Somebody plz help me on this one, I have yet to purchase any MB manuals and I'm getting conflicting info from local dealer.

81 300SD 126:
I checked my trans. fluid last week and it was below the first bend in the dipstick. I proceded to add 2 litres. I checked it again this week and it's still below the first bend. Strangely the level shows the same regardless if I check it in idle (after shifting thru gears) or with the engine off. What's the capacity of this tranny? What level is healthy? Thanks in advance for any help.

Trans fluid level is checked with the engine running & in park or neutral. The level should be between the marks after driving at least 10 miles.

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MERCEDES BENZ MASTER GUILD TECHNICIAN
ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN
27 YEARS M.B. TECH

Thanks for the quick reply. I feel like a nusiance for having to ask for clarification. The tranny dipstick has what seems to be 3 markers. About an inch from the bottom there are 2 grooves ingraved into the dipstick, about 5 inches higher there is a twisted bend, about 8 inches higher than that there is another twist-bend. Between which markers should the fluid rest? It looks like the third bend rests higher than the tranny when put into the dipstick. But then again what is it there for? Bear with me folks, this is my first auto tranny, and my first MB.

Thanks for the quick reply. I feel like a nusiance for having to ask for clarification. The tranny dipstick has what seems to be 3 markers. About an inch from the bottom there are 2 grooves ingraved into the dipstick, about 5 inches higher there is a twisted bend, about 8 inches higher than that there is another twist-bend. Between which markers should the fluid rest? It looks like the third bend rests higher than the tranny when put into the dipstick. But then again what is it there for? Bear with me folks, this is my first auto tranny, and my first MB.

The two "engraved grooves" are the level marks. Follow the instructions from MB DOC or you will overfill. A cold transmission will have a normal level below the low mark. You will not bring the transmission to normal operating temperature until you drive the car and make the transmission work.

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Mercedes Star Technician,
Mercedes Master Guild Technician, ASE Master Tech. 18 years exp.