Read the handbook!

[BenzComander]

Have been checking the oil level on my W210 E320 petrol by using the dipstick, but seems I was mistaken. Read in the handbook that you should check it with the electronic readout on the dash!

Tried this just now and it wants me to put two litres of oil in! Admitedly the level is just on the bottom of the dipstick, but two litres seems a lot!

What do other people do to check the oil on the V6 engine??

 

[mark.t]

dip stick.......................i use ...and for gods sake pour it slow and in small amounts and keep checking that bloody oil creeps up that stick quick....easer to put in than take out

 

[grober]

I would regard the electronic readout as a "check" and the dipstick (assuming you have one) as a measurement. 2 litres seems to be pretty common as the difference between fill and full mark. I tend to have the oil level about half way.-- 1 litre up from the fill mark.

 

[Rory]

Have been checking the oil level on my W210 E320 petrol by using the dipstick

If level is at the bottom of the dipstick, then you haven't been checking it very often!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Dipstick is best if you're able. As grober says, use the electronic approach as a simple check - when you really should check the oil but:

I find the following are all times when the electronic check might come in handy:

• It's dark.
• It's raining.
• There's 6 inches of snow.
• There has been 6 inches of snow so the cars filthy, and you don't want to get it on your hands.
• You have a new white shirt on, and it's not an ordinary shirt, it's one of those posh ones from Marks with holes for cufflinks and everything - must remember to get some cufflinks.
• You're going out to dinner, and you've just had an argument with the other half whilst getting ready.
• You're going on holiday and forgot to do it the night before, but there is a 400 mile drive ahead of you - oh, and it's 05:00 in the morning although you intended to be gone by 04:00.
• You really are lazy and it takes all the enthusiasm you can muster to press the trip computer button.
• You've run out of kitchen towels and the other half will kill you if you use the new tea towells. Again.
• The new chrome grille you bought from a bloke in Luxembourg on ebay didn't fit right without adjusting the bonnet release catch, and you accidentally over-engineered the solution by removing it completely.
• The bloke next door is showing off by taking 4 hours to wash and check the oil and tyre pressures on his TVR. You pop out and say, "You inspired me to the same when I get back from the farm shop". When you get back you ask him to tell you all about his car, and after two minute press the trip computer button. Read the gauge and say "All done - I think my breakfast's ready".
• You promised the other half you did it properly at the weekend when she accuses you of having spent the whole time on MBClub.co.uk

Still got to much time on my hands. Maybe I should check the oil with the dipstick whilst I have the chance.

 

[BenzComander]

Dipstick is best if you're able. As grober says, use the electronic approach as a simple check - when you really should check the oil but:

I find the following are all times when the electronic check might come in handy:

• It's dark.
• It's raining.
• There's 6 inches of snow.
• There has been 6 inches of snow so the cars filthy, and you don't want to get it on your hands.
• You have a new white shirt on, and it's not an ordinary shirt, it's one of those posh ones from Marks with holes for cufflinks and everything - must remember to get some cufflinks.
• You're going out to dinner, and you've just had an argument with the other half whilst getting ready.
• You're going on holiday and forgot to do it the night before, but there is a 400 mile drive ahead of you - oh, and it's 05:00 in the morning although you intended to be gone by 04:00.
• You really are lazy and it takes all the enthusiasm you can muster to press the trip computer button.
• You've run out of kitchen towels and the other half will kill you if you use the new tea towells. Again.
• The new chrome grille you bought from a bloke in Luxembourg on ebay didn't fit right without adjusting the bonnet release catch, and you accidentally over-engineered the solution by removing it completely.
• The bloke next door is showing off by taking 4 hours to wash and check the oil and tyre pressures on his TVR. You pop out and say, "You inspired me to the same when I get back from the farm shop". When you get back you ask him to tell you all about his car, and after two minute press the trip computer button. Read the gauge and say "All done - I think my breakfast's ready".
• You promised the other half you did it properly at the weekend when she accuses you of having spent the whole time on MBClub.co.uk

Still got to much time on my hands. Maybe I should check the oil with the dipstick whilst I have the chance.

The independant I use also said you should check it when the engine is hot??

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The independant I use also said you should check it when the engine is hot??

Best when the oil's warm, but wait a couple of minutes to let all the oil get back into the sump.

Hence the need to squeeze in the farm shop and two minutes in somewhere.

 

[BonzoDog]

Having been a dipstick all my life I cannot get over the novelty of pressing a few buttons and hey presto - no mucky hands, no bits of paper stuffed in odd places under the bonnet, no drips on the top of the engine - I love it.
My wife has an even better version. Little light comes on and says oil warning. She presses the buttons goes to Mercedes and they top it up for free immediately. Service, service, service.

 

[blackscooby]

Best when the oil's warm, but wait a couple of minutes to let all the oil get back into the sump.

Hence the need to squeeze in the farm shop and two minutes in somewhere.

We've got a proper dipstick on these ?
Must RTFM to find it ! I didn't realise we had one on the 32's !

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We've got a proper dipstick on these ?
Must RTMF to find it ! I didn't realise we had one on the 32's !

Sadly not on the 32s. Although they could have put it under the airboxes and supercharger - it seems you have to remove them to get to everything else!!

Other models do have both - our ML for example.

 

[BlackC55]

Always check it when the car is hot five minuites after switch off. The oil level should be 1mm below the max mark.

Do not believe the dash measurement as these tend to tell you to put too much in. They are a rough guide thats all. Even with cars with no dipstick. Go to a dealer/specialist and they will measure it propery with a workshop dipstick and probably won't charge you.

 

[BenzComander]

Always check it when the car is hot five minuites after switch off. The oil level should be 1mm below the max mark.

Do not believe the dash measurement as these tend to tell you to put too much in. They are a rough guide thats all. Even with cars with no dipstick. Go to a dealer/specialist and they will measure it propery with a workshop dipstick and probably won't charge you.

I think this was why I posted, I am not sure I would trust the readout, when you can simply pull out a dipstick!!

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

My garage told me to put in half the amount recommended by the auto check.