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?

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.

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

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

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...

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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

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

.

take a look here,..mind the temp of the atf
if I were you I would add 3q atf immidiately and worm a car
by 10-15 mile drive.

Then I would do the check according the table.

if you never checked atf oil it is not like engine oil i.e it is not so
obvious on the stick so you have to look closer to see the level.


ATF top-up?

cheers
ChO

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w126 500SEC gen II euro, powered by OM617 turbo stolen from 84 300SD 2.88 diff,EGR blinded
next wish/project: w114 coupe OM603 powered

3 quarts?

i would add 1/2 quart at a time waiting 10 minutes of idling between adding and checking

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