[260e crusier]

I live on the bottom of a hill and my garage floor, driveway and street are sloped.

In regards to checking ATF level and filling differential fluid, how do I know if my car is level?

I have two floor jacks so I can raise one end of the car without any problem.

With my car parked in the garage, the front of the car is higher than the back (floor is lower at the garage door). When I placed a level on the car door sill near the B pillar, it actually shows that the front of the car is slightly lower than the back What is even more confusing is that the front jack pad is 1/2" higher than the back.

Thought about using a laser level and lining up the bottom of the rims, but jacking up the car means suspension travel will come into play.

 

[ntvnyer]

Check it somewhere else other than your garage?

 

[schumicat]

put a level on the roof of the car?

 

[260e crusier]

Check it somewhere else other than your garage?

Have to do it in my garage since I'm changing fluids and I have all my tools there.

 

[260e crusier]

put a level on the roof of the car?

If the door sill isn't level, I'm sure the roof won't be either.

 

[260e crusier]

OK...............figured it out. Will use laser level to find front and back axle height difference. Will then will use 1/2" pieces of plywood under the rear tires to level the car within +/- 1/2". Should be good enough.

 

[Check Codes]

Stick a level on the bottom of the transmission pan...

 

[Check Codes]

The transmission pan is easier. I have a cheap one that has a magnet on one side, that would work well.

Good luck.

 

[260e crusier]

Stick a level on the bottom of the transmission pan...

That would probably work for the transmission. Still have to do the rear differential.

There is at least two inches of height difference in my garage from the front axle to the rear. I once dropped a socket and it rolled out of my garage, down the driveway and across the street:eek. I always look out in the street now when I'm done working on my car to make sure I didn't lose any tools.

 

[rollin560]

change oil get it close then go for a drive fluid needs to be circulated and at normal operating temp to check correctly. on your drive stop in a parking lot and check the fluid and top off as needed. there is no exact amount to put in it needs to be in a certain range on the dip stick. (you did buy one of those they dont come with the car) as for the diff over fill a little then put pan under and open filler plug and it will drain to correct amount. auto parts stores usually dont mind if you check the oil in there parking lot just dont leave a mess.

the only tools you will need to take with you are a funnel-dipstick and the allen for the diff dont need the whole tool box

 

[Teutone]

I am not familiar with the W203, so this is general info.
Don't try to fill the fluid volume stated in your manual, as some of the old fluid will not drain (even if you let it drain overnight). After the filter is removed, drain the torque converter as well. You can get the torque converter drain plug (5 mm hex?) to line up by turning the front crank with a 27mm (= 1 1/16") in the way the engine turns. Clock wise when looking at the engine from in front of the car, with rear wheels raised off the ground (block the front wheels).
Make sure you have new filter with gasket and both drain plug washers as needed.
I am not sure whether your car has a transmission dip stick. If it does, filling up to the max mark on a cold, non running tranny means you'll have too much ATF fluid once the tranny is up to operating temperature, so whether the car in your garage is level or not won't matter much.
I usually fill 3/4 or so quart short of volume stated, then drive going through all gears until the transmission is up to temperature.
Find a level parking lot, keep engine running and top off little by little.
The difference from min to max on the tranny dipstick is only a fraction of a quart (unlike engine oil, where the difference from min to max is over 2 quarts).
Careful not to overfill. I'd rather be a tiny bit short.
Cheers