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I saw 276F on my transmission temperature monitor while at the track in 101F temperatures last month, and would like to check the fluid (smell, look at color).
(As an aside, I was surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped to 210F - just a minute on the cool-down lap.)
(Also, the transmission was short shifting at 5,000 rpm instead of redline at 6,500, which it happily used before it got so darn hot at the track.)
The manuals make no mention of a way to check the fluid, and I can't see anything under the engine cover that looks promising.
Any ideas?
I saw 276F on my transmission temperature monitor while at the track in 101F temperatures last month, and would like to check the fluid (smell, look at color).
(As an aside, I was surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped to 210F - just a minute on the cool-down lap.)
(Also, the transmission was short shifting at 5,000 rpm instead of redline at 6,500, which it happily used before it got so darn hot at the track.)
The manuals make no mention of a way to check the fluid, and I can't see anything under the engine cover that looks promising.
Any ideas?
I haven’t seen anything close to that number but need to watch more often. Here’s what I found checking last week. It seems that transmission fluid degrades in effectiveness as temps rise. There are probably high quality synthetics that handle higher temps fine…thinking about race cars.
”The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. Above that, for every 20 degrees bad things happen, starting with formation of varnish at 240 degrees, followed by seals hardening, plates slipping, seals and clutches burn out, carbon is formed, and, ultimately, failure.”
I haven’t seen anything close to that number but need to watch more often. Here’s what I found checking last week. It seems that transmission fluid degrades in effectiveness as temps rise. There are probably high quality synthetics that handle higher temps fine…thinking about race cars.
”The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. Above that, for every 20 degrees bad things happen, starting with formation of varnish at 240 degrees, followed by seals hardening, plates slipping, seals and clutches burn out, carbon is formed, and, ultimately, failure.”
Yep, I've never noticed anything above 235 or so, towing my RV in the mountains (previous diesel ML).
I'm going in for my A Service in a week, but I want to do a sniff and feel test before I go, so I'm more prepared. I might ask for the big transmission service and flush which is pretty expensive.
But with the quick cool-down to 210F, and short-shifting the car did in what seemed like a self preservation mode, maybe the car escaped damage.
Where'd they hide that dipstick?
BTW - funny, I found that exact "The optimal temperature range" phrase on multiple sites and forums. I wonder where it came from?
Is the trans temperature gage only available on AMG models? I don't see trans temp for my GLS580 or did I miss it?
Yes, I don’t recall there being anything on my GLE 450. Excuse the reflection of my hands, but here’s a screen shot. There is some useful AMG info but as usual it’s not always easy to get all info that you want at the same time.
Is the trans temperature gage only available on AMG models? I don't see trans temp for my GLS580 or did I miss it?
Another way to find it would be in the DYNAMIC Select - Engine Data screen (for COMAND at least). I don't quite remember what are the menus to go into for MBUX which your car has though.
Edit: Nevermind the post above me shows what I am talking about, thank you Ron.s for posting.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Oct 18, 2021 at 08:19 PM.
Reason: Nevermind the post above me shows what I am talking about, thank you Ron.s for posting.
Don't remember the steps but pretty sure you can check the levels on the gauge cluster by opening menu on gauge side, scroll far right to service, and from there select oil/transmission fluid level. Same place you can actually see tire pressures on a GLE 450. Sorry, does not help with a physical fluid check. Only had the car a week and have not been under it yet. Will look closer when the wife gets home with her car.
Last edited by Zeusmotorworks; Oct 19, 2021 at 08:36 AM.
Not sure if it’s an AMG only feature. I keep mine constantly displayed on the right hand gauge on my 53, along with tire pressure/temps. It’s worth a shot.
Not sure if it’s an AMG only feature. I keep mine constantly displayed on the right hand gauge on my 53, along with tire pressure/temps. It’s worth a shot.
Funny, I have been running that same screen watching my tire psi/temps and didn’t even notice the transmission temp. That screen wasn’t available on the 2020 GLE 450 so it must be AMG only unless there has been a recent change.
Thanks for the replies re trans. temp. gage. My 2020 GLS580 has a similar screen look but does not state Trans. oil temp. so I mistook the info shown on my screens as coolant temp and engine oil temp. Now I see the thermometer with the gear is Trans oil Temp. Mercedes doe not even show in my manual what the symbols mean. (Sorry for the dirty screen.) Clean that screen!!
Thanks for the replies re trans. temp. gage. My 2020 GLS580 has a similar screen look but does not state Trans. oil temp. so I mistook the info shown on my screens as coolant temp and engine oil temp. Now I see the thermometer with the gear is Trans oil Temp. Mercedes doe not even show in my manual what the symbols mean. (Sorry for the dirty screen.) Clean that screen!!
Well, when I went to browse YouTube, it presented me with this video. https://youtu.be/th-Xhmb93LI After looking at the case, listening to the narrator and seeing the drain/fill system on the bottom, it looks like there's no way to sample the fluid without draining at least some of it.
I think it's one of those "don't try this at home" moments.
I saw 276F on my transmission temperature monitor while at the track in 101F temperatures last month, and would like to check the fluid (smell, look at color).
(As an aside, I was surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped to 210F - just a minute on the cool-down lap.)
(Also, the transmission was short shifting at 5,000 rpm instead of redline at 6,500, which it happily used before it got so darn hot at the track.)
The manuals make no mention of a way to check the fluid, and I can't see anything under the engine cover that looks promising.
Any ideas?
Update. Temps weren't as bad as I first thought.
After checking my displays, I was reading the temps incorrectly. It was the WATER temp that was high, not the trans fluid. And the max temp for the coolant was 236, not 276.
Much ado about nothing, and I remember now how a quick glance at instruments needs to be confirmed with a longer look! Which explains how the temps "quickly dropped to 210F."
At least I feel better about not finding a transmission dipstick, cuz there is none!
Update. Temps weren't as bad as I first thought.
After checking my displays, I was reading the temps incorrectly. It was the WATER temp that was high, not the trans fluid. And the max temp for the coolant was 236, not 276.
Much ado about nothing, and I remember now how a quick glance at instruments needs to be confirmed with a longer look! Which explains how the temps "quickly dropped to 210F."
At least I feel better about not finding a transmission dipstick, cuz there is none!
Where do you find the battery charge voltage gage on the AMG? My guy says the AMG does not have battery charge or voltage gage. Can you give me a pic of it on the AMG cluster?
Where do you find the battery charge voltage gage on the AMG? My guy says the AMG does not have battery charge or voltage gage. Can you give me a pic of it on the AMG cluster?
Doesn't the display you posted in Post #11 show what you're looking for?
Other than that, I don't know of a voltage display. I set my radar detector to display voltage, which is at the cigarette lighter, but I'm not even sure if it displays "system" voltage. I'd like to see the 48v status, too.
Doesn't the display you posted in Post #11 show what you're looking for?
Other than that, I don't know of a voltage display. I set my radar detector to display voltage, which is at the cigarette lighter, but I'm not even sure if it displays "system" voltage. I'd like to see the 48v status, too.
Thanks for the answer Mikapen. Yes it does show voltage for the 12V system on the GLS580 but I am looking at the AMG model and comparing the differences. I was surprised to hear there is no voltage gage at all on the AMG version.
Doesn't the display you posted in Post #11 show what you're looking for?
Other than that, I don't know of a voltage display. I set my radar detector to display voltage, which is at the cigarette lighter, but I'm not even sure if it displays "system" voltage. I'd like to see the 48v status, too.
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