type A Suffix A for our power steering. Are those out of an old owner's manual? MB Recommended fluids are here (but site is currently down). PS fluids were hidden under ATFs last time I looked.

Problem we have is that Type A Suffix A ATF to the original specs is virtually unobtainable here. Current ATFs that claim to meet the old GM Dex II & III are not the same as Type A but also apparently not the same as even they were back when cars were built.

Power steering fluids can also no doubt vary a lot. Some are dino, some synthetic and they say not to mix. They do claim to have additives that reduce steering box wear and reduce seal leakage.

Could another factor in different specs be the change to rack & pinion on modern cars?

We had a long discussion about PS fluids on BW 107 forum, but no clear resolution except perhaps that Dextron II/III type ATF will work, but steering box may wear out or leak prematurely.]That is what Kent at mercedes source said and it started the BW discussion.

For my 85 and 72, I usually use generic Prestone Power steering fluid just because it is readily available here.- They have many types (just to confuse us) including one for Mercedes/BMW etc that is probably synthetic like the MB fluid and perhaps better suited for later cars. I assume our cars need same as early American cars from back then so I buy the basic type.

One of these days, we will get the definitive answer on this question - but we are not there yet!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

the dexron II III friction modifiers are for slippage on the clutch materials. the steering will never have any use of them.

Our old cars can use generic clear prestone/walmart/etc power steering fluid in them too - its basic hydraulic oil but is thicker at low temperature, ATF on the other hand is usually thinner than regular hydraulic oil when cold but is pretty much the same as hydraulic oil at full operating temperature.

If you claim not to find type A fluid - then type F is readily available everyday, very similar blending.

I too was once quite confused in this - but eventually just read on the material sheets and followed them - and add to the point that outside of USA you cannot find generic power steering fluid easily (GM spec etc sold on shelves in USA). I can bet you that the entire moroccan fleet of W123 were not using any "lenkgetreibe" oil or fancy power steering fluid. All of them would be sporting blood red ATF.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

NAPA have it usually. it comes in a 1 litre bottle. Some toyota owners also buy that to keep the "amber" color in the steering system.

MAG1 has a PSF that they claim to work on anything (including Honda), its characteristics really mimic that of ATF - except this oil is undyed and has something in it that promotes rapid air expulsion.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Hmmm happened to come by this thread and started reading the replies and I too thought that I read that ATF was ok in the PSP, even in the Haynes manual it states that ATF (Dex II) can be used as well as a MB service manual. However I just resealed my PSP a month or so ago and I have noticed that it is leaking. So I thought I did something wrong and took it apart again and resealed with new seals. Same issue. I went and bought another pump at a junk yard and cleaned it up and fox the seals on that and it's still leaking. I am running ATF DEX II in my PSP. I went and got my ownersowner's manual and it doesn't state anywhere in the manual or on the approved fluids to use ATF in the PSP. It says to use MB power steering fluid 000 989 88 03

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1990 190E 3.0L

I am looking at a W126 OM that says "Automatic transmission fluid for power steering 1" and the foot note 1 says " any MERCEDES-BENZ service station will advise you on recommended brands." Noting about Type A, Type F dex anything. Hard to believe that any ATF produced 30 years later isn't good enough Add some stop leak if you have a problem?

ATF makes for a spectacular car fire.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

The ATF produced 30 years later isn't the same ATF produced now. It's not made for steering boxes.

Use power steering fluid.

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

its seems to be quite confusing - Im assuming folks are wanting to put in the clear PSF from mcparts stores, it will work too.

If you guys want a bottle of very good ATF that says "power steering fluid" right on it then buy a quart of Ford motorcraft mercon V, it literally claims Automatic transmission and power steering fluid on it.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)