Blackmercedes:

I am the origional poster of this thread....

The reason I am checking my transmision fluid level is that a couple of weeks ago my daughter wacked Bambi [deer] which resulted in major fron end damage >> the repairs necessitated replacing most of the front end of the car >> which resulted in disconnect of transmission cooler lines >> ergo loss of tranny fluid...the shop "guistimated" the amount of fluid loss...

additionally I am going to change/replace the fluid and tranny filter as the car has 77k miles on it..

I know that MB says these are "fluid for life" .. yeah.. no fluid is "for-life'..