mistertonyn

I just checked the level of Power Steering fluid (engine cold) and the level of the fluid is not even touching the dipstick. I can see in the reservoir that the fluid level is probably slightly under the dipstick...so it is not extremely low or bone dry.

1/will the computer at some point give me a message that it is low?
2/just replenish to correct level or flush out old fluid and then replenish?
3/fluid has to be MB brand?

thanks,
1999 E320 sedan
80K miles (original power steering fluid..never been replenished or flushed..first time I am seeing it on the low side).

lkchris

No computer measure of power steering fluid.

saintz

You won't notice until it's grinding dry.

You could refill, but it's worth flushing. The steering rack will thank you.

MB Fluid will work much better. If you're down a teaspoon, you could top off with Autozone brand and get away with it. But it's worth paying the 20 bucks to get real MB fluid, flush, and refill. I would not attempt to change more than a few capfuls unless you're using MB brand or Pentosin (should be equivalent).

tmandel

Hmmm, what's the recommended interval for flushing/refilling the PS fluid?

tirona

mb doesn't really have an interval for replacing power steering fluid. in my e320 i replaced it last year, and that's probably the first and last time i will do it in that car. wouldn't hurt though to replace it more often. i think some car manufacturers advice replacing it every 4 or 5 years/ or 50k miles but i'm not sure.

mistertonyn

it should be suction out using a low-tech turkey baster.
Then refill with MB steering fluid.

No "LOW fluid" warning sensor for this reservoir so I will be checking this more often in the future.

mistertonyn

from factory is synthetic or non-synthetic.
Went to autohauz and there are 3 choices to choose from.
Can anyone beat me to my owner's manual (which is somewhere in the house)?

JonMBZ

it uses non synthetic Q-1-46-0001 MB one is like 10 bucks
cars that started production 2000+ that were not built in the US use a synthetic fluid.


Power steering fluid
old style non synth. Q-1-46-0001 210,208,170,126,163,463,251,202,164
New Style/Hydraulic Fluid Q-1-32-0001 171,203,209,211,215,219,220,221,230,204,212,207

saintz

Turkey baster will work to get some fluid out, but the best method is to flush the whole system by filling the reservoir while running the engine and dumping the return line into a waste container.

mistertonyn

So with the engine idling... the steering fluid is continuously circulating inside the reservoir without any motion from the steering wheel? I am trying to visualize how this work so I can flush it correctly.

Also Thanks JonMBZ for the fluid part numbers.

saintz

The pump should run slowly when the engine is on. It will run very fast when you turn the wheel. This is probably a 2 person job. Make sure the other person can shut the engine off quickly so you don't run the pump dry.