MiataMan

I have searched various places and can't find an aftermarket engine oil dipstick tool for a 2004 C240. I like to check my oil weekly to see if there is any change in the level. The auto check gives only a liter low warning which isn't accurate enough for me.

Are aftermarket (less that $200) tools available?

Thanks

tommy

Search this forum; there is an easter egg procedure for putting your car in dyno mode, which will give you an accurate reading of exactly how much oil you have in your car.

Also search for the "dipstick tool", which you can use - it's a dealer tool for manually telling you what the level your oil is at. You know, like they're supposed to come from the factory with. Though I'm not sure exactly what models it's available for (my 2002 has a normal dipstick).

neurodave

I just use the easter egg procedure tommy mentioned above.

Make sure car is on level ground
Turn key to first position
Press and hold the ODO reset button until it beeps (preferably do it from a view in the dash that isn't your mileage, as it will reset your trip ODO)
Turn key to last position (but don't turn car on)
Press the bottom most button on the left side of the steering wheel (double page button)

It will then show you a whole bunch of software versions, engine model, etc as well as oil level.

MiataMan

This method to get into Dyno Mode is a little different from what I saw on another post where it said to press the reset button 3 times quickly . . . But I'll try them both. Thanks a LOT!! (Really wish I weren't so compulsive about my oil but I keep my cars forever.)

Oh, and why is it called the "Easter Egg" procedure??

samaritrey

The way to get to dyno mode depends on your year so that's why you saw two procedures to get to it.

tommy

From video gaming; smashing a joystick's buttons in a specific sequence gives you extra sooper duper powers (infinite lives, invulnerability, double d's, etc.), thus an "easter egg", meaning a secret prize. wiki entry

cvx

EPC does not have that part listed at all o_0

WIS says to check oil with dipstick tool part number 120 589 07 21 00

Dealer should be able to sell it to you, in here it cost me about $30 for my OM611 engine

MiataMan

I was delighted to get into dyno mode last night using the 3 reset button press method and see that after an 8.0Qt. engine oil change (by draining from the oil drain plug) it was showing 7.6Qts.

Since the Oil Level and the Engine Code lines were blank when I got into dyno mode, I had to turn the key to position 2 and wait like 5 sec to get the engine oil level reading to appear on the screen. I don't remember reading this anywhere.

Maybe I can live w/o a dipstick after all?

Thanks for everybody's help!!