C Class Coupe Oil level

[Andrew Rolland]

Hi all

Here is a query for you.

When my finacee first bought her merc we checked the oil level when the car was parked on the level and the oil level was fine according to the cars computer.

We then checked it again when parked on our driveway which has a slight slope but it is virtually flat and the oil level was fine once again. Car was parked with the nose pointing down the slight slope.

Car was serviced on Monday and we checked the oil level when parked on the level at the garage and it was fine according to the cars computer.

Got home and parked on the same part of the driveway as before and checked the oil and rather worringly it said to add 1 litre to get to the max level.

She then checked the oil level the next morning after moving the car to the level and once again the oil level was fine according to the cars computer.

What my question is when parking on the level and then again on a slight slope how come there was a difference of nothing before the cars service and now there is a difference of add 1 litre?

Could the oil level before have been too high but not enough to trip the computer into thinking that the oil level was too high?


Can anyone tell me the sump capacity of the car 2003 53 plate 1800 cc C200K?

I'm going to go and buy enough oil on the way home from work tonight to carry out an oil change on my car (6.5 litres worth!) and as the Merc (and my lawnmower!) uses the same oil as by BMW I want to buy it in bulk.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


Andrew

PS Can I not have a dipstick?

 

[television]

As there are 7 different C 200K cars the vin first 6 numbers are needed.

 

[Andrew Rolland]

Do the 1800cc C200K have different sump capacities then?

I'll get the VIN no tomorrow.

Andrew

 

[television]

Do the 1800cc C200K have different sump capacities then?

I'll get the VIN no tomorrow.

Andrew

Cant answer that, but some cars do have problems with the electronic oil level readers

 

[Andrew Rolland]

Cant answer that, but some cars do have problems with the electronic oil level readers

Yeah I have heard that before, just a bit concerned that I have such a difference in oil level readings.

Not convinced by electronic gadgets to measure something as critical as oil level.

Andrew

 

[television]

Yeah I have heard that before, just a bit concerned that I have such a difference in oil level readings.

Not convinced by electronic gadgets to measure something as critical as oil level.

Andrew

Hi Andrew, I hate mine as it can do the same thing, its actually quicker to lift the bonnet and wipe a stick than pressing all of the buttons.

I totally agree with you

 

[Cnics]

I agree fully. Its nice to be able to do everything from the drivers seat, but unfortunately the computer cannot tell you if that hose has rubbed agaisnt something and started to leak. It may be some time before you know about this in the car and the first signs may be your visit to the hard shoulder.

I always check oil/everything else the manual way.

 

[jberks]

It sounds to me like they've not put enough oil in but possibly by less than 1l. There is a fair amount of leeway with these thngs anyway - depending on the ange it's parked on, the reading will vary slightly and trip the 'add 1l' message. The actual difference could one 0.1l
On the upside, I'd rather have a measuring device warn me about a leak or a low level, than the oil pressure warning system as when that comes on, it's already too late!

 

[jberks]

It sounds to me like they've not put enough oil in but possibly by less than 1l. There is a fair amount of leeway with these thngs anyway - depending on the ange it's parked on, the reading will vary slightly and trip the 'add 1l' message. The actual difference could one 0.1l
On the upside, I'd rather have a measuring device warn me about a leak or a low level, than the oil pressure warning system as when that comes on, it's already too late!

 

[Andrew Rolland]

Thanks guys.

There appears to be a tube where a dipstick would go if it had one, it is to the left hand side of the block next to cylinder 4 but it has a blanking plug instead of a dipstick. It comes out of the sump I'm sure or at least the side of the block.

Could I insert a 'homemade' dipstick? But I would need to know how far down I need to insert it in the tube. I guess I would need to feel for the bottom of the sump pan but I would need to know how far up the 'homemade' dipstick the levels should be.

Hmmm

Andrew

 

[type49]

To check your oil level EXACTLY.

