Mercedes-Benz 1982 380 SL, Owner'S Manual

Page: 67 / 89

Checking Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level
At regular intervals, check the fluid
level of the automatic transmission
together with the engine oil level
prior to every long trip.
Check transmission fluid level with
the engine idling, parking brake
engaged and selector lever in posi­
tion “ P”. The vehicle must be
parked on level ground. Prior to the
check, allow engine to idle for
approx.
1
to
2
minutes.
Measure oil level with the dipstick
com pletely inserted and the locking
lever released (
1
).
Painstaking cleanliness must be
observed! To wipe the dipstick, use
a clean, lint-free cloth (preferably
leather). To fill the transm ission with
fluid, only pour it through a fine-
mesh filter into the dipstick ope­
ning. Even the slightest impurity
may cause operational troubles.
The oil level in the transmission is
dependent upon the oil tempera­
ture. The maximum and minimum
oil level marks on the dipstick are
applicable references only if the
transm ission fluid has reached its
normal operating temperature of
80° C /176° F. - If, however, the
transm ission fluid cools down to
2 0 -3 0 ° C /
68
-
86
° F, which is the
normal shop tem perature range,
then the maximum oil level will be
approximately 5 mm/0.2 in below
the minimum mark on the dipstick.
We stress this point because an oil
change is normally performed when
the transmission oil has cooled
down to shop temperature.
The fluid level must not exceed the
dipstick maximum mark with the
fluid at operating temperature. Drain
or siphon off excess fluid, if requi­
red.
Then push dipstick all the way
in and swing locking lever down­
wards (
2
).
65