Transmission Fluid Change - 1999 E300
 

I changed the transmission fluid today on my 1999 E300. One thing that I am not certain about this the intended fluid level when completed. The tool markings from the end are:

|20| |80|

Where should the fluid read? I roughly measured out the fluid that I drained and have put in just a little less than the amount that I drained. After a 23 mile drive the fluid level reads about 2/3rds above the |20| mark.

My understanding is that the fluid level should be at or near the top mark when the fluid is at full operating temperature. Make sure to measure with the car idling on a level surface and in 'D' (and parking brake engaged). I've heard that some people try to feed a thermocouple down the dipstick tube, but measuring the pan temperature from underneath works better.

You used the special MB synthetic ATF (AKA Febi synthetic Dexron III), correct?

The MB ATF is synthetic? Ive read the bottle at work and it seems to be conventional not synthetic? Same with the Febi ATFi we carry. The only synthetic ATF i know of is the mobil 1 ATF and amsoils ATF.

The 20 and 80 refer to the temperature in Celcius.

You're supposed to be at the 20 mark when the fluid is at 20C or at the 80 mark at 80C. At the dealer they apparently can plug directly into a sensor to tell them the precise temperature of the fluid but after 20-30 minutes of driving you should be at 80C and the level should be at that mark.

You should have used the proper MB fluid which is synthetic (I think) although the bottle does not specifically say that, it just reads ATF fluid. They do have a new fluid for the new trannys which is supposed to be backward compatible that is also synthetic.

You should not be using conventional Dexron III in these 722.6XX transmissions under any circumstances.

Some of the guys are saying not to use the 20C mark. They report the correct level can be read at the 80C mark only. It takes a lot of driving to get the temp that hot.

I've verified the level at 20C and 80C and found them to be identical...when it's full at 20C, it's full at 80C. It's much easier, obviously, to get the 20C reading.

Not really a lot of driving. My tech had me drive it for a few miles and then we measured it.

The fluid I purchased did not have a part number or description on the front other than it was tranmission fluid made by Mercedes. It was not cheap; I think I paid around $11.50 per quart. Here is picture of what I purchased.

Buy an infra red thermometer at Harbor Freight and ping the bottom of your tranny pan to make sure it's at 80 degrees C. DieselGiant has a write up on how to do this. Then you'll know you've hit the right temperature and should know how much fluid is supposed to be in it.

Scott

I would need to removed the belly pans use this, correct?

Yep thats the stuff they sell at my work. Not to brag or anything but its about $4/quart. The stealers really jack up the prices on resale. Anyway, if thats a synthetic then im going to be buying that! $7/quart for mobil 1 ATF is alot of $$$ in comparison to the MB labeled stuff.

No. Just ping the bottom of the metal pan. Look at the pics on dieselgiant.com.

Scott

Look at the BACK of the bottle, directly under the UPC code and you will find the part number. It will be something like A 001 989 21 03 10. Everything has a part number, EVERYTHING.

And I doubt very much you can get it for $4 a bottle anywhere.