engine oil and electronic dipsticks

[number six]

Sorry may have posted in wrong forum (general) - apologies!

I have a new C 300 3 months old just covered 2,000 miles. I have tried recently to use the "electronic" dipstick to check the engine oil level on the multi-function screen. The car does not have a conventional metal dipstick. The instructions in the user manual are unclear as to exactly how this works, but states that oil level is assessed "during driving". It suggests running the car until warm before checking, but does not say whether reading should be done

1) immediately with the engine ticking over
2) leave engine ticking over for a few minutes to let oil return to sump
3) switch off first wait five minutes, then check.

The results I am getting range from just on the "min" mark with message "add 1 litre" up to about half-way between min and max. The reading does not appear to be necessarily higher when the engine is not running. Extremely ambiguous!

Concerning correct engine oil to add, I understand it must comply with Mercedes approval data sheet 229.51, but nowhere can I find any info on which viscosity rating.

MB customer services hopeless and seemingly unable to answer either query.

 

[LostKiwi]

The engine will tell you when running if it needs oil.
I usually check using engine off a minute before checking.
The MB229.51 oil spec has a range of viscosities that are approved. In general for the UK any will do the job perfectly fine though my own preference is as close to 10w-40 as possible.
If you go to the Opie Oils website they'll be able to recommend an appropriate choice.

 

[ajlsl600]

i prefer the assurance of seeing the level on the most basic and simple of ways.on the/a dipstick! given modern sensor reliability it was, so simple, why reinvent the wheel ?i could understand if it was an option for those unable/unwilling to lift the bonnet ,i quite like the reassurance of seeing the level physically i am delighted that my ML has one ,however the method of testing seems to have become more of a drama, ? my 40 yr routine was ,open bonnet, clen dipstick ,dip, level near or at top mark grand job done , simple. min top/find out why. i always found that quite a satisfying to do. now seems check after eng warm ? same kind of B applies to checking trans ,with non existent dipstick, level plug.

 

[number six]

I quite agree I would prefer to see the level clearly shown on a physical dipstick. And yes it does seem the majority of drivers these days can't be bothered with things like checking tyre pressures and oil levels, or simply wouldn't know how. But I would still love to know how this thing actually works, and why I am getting such unclear varying readings. As advised I will probably just wait for the car to tell me if/when it needs oil as I guess most folks do.

 

[ajlsl600]

prob bad/dirty connection. pass thru dealer and ask them to demonstrate the method of use .

 

[number six]

Is a new engine likely to have used any oil at 2,000 miles?

 

[John Laidlaw]

They usually have a disclaimer to say something like ‘up to 1 litre per 1000 miles’ but it does seem a bit unlikely , not impossible
Whilst having a physical dipstick is somehow more reassuring , I now trust the tech ( no choice anyway!)

 

[Blobcat]

Is a new engine likely to have used any oil at 2,000 miles?

Yes and no, depends upon how it’s been used and how much they put in to start with. If it’s been ragged from cold everyday then yes it could well have used oil and will continue to do so.

 

[number six]

Belated update with apologies....
I have established through trial and error how the system appears to work. A reset of the display reading (by opening bonnet & removal and replacement of oil filler cap) will force system to take a fresh measurement. So you commence driving as normal, display will initially say "measuring level". After approx 20 minutes varying driving conditions, correct level will be shown. I can only assume it will look at the lowest level, at sustained high revs, and highest level, at sustained tick over in traffic for example, and work out a reading somewhere between the two, also allowing for the engine to reach normal temperature. So turning engine off or leaving running or waiting five minutes makes no difference whatsoever to level shown. The next morning when cold, the same reading is retained and shown.
The user manual correctly states that the level is assessed during driving, and can take up to half an hour or longer if driven hard.
Most annoying thing about all this is the two attempts to get correct info and explanation from MB customer services, both times hopelessly, completely wrong. Is this system really different from everyone else's?

 

[ajlsl600]

reinventing the wheel again .40 yr of lift bonnet prior to start.dip .good. bonnet down go WHAT needed changing ??? are we now to stop 20 mile down the road to check /top or what ?

 

[LostKiwi]

reinventing the wheel again .40 yr of lift bonnet prior to start.dip .good. bonnet down go WHAT needed changing ??? are we now to stop 20 mile down the road to check /top or what ?

The thing is howa many people these days even know how to open the bonnet?
The MB system will alert when driving if oil too low (without stopping).

 

[ajlsl600]

where is the driver basic maintenance training ,is it no longer part of driving test ? i like the idea of a warning if all my oil starts to run out of the eng. but i DONT need any electrickery help on the basic principles after all where am i when the electrickery fails ? tipping my wallet out at the stealers ? all this check,fill, top at predetermined temps. trannies,now engines is becoming FAR more complex than it needs to be WHY ? i have a good idea of why. and it aint to make my life easier.

 

[number six]

Absolutely agree with these comments. This electronic reading method is quirky, clumsy and unreliable. You have to force a fresh reading as described above to get an accurate result, as after several hours continuous driving it will show incorrect level. Also it is not an instant "snapshot" of current level, which is surely all that is required. What a royal PITA

 

[number six]

Meant to say, on a more positive note, that I am finding this facelift model greatly improved over the original W205. Everything, from engine/ gearbox, suspension (airmatic) down to infotainment/satnav, seats even the stereo, all feel like a significant upgrade. Any other owners?

 

[zeeshh]

Hi, I've 17 plate E220 (W213) new model. just wonder what should be the correct engine oil level. when it was new I used to see the engine levels up near the Max line, after first service, It was little below the half of Min & Max. After first service at 12k, then at 24k I got an alarm message to add 1 litre of oil. I booked it in MB Basingstoke and they said because the B service is due in few days so that's why alarm message popped up. Let us do the B - service and it should be fine. so they B service done at 24k. Now at 28k after 4 months I just noticed the oil level is just above the Main and some times remains at Min for miles after miles - see pics. Is it normal level of oil ? checked it after 20 miles, 100 miles of running, same level.

 

[LostKiwi]

As you've seen, if it wants oil it will ask for it. If it doesn't ask just leave it alone as it's happy.

 

[zeeshh]

but in my previous E classes , never got the oil level message
I even had intervals of 14-15 k miles between services. But this is dropping oil levels since it's brand new ? ideally it should be at Max, as it used to be on the dipstick.

 

[Blobcat]

If it's filled to max they found that after driving it would report over-fill (happened to mine twice after service)

 

[LostKiwi]

I think you're over thinking it. If the level is stable (at whatever it settles at) and the car is constantly demanding top ups then nothing is wrong.

 

[John Laidlaw]

In a lot of these posts folk mention the electronic measurements are ‘unreliable ‘ .....any actual evidence ?
Personally as above, if the car asks for oil, give it some and if not leave it ....