I know that the manual says that the engine should be running, the temp at 80C and parked on level ground....

I just had the trans fluid and filter changed but the shop over filled it slightly... (2 mm above max mark)

I already drained some fluid out... but I want to make sure I am doing this correctly...

When I check the fluid, the car should be on level ground, be idling, and the temp should be at 80C for the readings to be accurate (says the manual)...

I took my car around the block for 10 minutes... temp reads 80C...
I drive into the garage and put it in P gear... pop the hood and I wait for 2 minutes (exactly)... then I remove the dipstick, clean with lintfree cloth and reinsert completely, but do not lock it in.... then I remove and check...

I am currently reading way below the min mark, the level seems to be about 3 mm about the hook area?

When I stop the engine and then check after maybe 5 minutes, the fluid level is way above the max mark....

I am sooooo confused...

Should I add fluid or am I doing this all wrong?

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

The temp should be EXACTLY 80C, not "above 80C". You have NO WAY to measure this correctly. IMHO MB shouldn't even sell the dipsticks. It is worthless without knowing the temperature of the oil. You need to take the car to a shop (note I did NOT say dealer) that has SDS to read out the temp of the fluid.

Gilly

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How do you know what the temp of the transmission is? I assume this is on your 300E? I have monitored my tranny temp with an infrared thermometer on the pan to get a reasonably close temp reading. It takes a lot to warm that tranny up to 80C.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I see.... I guess i will have to just pick up one of those infrared things...

that should help me get it right!

Thanks people!

__________________
2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

The level must be checked/read WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING and the lever in 'P'.

AFAIK my independent shop doesn't have any sophisticated equipment to measure the transmission fluid temperature when confirming that the fluid level is OK. Since they work on MB's for a living they know how much fluid to add for the initial fill. Next the tech drives the car for a few miles then checks the level with the engine running and adds another half-pint or so, as required, for the proper level.

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Fred Hoelzle