The two tick marks are the "add" and "full" marks as far as I know.

Did you check it with the engine running? (You're supposed to.) If not, then the level was probably artificially high.

How to get it out (whether to drop the pan or not) depends on how many miles ago the filter was changed. If it's time for a filter then that's the obvious choice. If not, dropping the pan isn't hard WORK at all but it's a lot of MESS when the fluid gets all down your arms and the garage floor. You simply can't drain enough out beforehand to prevent a mess when the pan comes down.

Might be able to remove the little plug in the pan bottom very very slowly with a pan underneath and literally stop the moment you get the first drip and let it drip out the threads until your level is lowered, but be prepared for all the fluid to dump if this very finicky operation goes wrong.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL