How do I check my automatic transmission fluid?
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
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From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
MB Trans are "sealed unit" Like Marcus said there is a MB trans service level dipstick you put in the tube at the back (just off center) of the motor. If you're careful you can remove the sealed cap on top of the trans tube. Otherwise you'll need to buy a new one. Its got a one way pinch collar that holds it in place The service tool is a braided flex with a plastic indicator at the business end. Its not meant to be left in which is why the re & re sealed cap. Service tool goes for less than $30 , cap like $3-4
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: nova
00 CLK 430 Cabriolet
dipstick question
Ok I bought the dipstick and the dipstick only goes down part way. Are you saying that the car has to be running and warmed up prior to checking the level?
Even with the service cap removed on the top of the transmission, the dipstick wont go down all the way. Please advise
thanks,
Jim
Even with the service cap removed on the top of the transmission, the dipstick wont go down all the way. Please advise
thanks,
Jim
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
OK. The service dipstick should read both cold, (low level mark) and operating temperature.(driving temp)(high level mark) Low mark on the plastic gauge end is cold. If you don't show fluid, it might have caught the inside of the trans. So about the length of the dipstick, the fluid level will tell ya if its too short. I mean it should show fluid. A MB trans packs an exact amount of fluid and stay at a constant level unless it leaks. P.S. don't warm it up. You want a cold reading first, then an operating temp. Low & high mark.
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CLK430 Cab 03
I need some advice, I drained my ATF 2 days ago with an oil extractor and got 2.7L out. So I filled it up with exactly 2.7L of ATF from MB. Today I got a dipstick and checked it after driving for 45 min. The level is above the to 80C mark.
How do I know when the transmission it at 80C, it that regular driving temp?
I'm getting ready to take some out but I don't see how I could have over filled it.
Any ideas?
How do I know when the transmission it at 80C, it that regular driving temp?
I'm getting ready to take some out but I don't see how I could have over filled it.
Any ideas?
Member
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From: PK, NY
2kCLK320
I think the temp gauge on the dash has 80c on it and I'm pretty sure that's normal operational temp. Let your car idle or take it for a quick drive. If your not driving hard and its not really hot out the cars temp should hover right at 80c. I'm not 100% just check your dash.
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Houston, TX
190e 2.6, 5-spd
On your .6 trans, just warm vehicle up after putting fluid in, and make sure you run thruogh the gears a few times.. the dipstick isnt supposed to go all the way down, you should have about 1-1.5ft sticking out still. If the car was just started, you want it right at or slightly above the 20*c mark, and if its been running right at or slighty below the 80*c mark.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
The MB procedures, being what they are, I want to be certain about how to check the transmission fluid. So, some basic questions:
Do I check the fluid when engine is running ?
Do I check the fluid in Park or neutral, or what ?
Thanks\
Do I check the fluid when engine is running ?
Do I check the fluid in Park or neutral, or what ?
Thanks\
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
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From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
gn3, hey, thanks for the advice. That's what I thought, but, this car has me wary of common sense, so, I expect some mystical Teutonic method of doing otherwise common things. It's reassuring that I can check the Trans. fluid in the old fashioned, normal, way. Again, thanks.
Last edited by Pancho; Feb 28, 2010 at 03:40 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 494
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From: Amber waves of grain.
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet
Here is some additional info.
I needed to know exactly how much length of the dipstick tool went into the dipstick tube, in order to check the fluid level. Dipstick would stop, sort of jam, and it took a considerable force to get it to continue again. I was concerned that, though unlikely, I might be pushing hard enough that the dipstick was turning and running parallel to the trans pan.
After tinkering and measuring, for what it's worth, the dipstick tool in the W208 722.623 Trans. should travel 25 inches into the dipstick tube.
There it is. Another Gordian knot undone.
I needed to know exactly how much length of the dipstick tool went into the dipstick tube, in order to check the fluid level. Dipstick would stop, sort of jam, and it took a considerable force to get it to continue again. I was concerned that, though unlikely, I might be pushing hard enough that the dipstick was turning and running parallel to the trans pan.
After tinkering and measuring, for what it's worth, the dipstick tool in the W208 722.623 Trans. should travel 25 inches into the dipstick tube.
There it is. Another Gordian knot undone.
Newbie
Joined: May 2014
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2000 CLK 320 BLACKOUT
Resurrection of old thread
Here is some additional info.
I needed to know exactly how much length of the dipstick tool went into the dipstick tube, in order to check the fluid level. Dipstick would stop, sort of jam, and it took a considerable force to get it to continue again. I was concerned that, though unlikely, I might be pushing hard enough that the dipstick was turning and running parallel to the trans pan.
After tinkering and measuring, for what it's worth, the dipstick tool in the W208 722.623 Trans. should travel 25 inches into the dipstick tube.
There it is. Another Gordian knot undone.
I needed to know exactly how much length of the dipstick tool went into the dipstick tube, in order to check the fluid level. Dipstick would stop, sort of jam, and it took a considerable force to get it to continue again. I was concerned that, though unlikely, I might be pushing hard enough that the dipstick was turning and running parallel to the trans pan.
After tinkering and measuring, for what it's worth, the dipstick tool in the W208 722.623 Trans. should travel 25 inches into the dipstick tube.
There it is. Another Gordian knot undone.
Im fairly new here but owner of CLK 320 hard top and clkk 430 convertible. I had a few questions and I can maybe answer review of yours if you have any but in regards to the dip stick. So from cap all the way down is 25 inches to get proper reading on trans level? And will it be the same for 320 and 430? 722.6 trans?
