transmission oil level

[big d]

When to check oil in transmission?I have 1992 300 D.Is it like on other cars when is hot, after driving.Thank you.

[tyl604]

Correct. Hot transmission. Put it in Park and check the level with the engine running. Should be in your owner's manual. At least this is the way it is in my '81 300SD and I assume yours would be the same.

I have found it nearly impossible to recheck the level immediately after adding some trans fluid because the fluid coats the dipstick tube and fouls the reading on the dipstick. Have to guess and check the level later.

[vstech]

yup. good 15minute run, and let it idle for 5minutes or so, then on a PERFECTLY level spot, pull the tube and see how it reads.

[dieseldan44]

Originally Posted by vstech

yup. good 15minute run, and let it idle for 5minutes or so, then on a PERFECTLY level spot, pull the tube and see how it reads.

Is the idling for 5 minutes crucial to the measurement?

I had always thought that you wanted the fluid as hot as its going to get, and thus you want to measure right after the drive.

Just checking as Im playing the fluid level game right now after doing a 25k mile trans service on my 85.

[vstech]

driving can build a froth if the level is not exact. so the 5 minute idle allows the transmission fluid time to level out.

[dieseldan44]

Originally Posted by vstech

driving can build a froth if the level is not exact. so the 5 minute idle allows the transmission fluid time to level out.

gotchya. so, the measured level would only go down over the 5 minutes.

thanks :-)

[big d]

Thank you all.I dont have a manual.I want to be sure I am doing it right way.