Sorry to have to repost this question. I did not get a response from my last post and it is important that I get an answer .

I am doing the transmission filter service on my 300E automatic transmission. Part of the 32,000 service. I noticed after I drove the car and returned to check the fluid level on level ground. That the fluid was a hair passed the first line on the transmission dip stick, I check this several times to be sure engine running.
My question is two fold how much fluid with filter change does the transmission take? there are two lines on the transmission dip stick what do they represent ? What is the proper fluid level hot? What is the proper level cold below 80C.
I understand from my work shop manuals that ATF mercon 2 is mentioned but I can only fine mercon 3 is this ok?
My dealer in Santa Monica does not carry the factory fluid by Mercedes they have Pennsoil,. Where can I fine the factory Mercedes-Benz fluid.?
I hope this post will bring some answers.
Thank You
Bob Geco

My '96 is similar. The dealer here doesn't carry Dexron fluid any more, and you don't want or need the new MB fluid for your transmission.

They told me Dexron 2 or 3. I don't know that there would be any advantage to 2 over 3.

my Genuine Mercedes dealer tried to sell me QuakerState Dexron III.
I politely declined and bought a case at Costco.

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Tom 2010 C250 4-matic Sport (Canada)

I will interject since I just did this (with mixed results) two weekends ago.

Go buy a gallon of Penzoil Dextron III from Walmart. I bought two, which was helpful.

If you just drain the pan and change the filter only, 4 quarts is all you need. If you decide to drain the torque converter as well, you'll need an additional 2.2 quarts or so.

I really haven't figured out the best way to check the dipstick, but I figured that since what drained filled a gallon milk jug, that's all I should put in.

A couple of weekends ago, I wasn't thinking that way, and based on the dipstick, figured I needed to add a couple more quarts...BIG MISTAKE! Blew the pan gasket big time, and out trickled a gallon of fluid on the driveway! So I had to do it all over again...with four quarts ONLY this time! Glad I had that extra gallon of tranny fluid.

Project for this weekend? Degrease and power-wash the garage and driveway!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

When I rebuilt the transmission on the 300E early last year, I used Mobil 1 synthetic. Have gone about 30K with no problems. I'm getting ready to do it again and will go with Mobil 1 synthetic again.

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

i use Mobil 1 synthetic as well....

it takes about 6.5 quarts if i remember correctly.

I figure since it stays in for 30k or so, sythetic is worth the 6 dollars a quart it costs.

now in my wifes expedition, i do dexron*** that sucker takes 16 quarts.

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


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6.6 with converter drain. You should drain the converter, it holds the majority of the fluid, and is very easy. I would just stick with the dextron 2 or 3, I think the synthetic fluids are a hype and really just cost more money in the long run. You should in no way go longer than 30K on a transmission service, synthetic or not synthetic. FYI, ATF expans as it gets hot. If you do a complete service, add 4 qt's start it up add the other2.6 qt's and make sure to drive through the gears with little power for the first two complete shifts cycles.

Thank you all for the posted replys.
How ever no one answered my question on the two marks on the transmission dip stick. What is the level warm at which mark is this suppose to be? and what mark is it cold below 80C or operating temperture?

Bob Geco

Drive your car to normal operating temperature then check the level. Fluid should be between two marks.

The marks represent a "range" meaning that the level can be anywhere as long as it is between the marks when hot. I do believe though, that the lower mark indicates "low" and the upper mark indicates "high."

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

The dipstick marks are the range after the car has been driven a long distance to get the fluid up to operating temp. When cold (after a trip around the block) it should be below the lower mark as follows:
Trans 722.1,722.0 - 30 mm
Trans 722.3,722.5 - 10 mm
Trans 722.4 - 12 mm
I've found that after a long highway drive at speed , fluid will puke out and burn on the exhaust if you are a little on the high side of the range. This of course scares the bejeezus out of you 'cause you're thinking what just blew up .

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

The two lines on the dipstick is a representation of a bout 1/2 qt hot. Check hot, and if the fluid is on the lowes mark, you are 1/2 qt low, if it is inbetween, dont worrie about it. It's kinda like the oil dipstick