Oil level too high? Really?

[anarchy-inc]

Over the last couple of days I've been getting this message to "Reduce Oil Level".

I have not added any oil and it's been some time since the last oil change although a month ago I did check the level and it was fine.

Could the cold weather have anything to do with this message? What can I do? Or what should I do?

 

[sspeed]

Ignore it..
The half assed system that MB use for measuring oil is notoriously CR*P!

My car holds 6.5 litres and when I came to change my oil I only removed 5 litres !! There was no Dash warning at all !!
That cant be a good engineering policy.
I replaced it with 6.5 litres and again no warnings..
Way too inaccurate for my liking..
Bring back the Dipstick !!

On a lot of MB's you can get into the service mode which gives a far more accurate measurement..
Try the following:

Note: If the engine has just been running, let the vehicle stand for around 10-15 minutes before starting this procedure.

1. Make sure that your display in your cluster is set to the default Mileage and Trip distance, then turn ignition off..
Then with the vehicle on level ground, put the key into the ignition and turn it clockwise to position 2 and make sure that the central display on the dash reads Miles / Trip distance and is NOT displaying mpg / temp or any other info..

2. Turn off ignition and now turn to position 1

3. Press the 'Reset' push button on the extreme left-hand edge of the instrument cluster quickly 3 times.

4. Turn the ignition key clockwise from position 1 to position 2 (second position).

Press the 'Up Arrow' on the left of the steering wheel ONCE. Hopefully it will show 'Oil level _._l' somewhere)
Wait for 10 seconds or so for the oil reading to take place.. It will display something like 6.1 litres (or whatever)..
Of course, having a reading in litres of the quantity of oil currently residing in your sump is pretty meaningless if you don't know what the correct reading should be.
In my case the C270 Diesel is 6.5 litres

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Try sspeed's method of checking oil level first to see what reading you get.

Is it due for an oil change? Might be worth getting it done.
Is the coolant level ok and doesn't need constant topping up?
When you say cold weather, what sort of temperature are you talking about and if sub zero does it have the correct anti-freeze mix?

Just thinking of possible water ingress into the sump. (Hope it's not).

 

[anarchy-inc]

Yeah it's cold, see the pic, it's around -9C at the moment. Coolant level is fine and I've never needed to top it up since I got the car 2 years ago. I've never had to add oil either except the obvious at oil changes.

I will try the method described in the morning.....hopefully the snow will have stopped.

 

[rorf]

Cold weather and short journeys cause much condensation inside an engine causing high acid build up therefore it is recommended to do oil changes more frequently (that is if you wish to keep your vehicle for any length of time).

Below a pic of a ML that had yearly oil changes and very short daily trips

 

[anarchy-inc]

Well, it's due for an oil change and I've got the state inspection (similar to the MOT) coming soon so I'll get it all done at once.

I guess I still wonder why it thinks the level is high and what the relationship is to the cold weather.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

If the engine is only used for short journeys and isn't getting hot, especially in cold weather, any condensation formed within the engine will all run down into the sump and raise the level. Oil floats on water. Take the oil filler cap off and see if there's any thick white-ish grey gunge. What temperature does it run at? Is should be between 80º and 90º.

 

[sspeed]

Cold weather and short journeys cause much condensation inside an engine causing high acid build up therefore it is recommended to do oil changes more frequently (that is if you wish to keep your vehicle for any length of time).

Below a pic of a ML that had yearly oil changes and very short daily trips

Blimey a picture IS worth a thousand words...

 

[rf065]

I bought a dipstick & know for certain the oil level is correct, but now & again I've had the same warning. Trust Mercedes to engineer a solution to a problem that never existed, a dipstick is the only way to check oil levels.

Russ

 

[merovingian]

Opposite problem

I did an oil change and put in 6.5 litres;Then I checked the level with the engineering menu it said 6.4 litres, so I put in a drop more and it was still showing 6.4 litres so I added a tiny drop more, still 6.4 litres so I called it quits. Whilst on a long run from Mons belgium to Plymouth and at high speed with a hot engine, this oil level warning pops on, then goes off. When its cold no further message so I thought when i get home i'll take a drop out thinking it might blow an oil seal or something. Having read the previous post should i be concerned or not? My thinking being that at 120.000 miles it will use some oil anyway and reduce itself.

 

[rf065]

I've experimented with mine during oil changes, after draining ALL oil from the engine the electronic level tells me I still have 1.6l left which is not true.

Checking it periodically while I refill, it goes from 1.6l to 6.4l but never above that. Even though the engine is supposed to hold 6.8l it never shows more than 6.4l. I did this over the last 4 or 5 oil changes and it is consistant.

Checking the oil with a dipstick is the only way to know for certain if you have too much or too little oil in the engine and even when you are 100% certain it is correct, the electronic warning can still appear.

Dipstick for Mercedes Engine W203 W204 W209 W211 W220 SL CL SLK CLK CLS NEW BEST | eBay

Russ

 

[190]

....Trust Mercedes to engineer a solution to a problem that never existed..

And blame bone idle drivers too for thinking an electronic display of oil level is a good idea. Would MB engineer something the customer didn't want ?

mmm yes they would.



Thankfully mine came with a dipstick.