No one has mentioned that for auto trans there is no dipstick, or that MB dealers have the tool to open the filler and also a dipstick to check the level.
Page 228 of Owners manual says change at 80,000 miles, then never again, but be sure to use Mercedes Benz approved MB 236.10, 236.12 (that is the spec)
Page 251 sez trans gets 8 liters (8.5 quarts). Page 253 repeats the 236.10, 236.12 spec AND states that "synthetic Dexron III Transmission Fluid may be substituted".
So, people, the big deal is of course that, correct fluid issue aside, too much will blow out seals and too little will let the trans burn up.
I am asking my mechanic (charging me $170 for labor, gasket, filter) exactly how he is going to check the fluid level when he is done.... BEFORE I let him mess with it!
Actually, I dropped the car off tonight, and asked how he would proceed, and he said he would research it and if he did not learn what to do he would do nothing.
There is a utube out there talking about how Mercedes Benz Dealerships have the tool to get to the 'sealed' dipstick/filler tube and also a dipstick for this 5 speed transmission.