C200 no dipstick-and low oil level warning

[realslimshady]

2004 C200cdi gifted me by my brother. I told him 'it's got a low oil level warning', his reply, '100% it's a sensor problem' Trouble is, it won't check the level either- just keeps telling me to 'observe waiting period', even after driving 15 miles... Can I check it manually? Why do away with a physical dipstick??

 

[sug]

I m sorry I can't help with this but I note the auto box dipsticks have gone too. I despair . The old Mercedes were designed by engineers to give years of good reliable service . Each one I've had since the 190E has been a backward step in quality and design

 

[EmilysDad]

I m sorry I can't help with this but I note the auto box dipsticks have gone too. I despair . The old Mercedes were designed by engineers to give years of good reliable service . Each one I've had since the 190E has been a backward step in quality and design

It's not just MB that have dropped auto gearbox dip sticks. My 1999 Omega didn't have one (despite it being the same-ish gearbox as its Senator predecessor) , nor does EmilysMum's 60 plate Citroen

 

[realslimshady]

My 2005 320cdi did have a dipstick-did Mercedes come to their senses?

 

[range rover]

My 2005 320cdi did have a dipstick-did Mercedes come to their senses?

Well,mine doesn't! I remember my first MB was a 230TE and it had an oil pressure guage as well as a dipstick I think, it was a low oil pressure warning that alerted me to the new oil change cleaning out carbon, in the end we had to remove the sump and the oil suction pipe was nearly fully clogged with what looked like tea leaves, the previous owned had evidently been topping up instead of using the proper oil. Went flawlessly after that apart from the offside starting to disintegrate with rust.

 

[realslimshady]

but....how do I check the level in this car now??

 

[Paul1948]

go to ebay, that is where I got mine for W220 S merc

 

[LostKiwi]

Check it before you start the engine.
The waiting period is to allow oil to drain back to the sump after switching the ignition off. From memory it's about 10 minutes or so.

 

[realslimshady]

go to ebay, that is where I got mine for W220 S merc

so that is a dipstick tube for the engine on the rear lefthand side of the engine?

 

[realslimshady]

Check it before you start the engine.
The waiting period is to allow oil to drain back to the sump after switching the ignition off. From memory it's about 10 minutes or so.

won't do it. just immediately says to observe blah blah...

 

[AMGeed]

so that is a dipstick tube for the engine on the rear lefthand side of the engine?

Not sure on your engine, but be careful you aren't taking the ATF level instead of the engine oil level. The tube for the ATF will also be at the rear of the engine, but on top of the gearbox.

 

[ajlsl600]

you prob have a tube but no stick ! think original plastic top black and after red. its all just the beginning of makers engineering a way past us folks who like to look after things ourselfs. and continues with components we can replace but not repair and if we do replace /add then things are engineered such that we get had over by the , program update routine. what happened to plug and play ?

 

[EmilysDad]

you prob have a tube but no stick ! think original plastic top black and after red. its all just the beginning of makers engineering a way past us folks who like to look after things ourselfs. and continues with components we can replace but not repair and if we do replace /add then things are engineered such that we get had over by the , program update routine. what happened to plug and play ?

You come across as cynical

 

[ajlsl600]

You come across as cynical

i can take a bit of that . close to realist to me.

 

[realslimshady]

all very interesting, but not getting me any nearer checking my oil.....

 

[realslimshady]

I've just had a look. Transmission dipstick tube on the r/h side at the back, engine oil dipstick on the l/h side with a plastic cap on the tube. So Mercedes must have saved...oooh...pennies, not putting a thin strip of metal down that tube. What a joke. What the hell were they thinking??

 

[moosehead]

Definitely worth getting a dipstick if you can. Fortunately mine is fitted with one but several years ago I did have the low oil warning light come on. Luckily I checked the level before attempting to top up and it was up to the max mark. Turns out to be a dodgy sensor. According to my indie it was quite common for people to overfill due to dodgy sensors hence MB going back to a dipstick. It does worry me with my XC60 as that only has sensors. I know what I would prefer to rely on!

 

[mioba]

Stop moaning, get on ebay and get the workshop dispstick, they come with a printed list of where the oil reading should be for all engines. As mentioned make sure you get the dipstick for the engine oil and not transmission.

As mentioned they system is designed to measure the the oil warm. So let the car warm up, turn off, wait 5 mins (hence the message you get). Then dip your stick!

 

[V6Matty]

I've just had a look. Transmission dipstick tube on the r/h side at the back, engine oil dipstick on the l/h side with a plastic cap on the tube. So Mercedes must have saved...oooh...pennies, not putting a thin strip of metal down that tube. What a joke. What the hell were they thinking??

Pennies saved in the hundreds of thousands of that engine is not a small amount of money saved by not fitting it, there business model is to make money, they just do it by putting cars together

 

[davemercedes]

Pennies saved in the hundreds of thousands of that engine is not a small amount of money saved by not fitting it, there business model is to make money, they just do it by putting cars together

Naah...
They make money by NOT putting cars together!