I agree about the fluid. Definitely only use the MB fluid.

As to the stick, it is a special tool, it is easily available, and I don't remember the price but its under twenty bucks. It would be easy to make a dipstick as it is a universal tool. It doesn't measure the distance from the end of tube to the fluid level as most dipsticks do. It is way longer than the tube and bottoms out on the floor of the pan. The measurement is the depth of fluid in the pan.

Unfortunately the level is very temp dependant and it must be done at one of two temperatures 35 or 80 degrees C. To know the temp one must view the scanner.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician