This may save someone the expense of a dealer visit, or the effort needed to obtain the transmission temperature. It is also posted in my Stoopid Things thread.
”HOT” Check the Transmission Fluid Level without Temperature Readings
Mercedes Benz recommends knowing the transmission temperature reading before checking the fluid level. The transmission temperature information is not readily available to most people. There have been many discussions about how the transmission level should be checked. My opinion is that an "in the range" fluid level reading is safely obtained by getting the engine and transmission "HOT" like most all other vehicle manufacturers specify in their operator manuals.
Background information follows. You may skip down to my procedure below if you don't want to bother with my copied, pasted, and modified ramblings.
*******************************
Everyone who owned a Detroit iron vehicle has been checking their transmission fluid level using the operator manual instructions since they began to care. Never did you see anything but "Hot" so nobody questioned that there might be an important associated critical level change which required graphing fluid height vs temperature. And there isn't a critical level change when the transmission is "hot".
JD's question about checking the level cold made me more aware of that. The delta T (change in temperature) at ambient can range in my area from -10F to 95F depending upon the season. A normal "hot" Sprinter transmission around the 180F engine temperature mark (which mine hangs around
under normal driving conditions) has a much tighter delta T. That, and making certain the transmission fluid is distributed properly in the operating transmission, is why transmission fluid is measured idling "hot" with the transmission typically having first been shifted to reverse, forward and then back into neutral or park.
Discussions on the forum indicate that the Sprinter transmission temperature
in typical normal operation runs within 10F range of the engine coolant temperature. Thanks mostly goes to TH43 for that info. As I show below, in the "Hot" range that is a 2.5 mm or less than 1/8" possible dipstick level error.
Here's a chart that Dick Autostaretx was so kind to provide. If you look at the possible measuring error at 176F as opposed to +/- 10F (around 180F) I think you will see that it is a very small potential error. The change from 170F to 190F (
a full 20F delta) is around 5 mm (approx. 3/16"). Please look at 3/16" on a ruler scale to help remind you how little distance that is.
View attachment 81964
I don't recommend "flying blind". I recommend getting the engine temperature up to the 180F range "HOT" and then checking the transmission fluid level per the procedure.
The MB engineers and marketing people are smart. Smart enough to know that specifying a transmission temperature and having an associated graph is good business.
Let's see... If we put out a tight temperature specification (which can only be read by our sophisticated scan tool) for transmission level testing then the customer will need to come into the dealership for that service. Oh wait...
if they have a dipstick then they may just wing it. Call production and have them eliminate all transmission dipsticks. Design some sort of red security tab to seal the tube too. That should scare them away from messing with it. Have Helga submit the U-CAN-HELPII cost reduction saving form for dipstick elimination. Inform the dealerships we found a way to increase repeat business by having them come in for the fluid level checks.
If one is concerned about getting the transmission fluid level up to the top of the range then an ambient temperature of 60F to maybe 75F "Hot Test" should be ideal. For those willing to be happy with being somewhere within the range then the ambient becomes less critical. Remember, 20F delta is only 3/16" error.
I can't argue that, if you possess the means, the best way is to access the temperature. That said, a "Hot Test" is better than no test at all.
For those interested more discussion and detail is provided in this thread.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14804
Should you have any discussion or comments about my "Hot Check" please take it over to that thread.
*******************************
HOT Check Procedure
Take your Sprinter for a drive until the engine temperature has been operating at around 180F for a time. That will assure that the drivetrain is up to a "Hot" operating range. Find a level area to park. You can then follow the MB transmission fluid level test instructions.
This method will also work in lieu of the MB instructions.
After warming as described above, idle your engine for a bit. Don't shutdown the engine. Without actually moving the vehicle shift into reverse for a bit, into drive for a bit and then back to Park. This assures that the fluid is distributed in the various sections and passages. Check your transmission level while the engine is running. If you are within the acceptable 176F Hi/Low (Max/Min) range on the dipstick then replace the dipstick cap (after over 80,000 Sprinter miles I know that the red seal is not necessary) and close the hood. If you think that the level needs to be at exactly the tip top then you should acquire the temperature information. FWIW. vic
DIY dipstick reading tip: A DIY dipstick may not show fluid level as clearly as the OEM $$$ unit. I find that if I wipe the stick well immediately before inserting it into the dipstick tube, carefully draw it out, and then press the end flat against a flat piece of paper towel the fluid is easily read by what wicks onto the paper towel. I also find that after filling the transmission via the dipstick tube it is best to wait for quite some time before doing a level check. Otherwise the fluid hanging in the inside of the tube gets on the DIY dipstick as it is pushed in which makes seeing the level on the stick more difficult.
This is one type factory style dipstick.
View attachment 81965