I know this is a stupid issue, but I can't seem to accurately measure the amount of fluid that's in the transmission and I know how important it is NOT to overfill it.

I've recently serviced my 300SDL with new filter/fluid. Filled it up with 4 quarts, started it and slowly added another 3 quarts - shifted to R-N-D-N-R-P back and forth, went for a very gentle ride around neighborhood until it warmed up well and then parked the car on even surface while idling and kept adding fluid until I thought it reached top of the mark. I had trouble telling where I was at but I though I finally had it.

Today, I measured it again with the car completely cold and it looks like it's way way over the mark - if anything, it should be under the MAX since it's cold.

The trouble I'm having is that it's hard to tell because I can't accurately tell from the dipstick where the top of the fluid is... it's got wet spots along nearly its entire lenght so it's really hard for me to tell what the true level is...

Any tips will be appreciated.
James

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K