ATF levels wierd
 

so i took a reading of my atf levels with the car running and at temp.
nothing shows up on the atf dip stick.

my understanding after reading articles on this forum is that it is supposed to be a few mm under the lowest reading.

so im freaked out...it is slipping.
also is it ok to top off with modern atf fluids...
iread on here to get castrol (or other brands)dex III no one in any local flac has that.

i have a 1982 300d with 150k on it

Is your dipstick broken? If it's not showing up at all you need to top it off

i dont think the dip stick is broken. it has the red top and the black lock down peice...where should the reading be...just below the first line from the bottom correct?

Minsk, is the transmission up to temp? Isn't it supposed to be at 80C when checking??

No. It should be between the two lines.

uber , yes i drive it around til its at temp then took the atf reading...
so its crazy mad low...is it ok to top of with modern day atf?

i am supposed to take the reading with engine running, correct?

So you are measuring the temp of the ATF? (Engine coolant is not an indicator of transmision temperature and it takes a long time to get the transmission fully up to 80C.)

Yes, I believe you are going to top off with the modern version of Dexron...whatever that is called today.

Yes, engine must be running to check the ATF level.

Yes you are crazy mad low.

When cold (and running) the ATF [edit, was coolant] level should be about 10mm below the warm level.

Sixto
87 300D

The OP is asking about ATF

Get the car to operating temputure, move the gear shifter through all gears, let the car idle in park. Check the fluid...If you are low top off with dex/merc fluid...

If your slipping, it could be because the fluid level is low.....I would suggest changing the fluid and filter...

x2 on fluid and filter.

on any automatic i've had, slipping is a sure sign of low fluid if everything else is otherwise ok... and since yrs is slipping and the fluid is low, you should top it off