automatic transmission oil for 280E

[Gordon Baker]

does anyone know if I need to use a special ATF for my 1979 280E 123 series and if so what is the best oil?

 

[rapide]

ATF

Hi just ordinary ATF dexron mineral oil , it was dexron 1 when yours was made then 2 then 3 , cheap from any motor factor by the gallon! any make will do its all the same! buy it off e-bay as well! it was made to run on this stuff not synthetic etc dont waste your money! you can just drop it out and refill at major service to keep it fresh its cheap! good old box! Happy driving!

 

[MechPhil]

I agree. Don't waste money on synthetic stuff, in fact often when the seals and other components in the box were designed for mineral oils, synthetic can do more damage than good. Remember that the 'box has a filter. If you do change the oil, it's a good idea to change the filter. When you buy a filter get a sump gasket too, and DON'T OVERTIGHTEN THE SUMP BOLTS!!!

Excellent car, take good care of it! I sold my 123 200 for a deposit on a house. The douse doesn't drive as nicely though!!

Phil

 

[MechPhil]

I will say this though: Buy a reputable brand of regular ATF.

When working exclusively on powersteering some years ago, (most p/s systems use plain ATF as hydrailc fluid) we found that two specific brands of extremely cheap ATF available in South Africa at the time would cause damage to p/s pumps.

Customers would come in saying that they had just topped up the fluid with the cheap stuff and three days after the pump became noisy. Upon stripping, we would see score marks on clutches, vanes and stators.

These specific brands were also a different hue of pink. I suspect it was actually a different (cheaper) type of clear oil that was coloured to look like ATF.

Phil