I picked up some Valvoline Max Life Dexron III, Mercon, the other day (recommended to me at Autozone). It's advertised as "New for higher mileage transmissions." Interestingly, the packaging shows an odometer with 75,000 miles same as my car. Anyway, I'm getting ready to change the fluid, but I'm a little nervouse about using this "new" stuff and may take it back for one of the products on Mercedes' approved list. I'd appreciate your comments. Also, is Dextron III, the same thing across all brands? My Mercedes shop advised using any major brand Dextron II, which I guess means Dextron III.
Jerry

Valvoline also came out with a "Max Life" motor oil that supposedly benefits older engines. They claim it reduces oil consumption in engines with fatigued valve stem seals. I'm not sure I understand how a lubricant can be modified to reduce it's getting past worn seals? Sounds a little like the hair shampoo commercial that claimed "it only gets to where it needs to be".

Sorry for getting side-tracked, but I'd be interested in knowing how Valvoline has suddenly come up with better potions for older engines, trannies, etc.

Who knows? Maybe they have.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

Valvolines Max Life does sound a little like snake oil. I went to their web site and I could not find any proof by product testing. The oil and ATF have additives that are probably similar to or the same as stuff you can buy independently to add to oil and transmission fluid (e.g., seal conditioners). I guess the major question is: will it do damage to my 722.3 transmission or be neutral and work as any Dexron/Mercon ATF product. Being a low-risk taker, I'm going to pick up one of the recommended products.