ATF dipstick
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
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From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
ATF dipstick
Are you supposed to check the tranny fluid with the engine running or shut off? I can never read the stupid dip stick and don't know if I've over or under filled my transmission. Thanks, Matt.
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 114
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From: Washington, the State
1993 300CE Sportline
check it hot
I'm more comfortable checking the ATF level when the fluid is at operating temp. I believe it takes at least 10-15 minutes of driving to get the temp up. Any driving that involves stop and go and simply lots of tranny shifting will help to produce heat. Park the car on level ground and place trans in Park, leave engine idling. Some people say to wait a few minutes for the level to stabilize and then check it. Should not have any burnt odors, should be a pretty, rich looking red (look at new fluid in a bottle, same). In my Toyota Land Crusier the trans pan has a drain plug, at every engine oil change I drain the fluid and add about 4 quarts of new. I don't bother to drain the converter, that is done at the scheduled fluid change. I figure it is simple to slide the container back a few feet and catch the trans fluid as long as I'm under the car. Regarding transmission fluid: am I right that Mercedes does not reccomend synthetic oil on these cars, 1986 to 1995?
