C230 (1998) - HOWTO refill transmission fluid?
 

Ooops,

I have accidentally, drained the automatic transmission fluid out of my 1998 Class-C 230.
Now I need to refill it, but don't know where is the location to refill the fluid.
Is it under the hood or the trunk?
I've search everywhere but couldn't seems to find it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for your reply.

-- David

It must be refilled via the trans dipstick. If you have the hood of your car open, and you are looking at the engine from the front of the car, it's at the end of the engine block, by the firewall, on the left corner. I believe it is either a black or red round plastic cap. It is probably sealed and will need to be broken. Be sure, if you do do this yourself, that you get the special transmission fluid from Mercedes-Benz!!! Do not put anything else in there. Your transmission is very sensitive to fine particles, fluid amount, and the type of. If I were you though, I would strongly recommend you have it towed to the dealer and have them do it for you... It shouldn't be very much money.... but considering a new trans in your car would run you about $4,000 dollars, I would have it done by the dealer!! :eek: :eek: :eek: Good luck with whatever you do. ;)

refill trans fluid
 

Just a friendly reminder,there is no dipstick to measure the transmission fluid,that is a special tool. You may need to buy one from the parts dept,or ask to borrow one!







Mike(mk153):)

Thanks a lot.

I indeed find the entry point that you are talking about.
Would you know what is the quantity of transmission fluid I need to fill in?

I got some transmission fluid (Chevron : dexron-III mercon) is that correct?

I conquer with mike that there is not mesuring dipstick. I guess would have to buy one to the auto-part shop.

thanks a lot for your help.

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.

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I am definitely going to bring it to the dealer.

Also, I am just looking at the MB Factory Approved Service Products Manual (October 2000) sent to me from MB a while ago and it has the list of factory approved transmission fluids as follow:

1) Castrol Dextron-III/Mercon ATF F-30341
2) Castrol Transmax M-22257 / 22096
3) Chevron ATF Dextron III F-30108 / 30159
4) Citgo Multi-Purpose ATF D-21571
5) Exxon Superfol ATF Dextron III F-30111
6) Havoline ATF Mercon/Dextron III F-30321
7) Texaco ATF Mercon/Dextron III F-30321
8) Pennzoil ATF D-22413 / F-30110
9) Quaker State Dextron III/ Mercon F-30161
10) Sunoco ATF Dextron III/Mercon F-30176
11) Unocal Multi-Purpose ATF D-22413 / 22431
12) Valvoline ATF Type D
13) MB Automatic Transmission Fluid part#001 989 21 93 19

However, it didn't specify which fluid type for which engine so I am assuming it's compatible with all engine type.
What do you think ?

Also, does anyone know the meaning of the suffices in the above mentioned fluid type i.e. F-30341, F-30321, D-22413 ?


Thank you so much for your earlier responses..

-David

How did you get the approved fluids info from MB? I'd like to have this!

It just showed up in my mailbox. It is a 7 page booklet that lists all the factory approved fluids i.e. engine oil, transmission fluid, lubricating grease, and etc. I believe you could get a copy from your dealer. The Order/Part
No. is S-0473-00N


-David

David,

Would you be so kind as to scan and post the booklet for the other forum members? I called the local dealer but was told that part number doesn't exist.

Jeff

I don't have a scanner but know a friend who does. Stay tune to this thread and I will tried to post this booklet by Friday.
Hope the file doesn't exceed the 51 kbytes limit.

-David

Sorry for the delay but I was having difficulty posting the Mercedes approved fluid booklet on this forum. The problem is that my high tech friend scan the document in Adobe acrobat pdf format (this site only allow jpeg, text, and a few other formats) and the file size is over the 51kbytes limit( ths file size is 51k).

So if you are still interested in getting a copy of this booklet in electronic and don't have problem reading a acrobat pdf file format (you can download acrobat reader from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html), send me an email and I will forward it to you.


Sorry for my low tech approach but I really hate to have to bother my friend to scan it in a different format.

Regards,
David

They really should increase that limit. 51k is very lame. What, are they storing everyone's attachments on a floppy disk? Hard drives these days cost 20 cents per Gigabyte. and yet we're limited to 51k. :rolleyes: