E280 computer??

[Quigs]

Just picked up my 56 plate E280 sport (facelift) and Ive just spent most of the afternoon going around in circles with the computer settings. Im having trouble with

1) Changing the (small) digital speed reading to mph
2) Trying to find the engine oil level
3) Displaying the tyre pressures, its fitted and Ive reset etc can't get any display

Any thought? Thanks in anticipation

 

[st4]

1. That needs enabled on star, you may wish to keep the km read out as its handy for driving abroad and you have a big one in MPH anyway,
2. The OM642 engine has a dip stick, you don't do that in dash.
3. Not sure. IIRC the car just warns you when tyre pressures are low, not give actual readings

 

[Quigs]

Thanks - Wished I'd asked this earlier, could have spent 3 hours doing something else useful instead!

With regards the pressures, the manual does show a plan view with the readings at each corner.

 

[st4]

Maybe an option on your car, I had 2 E classes and neither did that with the pressures. The 220cdi did have an oil level in dash, the V6 has a proper dip stick

 

[Quigs]

So did yours just warn when pressures were low?

 

[st4]

Nope, never had that feature. The rumble on the road was the warning sign when my E320cdi popped a tyre, that and the funny steering...

 

[woodley_bob]

Nope, never had that feature. The rumble on the road was the warning sign when my E320cdi popped a tyre, that and the funny steering...

Agree there is an optional system/sensor which gives you the real tyre pressure. However I think the W211s are supposed to use the ABS sensors to work out when a tyre is flat because it rotates faster. Mine has a menu which looks like it does that but I have to confess it has never activated, even when I did have a puncture! Maybe not as useful as it looks?

The manual shows all this optional stuff but it isn't necessarily on the OP's car. Same for the oil level I think, although I have driven one fitted with that system and I think you need to switch off the engine and leave it for a while before it will register a level? (That was on a 280 CDI)

 

[mersum1es]

Agree there is an optional system/sensor which gives you the real tyre pressure. However I think the W211s are supposed to use the ABS sensors to work out when a tyre is flat because it rotates faster. Mine has a menu which looks like it does that but I have to confess it has never activated, even when I did have a puncture! Maybe not as useful as it looks?

The manual shows all this optional stuff but it isn't necessarily on the OP's car. Same for the oil level I think, although I have driven one fitted with that system and I think you need to switch off the engine and leave it for a while before it will register a level? (That was on a 280 CDI)

VIN code will tell, if I remember right, the codes are different depending is the system using rotating sensor or real pressure sensor.

I think computer oil level measurement should be in all cars nowadays. Like said, car need to be standstill for a while, and ignition on when starting the measuring. Stupid thing (at least in my car) is that measurement says 'OK' when it is within the limits. Only when oil amount is short, it will tell how much short... Star will tell right right value all the time (mine does not have dipstick at all).

 

[Quigs]

Thnaks for all your replies - I had the oil level option on my W210 320 but there doesn't seem to be the option on my W211 which I find strange. I would have thought it be standard equipment. Back to dipping then!

 

[television]

It will warn you if the level drops, that is the main thing

On the sensors, the direct system with the monitors in the tyre valves is a very expensive system to maintain, the valves are £100 each and last for 6 years, they corrode in the rims and they can be pigs to get out. the indirect system that is standard now from the new year I think works well and it warned me when a tyre was down to 20lb

 

[st4]

It will warn you if the level drops, that is the main thing

On the sensors, the direct system with the monitors in the tyre valves is a very expensive system to maintain, the valves are £100 each and last for 6 years, they corrode in the rims and they can be pigs to get out. the indirect system that is standard now from the new year I think works well and it warned me when a tyre was down to 20lb

If you mean the engine oil light then you are correct but it means you really need to stop and get oil in there ASAP. Best carry a litre or two spare.

 

[television]

If you mean the engine oil light then you are correct but it means you really need to stop and get oil in there ASAP. Best carry a litre or two spare.

Not always Steve, but best to check, not good playing around with oil warnings though it may just say add a ½ or 1 litre and to do that as soon as you can.

In many cases it gets harder to know what to do. If it asks for 1 litre, just put ½ in and see, particularly if you have just been on the motorway, nothing worse than the message "oil level too high" as not easy to get out.

 

[st4]

Thats why I love a dipstick. Once every two weeks you can check the oil. Easy. The modern cars make this harder although they never seem to leak the 220cdi cars so what goes in, stays in and a man puts new oil in when she gets serviced.

I love reliable cars.

 

[television]

Hawk20 sold his S class is it drove him nuts, put some oil in, take some oil out, MB could not fix the fault so as you say the good old dip stick never fails