Engine hot.
Leave for 15 mins on level ground.
Insert key & turn to position 1 (not ignition on).
With the steering wheel controls, scroll to either outside temp or MPH (cant remember which one for your car).
Press the reset button to the left of dash cluster 3 times quickly.
You should now have a "new" screen.
Use the menu buttons on the wheel to find a page that has "OI" at the bottom.
Then turn key to postion 2 (ignition on).
Your actual oil amount will be displayed.
You should have 5.5 litres.8) 8)

 

[television]

If you see a post floating around from Type49 please stick it here, this brought it up

 

[type49]

If you see a post floating around from Type49 please stick it here, this brought it up

Thanks Malc

 

[Andrew Rolland]

To check your oil level EXACTLY.

Engine hot.
Leave for 15 mins on level ground.
Insert key & turn to position 1 (not ignition on).
With the steering wheel controls, scroll to either outside temp or MPH (cant remember which one for your car).
Press the reset button to the left of dash cluster 3 times quickly.
You should now have a "new" screen.
Use the menu buttons on the wheel to find a page that has "OI" at the bottom.
Then turn key to postion 2 (ignition on).
Your actual oil amount will be displayed.
You should have 5.5 litres.8) 8)

Thanks very much type 49.

Much appreciated.

The above isn't in the handbook. In fact while I'm on the subject, the handbook that she got with the car appears to be for a C Class Saloon! She got a little book with comments about the Coupe.

For example, the car in question is a 1.8 litre (1796cc or summat like that) but badged as a C200 but nowhere in the handbook does it mention the 1.8 litre engine. The C180 reffered to in the handbook is described as having a 2.0 litre engine. Which ofcourse has a different sump capacity.

Andrew

 

[hmang]

To check your oil level EXACTLY.

Engine hot.
Leave for 15 mins on level ground.
Insert key & turn to position 1 (not ignition on).
With the steering wheel controls, scroll to either outside temp or MPH (cant remember which one for your car).
Press the reset button to the left of dash cluster 3 times quickly.
You should now have a "new" screen.
Use the menu buttons on the wheel to find a page that has "OI" at the bottom.
Then turn key to postion 2 (ignition on).
Your actual oil amount will be displayed.
You should have 5.5 litres.8) 8)

does the dealer go through all this effort every service.?
that looks like 20 mins labour just to check the level.
thats about 30 odd quid.

 

[type49]

For example, the car in question is a 1.8 litre (1796cc or summat like that) but badged as a C200 but nowhere in the handbook does it mention the 1.8 litre engine. The C180 reffered to in the handbook is described as having a 2.0 litre engine. Which ofcourse has a different sump capacity.

Andrew

Yours is a 1.8, as is the c180, c200 & c230. Mercs & bmw have always badged cars according to their engine output equivalent. Most of the time the badge is the correct cc but not always. A c230k is a 1.8 but has the power of a 2.3. A BMW 745 of a (few years ago) was a 3.2 turbo, A BMW 316 in the mid 80s was a gutless 1.8. A new CL500 is a 5.5.
There are loads of "wrong" ones.

 

[Phil D]

Accurate indeed ! the standard method read "add1.5 ltres", the type 49 way showed 4.9 litres againast a stated capacity of 6.5 (c220 cdi)
thanks - now off to see if it increases my "service due at"
Phil time

 

[type49]

Accurate indeed ! the standard method read "add1.5 ltres", the type 49 way showed 4.9 litres againast a stated capacity of 6.5 (c220 cdi)
thanks - now off to see if it increases my "service due at"
Phil time

Did it increase?

 

[Andrew Rolland]

Just to say thanks very much for the info once again. I finally managed to check it and you were spot on.

Checked the car with the nose pointing down and it said something like 4.3l. Remembering that it may not be hugely accurate I added 0.5l. Moved the car on to the level and sure enough level was read as 5.3l.

If the sump capacity is 5.5l, I would think having 5.3l would be o.k.

She now does this fairly regularly and it still reads 5.3l.

I also found a voltmeter in the cars computer when trying the above method to get the oil level.

Thanks again

Andrew

 

[Phil D]

sorry about the delay in replying to type 49 - been on holiday - in fact the service interval didn't increase at the time, but a couple of weeks later I drove up to Scotland to visit my sister & halfway ther when I checked the service interval it had gone up by 400 miles
it is still only giving me 11 - 11500 between services though so I'm not hugely impressed