Check trans fluid on '98 E320
 

Can someone tell me how to check the trans fluid on a '98 E320 as when I brake hard and come to a stop, my car will start out in first gear but will slam into 2nd. Normal stops and starts are no problem. Is there a fluid baffle or something that will restrict the sloshing of trans fluid when hard stopping or starting? Thought the fluid level might be too low. What is the procedure (temp etc.) for checking this trans? Can I buy the dipstick from the dealer?

Do a search for "722.6" and you will find more and different info than you asked for, but info that pertains directly to your issue.

I believe they sell the dipstick at partsshop at the top of the page. Make sure you also get a new locking cap pin if you remove the cap to check the fluid.

Do not muck about with the fluid level on a 722.6 tranny. The fluid level should be set with the fluid at exactly 80C, and this is easily done with the SDS. The transmission is sensitive to fluid level, and you can screw things up if it's not correct.

Hard 3-2 and 1-2 shifts are typical of the early ETC units, and I think that the freewheel units ("sprag" units) are also failure prone causing abrupt shifts. Before changing the fluid level, use SDS to read any stored codes (don't always set off CEL) and find if the adaptation values are out of whack somewhere. The SDS can read all kinds of detailed info about the tranny, including shift fill times and other data. Diagnosing problems with a 722.6 is not a simple task.