E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Transmission Fluid Level Setting

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Old 08-25-2024, 01:37 PM
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Transmission Fluid Level Setting

Hi everyone,

Just did this service yesterday.

The two details I wonder if I got wrong:
-when I connected my scan tool after refilling, it said transmission fluid temp was in the 60’s Celsius. The video I was following said warm it to 45C
-I set the fluid level with the engine off. I feel like lots of videos they do it while running

Car seems fine but had one big jerk driving around after the fluid change so I’m concerned for obvious reasons.

Did everything by the book otherwise.
Old 08-25-2024, 04:48 PM
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ATF refill gone wrong

Originally Posted by mgiara
Hi everyone,

Just did this service yesterday.

The two details I wonder if I got wrong:
-when I connected my scan tool after refilling, it said transmission fluid temp was in the 60’s Celsius. The video I was following said warm it to 45C
-I set the fluid level with the engine off. I feel like lots of videos they do it while running

Car seems fine but had one big jerk driving around after the fluid change so I’m concerned for obvious reasons.

Did everything by the book otherwise.
What's done is done, right?!
You say you did everything the book so you are almost 100% complete.


Go ahead and repeat with:
-- correct tranny temp
-- engine idling in P

Without Engine Running, you are guaranteed to have the wrong amount of ATF that could cost you dearly.

Don't drive it... fix it ASAP.


Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; 08-25-2024 at 04:51 PM.
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Old 08-25-2024, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
What's done is done, right?!
You say you did everything the book so you are almost 100% complete.


Go ahead and repeat with:
-- correct tranny temp
-- engine idling in P

Without Engine Running, you are guaranteed to have the wrong amount of ATF that could cost you dearly.

Don't drive it... fix it ASAP.
Well said. Thank you; will do. On it ASAP. Thank goodness for having a parts car till I make time!!
Old 08-26-2024, 11:31 PM
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I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been sitting here for a while and the temp only dropped 5 degrees C.

I got a bag of ice in my oil catch pan and trying to press it against the trans pan.

Everywhere I work on the car is a long drive away so not sure what else to do :-(

Gonna be sitting here all night.
Old 08-27-2024, 12:20 AM
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So you started off with a cold transmission and it was already at that temp?

If thats the case then possibility of faulty temp sensor, can you check the pan with a IR thermometer or even a instant read thermometer probe (get it up around one of the bolts that fasten the pan on)?
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Old 08-27-2024, 12:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Quint22
So you started off with a cold transmission and it was already at that temp?

If thats the case then possibility of faulty temp sensor, can you check the pan with a IR thermometer or even a instant read thermometer probe (get it up around one of the bolts that fasten the pan on)?
No, sorry for the confusion. My third sentence, all of the places I work on the car are a 30-90 minute drive away.

Temp is dropping consistently as I keep repositioning the bag of ice. We’re down to 58 right now.

Just gonna be patient for the peace of mind of knowing I did it exactly proper.
Old 08-27-2024, 02:23 AM
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To those who find this thread in the future,
I did more and more reading on my error because it's so difficult for me to get the car up off the ground to work on (renting so no driveway or garage and very difficult access to a shop)

There's a thread here where others also filled the trans with the engine off, and someone there points out that with the engine off, the pump is not full.
This user was saying that the pump itself holds 1-1.5L of fluid.

This is 100% correct. Refilling at 50C with the engine running, it took a solid liter and a half more ATF.
Shifts and power delivery now feel more confident than ever. Absolutely no stutters or strange behavior, through the RPM range in all lower gears in both Sport and Eco mode.

The most difficult part, due to my circumstance, was cooling the ATF down.
The bag of ice turned that into a 2.5 hour wait (still only got to 50C). I can only imagine how long I would have been sitting there without the ice.

Next time I do this service, I'm going to have to schedule other work in front of it to give the 722.9 time to chill out. Maybe refrigerate the ATF

One last little side note: ChatGPT (AI) says that the likely difference in volume (due to thermal expansion and contraction) of ATF is likely in the order of 50mL.
Not a massive difference but definitely a difference!!



Cheers everyone!!!


Last edited by mgiara; 08-27-2024 at 02:29 AM.
Old 08-27-2024, 03:10 AM
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for reference
a 1.5oz shot of whiskey is about 40mL
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Old 08-27-2024, 03:46 AM
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So the AI BS is just that!!
You were missing 1500mL, not simply 50mL like AI computed.
I can only imagine when AI will govern us ...


Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; 08-27-2024 at 03:48 AM.
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Old 08-27-2024, 12:19 PM
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Not that I like AI or anything but think he was saying that the temp difference had little effect, however not following the proper sequence of vehicle running and everything circulating did.
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Old 08-27-2024, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Quint22
Not that I like AI or anything but think he was saying that the temp difference had little effect, however not following the proper sequence of vehicle running and everything circulating did.
Yes, true:
No1 engine was stopped
No2 tranny temp was off

The most important is using genuine matching grade ATF, not "standard" nor "compatible" substitutions recommended at the local parts stores.
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Old 08-28-2024, 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
So the AI BS is just that!!
You were missing 1500mL, not simply 50mL like AI computed.
I can only imagine when AI will govern us ...
Correct! To be fair, I only asked the AI to calculate loss due to heat; did not mention to it that I made TWO mistakes
I guess to be technical, I was short 1600mL and am still 44mL short

No doubt about it, I'll be buying a pneumatic filler when I do this next. If I don't want to chill the ATF in the fridge, I can put the filler reservoir into a big bucket of ice.

Haha! think it's likely in our lifetime? Can't even imagine.

Last edited by mgiara; 08-28-2024 at 12:13 AM.
Old 08-28-2024, 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
Yes, true:
No1 engine was stopped
No2 tranny temp was off

The most important is using genuine matching grade ATF, not "standard" nor "compatible" substitutions recommended at the local parts stores.
I had to reach out to FCP Euro Support to see if I had option code A89 because the VIN Lookup tools I found didn't give me confidence. Their support thus far has been stellar!
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Old 08-28-2024, 01:31 AM
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i've been saying this for decades, like since the 1970s... AI stands for Artificial IGNORANCE, not Intelligence.
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Old 08-28-2024, 03:37 AM
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AI is going to be our favorite excuse to blame computers for our wrong doings.

AI is extremely good at big-data analytics but as no way to conceive a new propulsion systems.

Right now AI can analyze this forum content to rank possible solutions after someone wrote the intelligent help. MBWorld elites should negotiate fees from AI providers....


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