curtis73

I have a 99 W210 turbodiesel that needs a tranny drain and fill. I know there has to be a cheaper, viable alternative to the million-dollar MB tranny fluid. What others can safely be used? There is a synthetic blend I found that says its MB approved, but what's the real, pragmatic, actual word on the street?

JonMBZ

do you have a factory approved service book in your owners manual ? It gives you a list of ones you can use as an alternative.

Gullwing

You can get MB fluid for around $10 a quart online, not sure how much cheaper anything else is going to be.

curtis73

I can get semi-synthetic fluid that is approved for MB for $4.88 a quart, but "approved" doesn't mean that it actually works well. I can get MB fluid for $8.93 at my local dealer and I don't mind the extra few bucks, but I'm just not willing to pay nearly double the price if there is an equally viable alternative.

The other concern is that I've been thrust into a management position at a shop that does the R&R on trannys, but someone else does the rebuilds. I'm sure that we'll have a benz in here soon enough and I'd like to know viable alternatives to the MB fluid in addition to knowing what will work in my own.

curtis73

Nope... didn't even have an owner's manual until I found one in a junkyard. What does it say about alternatives?

Gullwing

If it was my transmission I would only use MB fluid, I would not even think about using other stuff. I don't know of any aftermarket fluid that is ok or just as good, but I have not gone out looking for any either.

curtis73

I know what you mean. I never trust factory literature. Its possible that MB fluid is the only possibility because of some formulation thing, but my Ford manual also says that I should only use Motorcraft oil filters. We all know that there are better filters available, not just the one that lines Ford's pockets.

I'm hoping to find out if the MB fluid is best because that's what MB says, or if its actually required because its the only one that meets the physical and chemical requirements of the MB tranny. For instance, I could go through life using just Delco oil in my chevy, but I happen to know that Mobil1 is a better oil and far exceeds what the engine needs. Just trying to figure out what it is about the MB tranny fluid that makes everyone use it.

vettdvr

Cost of new Transmission VS cost of fluid to change . UMMM

This would seem to be an easy choice.

TMAllison

3 approved products meeting 236.14 and another meeting the prior spec which is suitable for your trans; none of which will be easy to locate.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...d.php?t=254556

curtis73

Thanks Allison... exactly the info I was seeking. Looks like I'll stick with MB. Grr. Chaps my butt to pay $9 a quart when I can get full synthetic that says its approved for MB for $4.88/qt.

Gullwing

Forget about the 4 bucks a quart, it works best and you lose more money then that without realizing it all the time.