My 1999 C280 has a very small leak of transmission fluid (I can see from underneath). I'd like to check the fluid level and add more fluid if needed. But I can not seem to locate where the stick is and where to add more fluid. Please help. Thanks.--xyxiao

 

The 1999 C280 does not have a dip stick because it is a sealed system. Unfortunatly, you'll need to take it in to a shop to have them measure he fluid level. They measure it with a special dip stick, a tool really, at a certain temperature to check the level.

 

Any idea how often the transmission and/or transmission fluid needs to be serviced? I don't know whether the (sealed) transmission has ever been checked or the fluid replaced on this car. The 9-year-old transmission has only 20K miles on it. It isn't slipping but is just a wee bit jerky: is that an artifact of the shift-on-fly feature?

 

MB and the domestic manufacturers have figured out a way to get you back to their outlets. No dipsticks on the tranny. How cheap can they get? Some GM have put back a measuring device it still sucks. They figure it if does not leak there should be no need to check it it it is leaking you need to get it fixed. Why? The Govt EPA says that oil leaking winds up on the ground then it rains it winds up in the sewer or ground then into the water tables or streams. I plan to fabricate some sort of device or find one that will perform the function.

 

As with many of the newer cars, you will be told that the transmission is "sealed" and the fluid doesn't need to be changed.
If you believe this, you will be buying a new transmission somewhere down the road. Maybe sooner, maybe later.
Take it to the dealer and tell them you want a tranny fluid flush and filter change. Good insurance if you're going to keep the car
as I am. My opinion.

 

There's a red cap on the tranny dipstick/filler tube. It's tricky to remove without breaking it so buy another one first. You'll need a service dipstick, it's just a very long dipstick that measure from the bottom up and you'll need the spec for your tranny, how many mm of oil. Like other trannys you measure itwith engine running in park. You fill it from the same spot with a funnel. There is one spot where these MB trannies seem to leak and it appears to come out of the electric connector. There's an O-ring inside that deteriorates and fails. Luckily the entire assmebly is cheap, about $8 at the dealer. As for servicing the tranny, i would recomend that be done every 50k miles or every 5-6 years as on my kid's 98 SLK it was very muddy looking with a lot of sludge on the pan. Make sure you also drain the torque converter and I believe it takes 7 pints if you did it right. Figure between service dip stick, red cap, 7 pints of MB tranny fluid, filter and gasket, it's about $150 to do it youself. The reason I don't like doing it myself is that it's in the center of the car and I get anxious under there with $10 jack stands and tranny fluid dripping out of everywhere. I paid $180 to have it done by my indy, dealer wanted $230.

 

My feelings exactly. Most people should not do this at home for those reasons. It's a mess too. Not worth the aggravation and risk.
That connector leaked on my car shortly after it was new, and they replaced it under warranty. Hasn't leaked since. He said it was
typical for it to leak there. Careful working on your car underneath it! I don't have to go any further, right? I have seen it happen and it's not pretty. Independent shops can do this job for you, as you said, and not too expensive. Well worth the money in this case.