Fluid Level-Autom Atic - Mercedes-Benz 300 SE 1989 Owner's Manual

Fluid Level -
Automatic Transmission
Check the fluid level in the autom atic
transm ission regularly and prior to an
extended trip.
Check transm ission fluid level with
the engine idling, parking brake
engaged and selector lever in posi­
tion " P". The vehicle m ust be parked
on level ground. Prior to the check,
allow engine to idle fo r approx. 1 to
2 minutes.
Measure fluid level with the dipstick
com pletely inserted and the locking
lever released (1).
Extreme cleanliness m ust be
observed! To wipe the dipstick, use a
clean, lint-free cloth. To fill the trans­
mission w ith fluid, pour it through a
fine-m esh filte r into the d ip stick open
ing. Even the slightest im purity may
cause operational troubles.
The fluid level in the transm ission is
dependent upon its tem perature.
The maximum and minimum fluid level
marks on the dipstick are applicable
references only if the transm ission
fluid has reached its normal operating
tem perature of 80 °C (176 °F).
Important!
If the transm ission fluid cools down to
20 - 30 ° C (68 - 86 ° F), w hich is the
normal shop tem perature range, then
the maximum fluid level will be
approxim ately 10 mm (0.4 in) below
the minimum mark on the dipstick.
We stress this point because a fluid
change is normally perform ed when
the transm ission fluid has cooled
down to shop tem perature.
The fluid level m ust not exceed the
dipstick maximum mark with the fluid
at operating tem perature. Drain or
siphon o ff excess fluid, if required.
Then push dipstick all the way in and
swing locking lever downwards (2).
73