Mercedes-Benz 108 series, W108 (EU)

Power steering fluid capacity & service interval

Mercedes-Benz 108 series, W108 (EU) models utilize power steering fluid with a capacity range of 0,3 to 1,4 liters. Service intervals require checks every 10000 km or 6 months. Data covers 9 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
280SE, SEL 3.5, 108.057/058 (1970-1972)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 10000 km/ 6 months
280S, 108.016 (1968-1972)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 10000 km/ 6 months
280S, 108.016 (1968-1972)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,3 liter
280SE, SEL, 108.018/019 (1968-1972)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 10000 km/ 6 months
280SE, SEL, 108.018/019 (1968-1972)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,3 liter
250S, 108.012 (1965-1969)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 10000 km/ 6 months
250S, 108.012 (1965-1969)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,3 liter
250SE, 108.014 (1965-1968)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 10000 km/ 6 months
250SE, 108.014 (1965-1968)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,3 liter

Additional Notes

  • The power steering system capacity across all listed Mercedes-Benz 108 series (W108) variants — covering the 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE, and 280SE/SEL 3.5 — is uniformly 1.4 liters, indicating a consistent reservoir and pump circuit volume throughout the W108 lineup.
  • The steering box carries a separate fluid capacity of 0.3 liters, a figure distinct from the power steering reservoir capacity, reflecting the gearbox sump as an independent lubrication volume rather than part of the hydraulic circuit fill.
  • Steering box capacity entries appear for the 250S (108.012), 250SE (108.014), 280S (108.016), and 280SE/SEL (108.018/019), but no steering box entry is listed for the 280SE/SEL 3.5 (108.057/058).
  • The power steering check interval is specified at 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever comes first, under normal use conditions — a dual-trigger interval that accounts for both mileage accumulation and time-based fluid degradation.
  • The 6-month time component of the check interval is particularly relevant for low-mileage operation, where 10,000 km may not be reached within a calendar year, making the time trigger the governing factor for fluid inspection.
  • The 250S (108.012) and 250SE (108.014) share identical power steering and steering box capacities, with both variants produced from 1965, though the 250SE production concluded in 1968 while the 250S continued through 1969.
  • The 280S (108.016) and 280SE/SEL (108.018/019) cover the 1968-1972 period and carry the same 1.4-liter power steering and 0.3-liter steering box capacities as the earlier six-cylinder variants, indicating no capacity change accompanied the engine displacement increase from 2.5 to 2.8 liters.
  • The 280SE/SEL 3.5 (108.057/058), produced from 1970-1972, shares the 1.4-liter power steering capacity with all other W108 variants despite housing the M116 V8 engine rather than the inline-six units found in the remaining configurations.

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