ABC + Power Steering Service Questions
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
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From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
ABC + Power Steering Service Questions
Getting ready to perform this combo service on my recently acquired 2005 S55 and had a few questions:
1. Since the systems share a pump, is there a preferred order to which one is serviced first?
2. I have 10L of fluid for the ABC service. How much additional fluid is needed for the PS service?
3. Some vendors are recommending a 2-filter approach for the ABC service. Is this the current best practice? I will be using the AGA ABC tool so if anything, the initial replacement filter would need be changed out after the flush is complete and the vehicle is driven a bit.
Appreciate any input on this.
1. Since the systems share a pump, is there a preferred order to which one is serviced first?
2. I have 10L of fluid for the ABC service. How much additional fluid is needed for the PS service?
3. Some vendors are recommending a 2-filter approach for the ABC service. Is this the current best practice? I will be using the AGA ABC tool so if anything, the initial replacement filter would need be changed out after the flush is complete and the vehicle is driven a bit.
Appreciate any input on this.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 282
Likes: 66
From: Virginia Beach
2005 S600 2005 SL600
The systems share a pump - but the fluid paths are separate. So, choose whichever order suits you. Watch out for the PS system. It will pump out the fluid faster than you can add. I am a fan of vacuum out reservoir, fill, start engine, turn wheels, stop engine (almost immediately) and repeat a few times. It will only take a few iterations for the fluid to be nearly completely exchanged. I'd budget 2L for the PS system.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 341
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
The systems share a pump - but the fluid paths are separate. So, choose whichever order suits you. Watch out for the PS system. It will pump out the fluid faster than you can add. I am a fan of vacuum out reservoir, fill, start engine, turn wheels, stop engine (almost immediately) and repeat a few times. It will only take a few iterations for the fluid to be nearly completely exchanged. I'd budget 2L for the PS system.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 341
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
To follow-up, a few observations:
-The AGA tool is neither compatible nor needed for earlier ABC systems.
-Cleanliness is critical. Before opening anything, I prepped the reservoir area via compressed air, a shop vac and cleaning away anything I could with a clean towel and rubbing alcohol.
-Siphoning fluid out of the reservoir is absolutely imperative as it holds a substantial amount of fluid. After drawing out the dirty fluid, I added 0.5L of clean fluid and extracted once more.
-Activating the ABC system via Xentry will make this job significantly easier.
-When refilling, the reservoir empties quickly. Have your containers open in advance and be fully focused while refilling.
-It took around 7.5L of fresh fluid being cycled for the fluid draining out to be clean. Perhaps the first step with the reservoir cut down on how much fluid is needed.
Next Steps:
-I'm going to change the filter again after ~100 miles. Especially considering the upgrade to the newer 3 micron filter, it's an inexpensive safeguard.
-Moving forward, this will be a 20-25K mile service for me.
-The AGA tool is neither compatible nor needed for earlier ABC systems.
-Cleanliness is critical. Before opening anything, I prepped the reservoir area via compressed air, a shop vac and cleaning away anything I could with a clean towel and rubbing alcohol.
-Siphoning fluid out of the reservoir is absolutely imperative as it holds a substantial amount of fluid. After drawing out the dirty fluid, I added 0.5L of clean fluid and extracted once more.
-Activating the ABC system via Xentry will make this job significantly easier.
-When refilling, the reservoir empties quickly. Have your containers open in advance and be fully focused while refilling.
-It took around 7.5L of fresh fluid being cycled for the fluid draining out to be clean. Perhaps the first step with the reservoir cut down on how much fluid is needed.
Next Steps:
-I'm going to change the filter again after ~100 miles. Especially considering the upgrade to the newer 3 micron filter, it's an inexpensive safeguard.
-Moving forward, this will be a 20-25K mile service for me.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 60
From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Does anyone recognized this bright yellow power steering fluid? It's the one in the middle. 
What is my best option if I can't find out what it is? Suction out and replace with MB power steering fluid or Pentosin 11S?
What is my best option if I can't find out what it is? Suction out and replace with MB power steering fluid or Pentosin 11S?
Last edited by DrDoe; Jun 22, 2020 at 12:20 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 60
From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Autohaus listed 11S as OEM fluid and it's 2/3 cheaper than MB synthesis hydraulic so I guess I'm going with the recommended 11S. Thank you.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
IMHO, with over 50 years of technical/professional involvement with lubricants manufacturing , technical service, and USE, I STRONGLY SUGGEST:
Lubricants are CHEAP CHEAP compared to the cost of parts they protect.
Follow the current manufacturer recommendations--unless you have a definite improvement to use (like DEXRON VI over earlier version.
USE ONLY PREMIUM quality products. 'Names' are licensed to lube blenders, and not everyone does the best for customers.
Change lubricants before they "need to be changed", wear out, get dirty, get wet. Auto manufacturers change intervals ARE MUCH TO LONG. ('survive through warranty period, then crater.) You will always be much better off by changing lubes, filters, brake fluids, coolants twice as often as 'Owner Manual' intervals.
WIX makes much better filters than most everyone else.'Name Brand' [even OEM ] are not necessarily better. 'BIG' filter names are not best. RESEARCH
CLEANLINESS is VITAL for best service and component protection.
Hydraulic oils DO WEAR OUT. While they don't have combustion by-products to deal with, the ADDITIVES in them DO WEAR OUT. Anti-wear, anti-corrosion, anti-foam,friction modifiers, seal conditioners, anti-oxidation, anti-rust, etc.
Lubricants are CHEAP CHEAP compared to the cost of parts they protect.
Follow the current manufacturer recommendations--unless you have a definite improvement to use (like DEXRON VI over earlier version.
USE ONLY PREMIUM quality products. 'Names' are licensed to lube blenders, and not everyone does the best for customers.
Change lubricants before they "need to be changed", wear out, get dirty, get wet. Auto manufacturers change intervals ARE MUCH TO LONG. ('survive through warranty period, then crater.) You will always be much better off by changing lubes, filters, brake fluids, coolants twice as often as 'Owner Manual' intervals.
WIX makes much better filters than most everyone else.'Name Brand' [even OEM ] are not necessarily better. 'BIG' filter names are not best. RESEARCH
CLEANLINESS is VITAL for best service and component protection.
Hydraulic oils DO WEAR OUT. While they don't have combustion by-products to deal with, the ADDITIVES in them DO WEAR OUT. Anti-wear, anti-corrosion, anti-foam,friction modifiers, seal conditioners, anti-oxidation, anti-rust, etc.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 60
From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
I looked up power steering fluid for W222 S65 and it listed CHF 202 as OEM. The color is either clear or green and not yellow. CHF 202 is priced lower than CHS 11S so price alone can't be the best judgment. I guess I can't go wrong with either CHF 11S or MB...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,151
Likes: 533
Mercedes
Best place to get chf11s is fcpeuro
they have a lifetime warranty on Everything including all oil and fluid
save your old fluid in the containers and the next time you need to order fluid , you buy it from fcpeuro and send them the old stuff for a refund
https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee
they have a lifetime warranty on Everything including all oil and fluid
save your old fluid in the containers and the next time you need to order fluid , you buy it from fcpeuro and send them the old stuff for a refund
https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 341
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
In many cases, the cost of shipping outweighs the benefit of a replacement under the warranty. Personally, I never ship anything back. Generally head to Boston a few times a year and plan a stop to FCP on the way there to drop off items for any claims.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 31
S55 AMG
FCP euro works because it gives people peace of mind. Even though someone may order a component that was faulty on their car, that component may not fail for another 10 years before needing to be replaced. Also people don't bother sending oil and filters back because it is cheap enough where they rather buy it from a local parts store and not spend money and hassle/messiness on shipping oils.
I still order from there anyways - their prices are not marked up because of the lifetime warranty and they also have very good service and staff. Also that lifetime warranty does indeed work as a peace of mind even though it will rarely be used.
I still order from there anyways - their prices are not marked up because of the lifetime warranty and they also have very good service and staff. Also that lifetime warranty does indeed work as a peace of mind even though it will rarely be used.
