Automatic Transmission Fluid Level - Mercedes-Benz 450 SL 1980 Owner's Manual

Checking Fuels Coolants
58
Lubricants etc.

Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

At regular intervals, check the fluid
level of the autom atic transm ission
together with the engine oil level
prior to every long trip.
Check transm ission fluid level with
the engine idling, parking brake
engaged and selector lever in posi­
tion " P" . The vehicle must be
parked on level ground. Prior to the
check, allow engine to idle fo r
approx. 1 to 2 minutes.
Measure oil level with the dipstick
com pletely inserted and the locking
lever released (1 ).
Painstaking cleanliness must be
observed! To wipe the dipstick, use
a clean, lint-free cloth (preferably
leather). To fill the transm ission
with fluid, only pour it through a
fine-mesh filte r into the dipstick
opening. Even the slightest im purity
may cause operational troubles.
The oil level in the transm ission is
dependent upon the oil temperature.
The maximum and minimum oil
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. - If, however, the
transm ission fluid cools down to
20-30° C /68- 860 F, which is the
normal shop tem perature range,
then the maximum oil level w ill be
approxim ately 30 mm/1.2 in below
the minimum mark on the dipstick.
We stress this point because an oil
change is norm ally performed when
the transm ission oil has cooled
down to shop temperature.
The fluid level must not exceed the
dipstick maximum mark with the
fluid at operating temperature.
Drain or siphon off excess fluid,
if required.
Then push dipstick all the way in
and swing locking lever down­
wards (2).