Manual Transmission Fluid Type

[paults1]

I need to change out the fluid in my manual, 4 speed, transmission. The specs. call for automatic transmission fluid type A. Is it OK to use the more modern types, e.g. Dexron II,II-E, or III or Dexron/Mercon fluids? Searching the internet I found that the Warren Oil Co. still makes the Type A. There is probably others companies also. I believe the previous owner must have used 90W oil as it is a brown color, not red. I would appreciate feed back on this before I proceed.

Regards, Paul '63 230SL

[George Davis]

Paul,

I tried Type A ATF, Dexron III, and Redline D4 Synthetic ATF.  Didn't notice any difference between Type A and Dex III, but the box shifted slightly better with the Redline D4.  After rebuilding the 'box I put in Dex III, it works fine.  I'll still switch to D4 before long, but overall it doesn't seem to make much difference which type ATF you use.  I tried gear oil, too, and that was definitely not the way to go, so hopefully switching to ATF will improve shifting for you.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[waqas]

I've been using Mobil-1 synthetic ATF for the past few years now with great results. Both my 113 and 111-coupe manual transmissions shift very smoothly.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas