Oh crap.
This is an oil thread. I was trying to answer the question.
This is a Fluids canned response
(Young people who only ever buy oil in plastic won’t appreciate the bold print.)
My goal is to refrain from Sprinter fluid discussion. (For me it’s a goal which is not easily attained.) This has what I think is some practical information.
Of course the easiest answer as to proper fluids is to direct people to the Mercedes Benz BEVO site which is the official information for MB vehicle fluids. Personally I find that the site is often not easy to extract the information you seek. Another issue for NAFTA owners is that many of the products they list are just not readily available, or available at all, in North America.
Here is the English language official MB BEVO link.
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/index.php?language_id=1
The MB and Sprinter market in North America is fairly small. Because of that there may be many readily available products in North America which would pass the MB spec tests, but just are not submitted to MB. The return on investment for the approval process just may not be there for them. Just my thoughts, I have no data.
As to MB specs, there is what I think is a rather large misconception in that the higher number MB spec lubricants are better in all ways than their lower number predecessors. E.G. - MB228.XX oil as compared to MB229.XX oil for T1N’s. In the MB BEVO system just because it is a different formulation and a lower number does not automatically mean that it is a totally inferior product. It means that it is a different product. If it were not up to the task then they would not list it on BEVO for use in your vehicle.
Power Steering Fluid
The history of what is the PROPER power steering fluid in the Sprinter is long and ugly. The NAFTA 2003 Operator Manual mentions Mopar ATF+4. My 2004 Dodge manual lists MB 341.0 or synthetic ATF III. The BEVO list includes a number of MB 236.X suggestions as of this writing. Because so many different products have been listed over the years I say it must not make much difference as to what is actually used. One thread is here.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23006
I have used Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak on my 2004 Sprinter with good results. It has now been over 40,000 miles since I added it. There are some comments and at least one additional Lucas user in this thread.
Clunk, Clunk. Ball Joint or Rack n Pinion?
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?p=201461#post201461
Differential Fluid
I put the differential fluid in the same general perspective as power steering fluid. It is conventional so any good quality GL5 rated XX-90 weight gear oil is on my list (
not XX-140 although people do report using it.). Some members do recommend only synthetic products.
For those interested, MB dealers should have 90w Mobil Delvac in quarts
$10/qt. range .
I kinda like this thread.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19635
And this post. Although Dennis does not support my general view on diff fluid with his last comment. Fair enough.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?p=202828#post202828
General information for USA owners. Mobil Delvac is not commonly found in auto parts houses or big box stores.
Our local
Camping World has
Mobil Delvac™ Synthetic Gear Oil 75W-90 on the shelves. It has
MB235.8 on the label which is listed in BEVO as
should be used for our Sprinter differentials. Price was 10 bucks and change per quart.
vic
Engine Oil
Any oil which meets the MB spec and is in the correct viscosity range for your vehicle and operating conditions should be just fine. Either you believe the BEVO mantra or you don't. If the BEVO specs are to be trusted at all then brand preference is just that, brand preference.
This is probably a bit more critical especially if you are using the ASSYST information to extend oil changes.
Sprinter diesel owners with a DPF should not stray from the MB 229.51 (Mobil 1 5w-40 Formula M ESP Emissions System Protection low ash formula meets the spec 229.51 and also 229.31). To use anything else risks fouling the DPF and possibly the EGR system = costing many dollar$$$.
Some (too many?) of my thoughts are here.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showpost.php?p=167080&postcount=171
If this information matters to anyone, for my 2004 OM647 Sprinter I have settled on using Mobil 1 0w-40 European Car Formula MB229.5 which I stockpile when on sale. I find it to be too expensive otherwise.
NAG1 Transmission
Perhaps the most critical of the fluids in my mind as to staying with MB BEVO spec fluid. (Aside from Low Ash engine oil if you have a DPF.) That said, for the T1N I believe either MB spec 236.12 or 236.14 is fine. The viscosity of the 236.14 is said to be a bit thinner. Either can be mixed without any problem. Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF III technology (red container about $18/gallon jug) lists Mercedes NAG1 and mentions synthetic base stocks on the label (semi-synthetic?), but not a MB spec number. In my opinion it probably will work fine if you're looking for something more readily available or for top off.
(I did experience cold temperature shudder until after warm-up when I tried the MaxLife. That said, it didn’t go away completely when I refilled with MB236.14 spec fluid.)
Edit: I have since completely drained the TC and pan to replace the Maxlife drain pan only fill. I then used Shell 134 MB236.14 approved fluid. The shudder in cold weather at first stop signs is less, but definitely still there. I noticed no shudder once we were down in warm Florida on vacation. Doktor A recently mentioned that a pan drain only in response to shudder is a waste of money. A complete TC and pan drain is required. My pan drain only and MaxLife refill may not have been a fair test. FWIW.
Some info is here.
https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5027
Shell 134 is available at good price from local industrial lubricant distributors as compared to any automotive or big box store price. It meets MB236.14 spec so it is fully approved for the Sprinter NAG1 transmission.
Do with this information what you will. Be careful with engine oil and transmission fluid. I don't think choosing a good quality fluid will result in Sprinter power steering system/differential life or death even absent a MB spec rating, but others
may do disagree. Vic
Here’s a nice reference posted by Boater.
http://www.febi.com/fileadmin/user_upload/febi/england/downloads/febi_fluids_brochure_GB.pdf