500SEC v8 original transmission fluid spec?

[Somebody]

Hello everybody. My first post here (no doubt many to come). I am completely new to classic Benzes, having just bought a 500sec. I am originally from the US and am used to GM and Ford v8s from the big-block era. However it looks like I have now successfully been converted to Mercedes, since my friend suggested I try a Benz v8.

So I am working through getting this car up to date on all of it's maintenance (which looks like it hasn't happened for quiet a while!). I am basically gonna go ahead and change EVERYTHING, including of course the tranny fluid and filter.

My question is, what's the original spec for it's tranny fluid? DII? DIII? Or something exotic? I ordered a manual but it's not arrived yet, and so far all I have is the handbook that came with it, which, very usefully (not) says 'automatic transmission fluid for automatic transmissions'. No specs.

I would assume something like this needs DIII, but I am really not sure.

Also, is there a procedure for emptying the transmission properly? I know on a lot of cars there are different ways to empty them, ranging from draining it with the engine running in a certain shifter position, to completely disassembling them. Whats the trick to getting all the fluid out of them in a 500?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SL300-24]

I think DII was the original spec, but DIII would be okay. Warm the gearbox with a 20 minute drive, drain the sump pan by removing the drain plug, drop the pan, 27mm socket on front crank pulley and move the torque converter round until you see the convertor drain plug (use a mirror). Drain the converter as this holds more fluid than the sump pan. Clean the pan with a lint free cloth (microfibre is good) Change filter (3 screws)
Replace washers on both drain plugs, new gasket and very importantly torque the sump pan bolts to the correct torque (very low 12NM?) please check. Refill fluid via the gearbox dipstick tube.

 

[Somebody]

Thanks very much for that info! So I need the following items:

-About 8 liters of DII or DIII (its 7.something according to the manual). Ill just get 10 anyways since they usually sold in packs of 5 liters. The power steering fluid looks really old and is yellow (?!) so hopefully the spare left over atf will go to replace that.
-New pan gasket
-New filter
-Main drain plug sealing washer
-Converter drain plug sealing washer

Correct so far?

Do you happen to know where I can get the sealing washers from? Are they just generic washers (copper, or compound steel/rubber?) or are they specific parts?

Thanks!

 

[grober]

They are plain copper IRRC . Use the pukka MB power steering fluid part no 000 989 88 03 for a litre if memory serves correct. - I know ATF is similar but best to use the correct stuff. There's possibly a filter in the PS reservoir worth changing at the same time. Be careful not to fracture the plastic level indicator insert as they can be brittle with time.

 

[Somebody]

I didn't know there was a separate power steering fluid. In the handbook it just said ATF.

OK, well I will get all that stuff and get it done. Thanks for the help.

 

[SL300-24]

Get the correct washers from Mercedes. They are different one is copper and the other is alloy? or similar. They cost pennies.
I would use genine gasket and filter too. The whole lot is about £35 from Mercedes.