Hi, I just bought a 1989 Mercedes 260E with 118K miles on it.  I'd
like to switch to Mobil 1 automatic transmission fluid but I want to
make sure the ATF is safe and beneficial to use in the automatic
transmission.  Please indicate your credentials with the response.

Hi danowens...

I just called the local Mercedes Dealer's
service center and spoke with the manager.
I gave him your car model and mileage, then
asked if no other prior mechanical faults
existed, is it ok and accepted by Mercedes
to do a fluid change to Mobil 1 Synthetic
ATF. He said, "as long as the type of ATF
fluid type is the same, there would be no
problems and it would be fine to use."

So, as long as the 'ATF type' is the same
as what is recommended for your vehicle, a
synthetic will be fine. This would have
been my independent statement as well,
but I wanted a certified Mercedes mechanic
to back me up on its safety of use. 
You never know when a car company stuffs
a strange seal in somewhere :)

The thing to look for when you add
anything to an automatic transmission
is if there are friction modifiers.
Those are typically a bad idea, unless
the transmission is designed for it.
With 188k on it, the last thing you
want to do is change the internal
fluid pressures and forces.

As a side note... a synthetic fluid
will only help mechanical parts from
the moment you add them, onwards. So
having such extreme miles on the car
might only preserve a minimal amount
of miles before next service interval.
If cost is a factor, I wouldn't say
a change to SynATF would be any more
beneficial than frequent fluid changes.


You requested the credentials:
Mercedes-Benz Center 
Thousand Oaks, CA
(805)371-5400

and my credentials are over 16 years
in engine building, car crafting,
computerized engine diagnostics,
drag racing and road-course racing.



-=search techniques=-
Call to local Mercedes Dealer


thanks for your question,
-AI

---

Clarification of Answer by alienintelligence-ga on 26 Dec 2003 14:02 PST

Sorry, excuse the misprint on the 118k,
I'm certain I said the correct mileage
when I was on the phone.

I apologize for not initially answering
with the 'correct type' of Mobil 1, if
you notice though, you didn?t request
that info in your original question. 

Since I like to be thorough,
I called back the Mercedes 
service center? this time told
them for sure 118k, and asked
which type of fluid was required
and the gentleman said any of
the Dexron Type II or Type III,
fluids would be fine for that
model. I also asked once again
if using a Mobil 1 Synthetic
ATF of that type would be fine,
and he said it would.

Please in the future if you have
any issues with an answer ask
for a clarification first, so we can 
satisfy your question.


thanks,
-AI

Good information, but before I change the fluid, I still need to find
out which "ATF type" is recommended for an '89 Mercedes 260E.  I still
don't know for sure if it's OK to use or not.  Apparently Chrysler ATF
cannot be substituted w/ Mobil 1 ATF so I wanted to be extra sure the
Mobil 1 would work fine and that it's not the same as the Chrysler
fluid.

The mileage I have currently is 118K, not 188K.