Mixing two types of steering fluids
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
Mixing two types of steering fluids
I have a 2009 E350. The manual says the steering pump fluid is "Mercedes Power Steering Fluid" and in brackets under that ( Chevron/Texaco PSF 9109). The is no mention of Pentosin in the manual.
I went to the dealer with the manual with the intent to purchase the fluid that's in the book ( since I could not source it otherwise ). The parts guy came out with the blue can (Pentosin).
I told him this is green in color and the one in the car seems honey colored.
They did their research and gave me a printout that the Pentosin CHF 11s can be used in my car and in fact their service department tops off using it.
I raised my eyebrows about that The can says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. So what's the deal here? I am inclined to do a flush and then replace with Pentosin. Someone care to chime in on this?
By the way the fluid in the reservoir looks very clean.
I went to the dealer with the manual with the intent to purchase the fluid that's in the book ( since I could not source it otherwise ). The parts guy came out with the blue can (Pentosin).
I told him this is green in color and the one in the car seems honey colored.
They did their research and gave me a printout that the Pentosin CHF 11s can be used in my car and in fact their service department tops off using it.
I raised my eyebrows about that The can says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. So what's the deal here? I am inclined to do a flush and then replace with Pentosin. Someone care to chime in on this?
By the way the fluid in the reservoir looks very clean.
Last edited by paul ram; Mar 1, 2014 at 02:24 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,636
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
211 can use either Q1460001 non-synthetic (when new, light yellow) or Pentosin Q1320001 synthetic (green) deciding factor is cost Q146 is cheaper Q132 is required for for vehicles equipped with ABC (211 does not have ABC). I would not mix fluids - your call.
BTW search for "Pentosin": https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...id-colour.html
BTW search for "Pentosin": https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...id-colour.html
Last edited by konigstiger; Mar 1, 2014 at 04:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
Not mixing is what I was thinking..so I will run pentosin through and hopefully I will get most of the original stuff out. Cant believe the dealer tops off with Pentosin in a non pentosin car. Maybe there is more to the story. What is the other one you mentioned..a MB product as well? Perhaps that's the one in the grey plastic bottle labeled Mercedes power steering fluid ?
Last edited by paul ram; Mar 1, 2014 at 03:55 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,636
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
I think the best thing to do here is get the service record , as I am the third owner, to see if a flush was done previously and what it was replaced with. I have read elsewhere that with time the green colored pentosin does not stay green . When I dip a q tip and hold it up to the light the drop at the tip does look honey colored , letting me think its not pentosin. perhaps if another member could chime in and let me have an idea as to what their fluid looks like, assuming of course that pentosin is what is in their system. This morning was cool enough here in S.FL and the tip of the dipstick was just barely wet with fluid. However when I got back from an errand the level , now hot fluid , was at the minimum for the 20degree cooler level . So I could do with a top up .At the moment everything seems fine as far as the steering is concerned. The parts guy at the dealership was really pushing the pentosin saying if I used the other one then my seals would be ruined. For the moment I will hold off adding anything till I am certain.Regards
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
I am taking a sample of the fluid to the service department so they can tell me for sure which one I have in my system. I will not mix . My understanding is that the pentosin is synthetic and the other is not. Besides there is wording on the pentosin can that says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. If I recall , there isn't a requirement to flush the system for any of the particular fluids unless there is a fluid loss for any reason and a repair is done . Nevertheless I would not mind siphoning as much as I can out of the reservoir and topping off. That's just me.
Last edited by paul ram; Mar 2, 2014 at 11:59 PM.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I am taking a sample of the fluid to the service department so they can tell me for sure which one I have in my system. I will not mix . My understanding is that the pentosin is synthetic and the other is not. Besides there is wording on the pentosin can that says do not mix with other hydraulic fluid. If I recall , there isn't a requirement to flush the system for any of the particular fluids unless there is a fluid loss for any reason and a repair is done . Nevertheless I would not mind siphoning as much as I can out of the reservoir and topping off. That's just me.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
This from the service department!
Well,
The service department says it is Pentosin from the sample taken from my reservoir. The color changed that much over 5 years , from a green to a dark honey color. I think I am going to flush as much fluid out of the system with pentosin , just in case.
The service department says it is Pentosin from the sample taken from my reservoir. The color changed that much over 5 years , from a green to a dark honey color. I think I am going to flush as much fluid out of the system with pentosin , just in case.
Last edited by paul ram; Mar 4, 2014 at 10:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
2009 E350 Sport
Color Confirmed...it CHF-11s , pentosin!
I was able to take a sample from a 2006 BMW 325i that had pentosin in its steering pump reservoir. The color was identical to what's in mine. So its time for a flush !!
