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I HAVE A 2011 SL550. It does not have the option to check oil on the instrument panel. It DOES have an oil dipstick. I change oil using an extractor through the dip stick. I do not have a diostick for trans fluid. There are different options for sl’s with or without dipstick. When you pull the dipstick you should be able to easily tell if it’s oil or Tran fluid
I followed the tube in the back on mine with a flashlight to the transmission. I've read somewhere that there is a boss cast into the front of the bock on 5 liter engine to install an oil dipstick, but they did not come installed from the factory. I can only speak for an SL500 with the 5 liter engine as that's what my car is. According to the ops sig, he has an SL500, so you check oil on the dashboard.
I can see having a transmission tube with no dipstick because you have to get transmission fluid IN somehow. Unless there is a leak, there is not reason to ever to check tranny fluid. If you have a leak, get it fixed.. then add fluid through the tube. There has to be a transmission tube somewhere.
Unfortunately, most if not all of the 722.9 7-speed transmissions do not have a dipstick tube. It's filled by pressure pumping from underneath.
No way to check it without lifting the car while level, warming to 45 degrees C, then testing for over-flow from the fill tube. Also uses the new low-viscosity energy-saving blue fluid, not the old school red fluid.
Most 5 speed 722.6 transmissions have the dipstick tube, which is helpful.
I have both in my stable, and have been through the fluid change process for both.
Last edited by kbob999; Feb 7, 2019 at 01:26 PM.
Reason: Get temp right
That’s what my owners manual says. There is no dipstick nor fill tube to check or fill transmission. If it leaks fix it. Tran fluid apparently is only put in transmission when fluid and filter are changed. I’m not aware of any way there is to check or add transmission fluid, at least in a 2011 sl550. Unless there’s a leak, manual says no need to check fluid. If there is a leak, get it to shop
Bellwilliam, you have the M113 5l engine and that is the engine oil tube. You will extract the old oil through that tube. The transmission oil needs to be pumped through the drain hole like kbob999 indicated, although I think the temperature is 45C. THere is no filler tube on the 7 speed transmission(722.9).
Below is a photo showing the locations of the oil vs. transmission dip tubes on the M112/M113 engine. All R230 engines have an oil dip tube. The M112/M113 will not have a dipstick, just a cap. You can buy a shop-use dipstick that yu do not leave in place. I also hear that there is a dipstick fro the R129 SL500 that can be left in. The M272/M273 engines have a leave-in dipstick as standard equipment. The 5-speed (722.6) transmissions do have a diptube, and you fill there as well as measure with a shop-use dipstick. The 7-speed (722.9) has no diptube. It is filled and measured underneath, through the drain plug on the pan. You fill by pumping in fluid, and measure the level by observing the flow rate of fluid from the drain at 113F - a steady flow is overfilled (you start there) and then when it transitions to a slow drip, it's then full.
Well now see what I get for listening to people on other forums. I stand corrected. My engine cover is off at the moment and sure as poop, there are two tubes as shown above. The transmission one is hidden under the engine cover.
I have a question somewhat related to this topic. I bought transmission dipstick p/n 140 589 15 21 00 as directed in WIS for 722.6 transmission (2003 SL 500). It is fairly long - about 120 cm.. When I insert it into transmission dipstick tube it only partially goes in leaving almost 50 cm outside. Business end comes out covered in oil. Any ideas what am I doing wrong?
I just did my own oil change last weekend. Fist I spent $60 on an oil extractor and the tube wouldn’t go all the way down. It’s hitting something a few inches from the bottom. Option B, and IMO is way better. Jack the car up and take off the 8 screws that secure the large bottom cover in the center. Pull the plug on the oil pan and drain the oil. There is no question whether or not all the oil came out.
I have a question somewhat related to this topic. I bought transmission dipstick p/n 140 589 15 21 00 as directed in WIS for 722.6 transmission (2003 SL 500). It is fairly long - about 120 cm.. When I insert it into transmission dipstick tube it only partially goes in leaving almost 50 cm outside. Business end comes out covered in oil. Any ideas what am I doing wrong?
Are you putting it in the correct tube? The taller one is oil, the shorter one is trans.
Are you putting it in the correct tube? The taller one is oil, the shorter one is trans.
Yes. I saw the picture in this thread. But just in case I tried both tubes. As for draining the fluid, I am going to go from the bottom and replace filter, gasket and connector. I also plan on flushing the fluid per WIS (14 liters of fluid required, since I have only 12 liters, I am going to limit it to two 3 liter dumps instead of three). My concern is to make sure that fluid level is correct after flushing.
The shop dipstick for the transmission does in fact leave a good bit outside the tube. You check the fluid with the engine running, in park, after shifting through all gears.
The shop dipstick for the transmission does in fact leave a good bit outside the tube. You check the fluid with the engine running, in park, after shifting through all gears.
Will I be able to see the dipstick sticking out of the tube with transmission pan dropped?
Yes. In the photo below (that I borrowed from a benzworld post), it shows where the diptube comes out. The white plastic pice is not part of the dip tube - that's the end of the home made dipstick the forum member was using:
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
