Hi Everyone.... I have a couple of questions. First is in regards to a post made last year entitled "C Class (203) Tip", if you want to search for it. It was for those of us who want to change our own oil, and don't want to pay the $140 bucks Mercedes charges for a dipstick for our $40,000 cars. These are the instructions....

"C Class (203) Tip
For those of you that do your own oil changes on your new 203 body C classes, here is a tip that should help you out. When you do your oil change and complete it, you must all know these days that there isn't a "dip-stick" to check your oil. So you have a few options. One buy the MB tool for measuring it (why bother right?) go by the lame IC ready of O.K. or what have you. OR check this out.

Key in Position 1 press and hold the left cluster knob for approx. 20 secs (until you hear a beep)

Turn key to position 2 and hit the PAGE down key on the steering wheel. (don't mistake this for the arrow down key) depending on where you where at when you started, you may have to hit page down a few times to bring up the correct "test mode" of the IC.

You will know it when you see it, it will have software version etc.. it will also have an accurate measuring reading of the oil in the crankcase. Make sure you run the car and get it hot, then let it sit for a few minutes (yes you may start the car with this screen on) After sitting on level ground for a few minutes you want of reading of about 7.3-7.5 if you are under/over this may trigger a low/high oil light on.

Hope this little tip helps you guys out.

-Mac"

......... I've tried this several times, and can't seem to get this to work. I hold down the left IC button for the 20seconds, but it never beeps. Could some of you guys try this and get back to me.

Second thing. I don't want to buy a dipstick, but would sure like to be able to measure my oil level, the old fashion way, which is probably a little more accurate. Could someone that had the money to spend on a dipstick gives us the exact measurements on how far from the top of the reseviour hole the center of the range for the oil is, and how far on either side of that mark the oil can differ.
That would be greatly appreciated by alot of us.
Thanks,
Adam

 

actually, it's more like a minute or 40 seconds. and i dunno about position 1. the only time of done that was when the car was already on.

 

Yeah, definitely hold it longer than 20 seconds. Just keep holding till you hear the beep, don't let go at 20 seconds. Also, what kind of car do you have? Coupes have dipsticks. Do the C Sedans not have dipsticks? I know some of the newer high tech engines don't have them, but I thought C's would.

 

Its a c320. It doesn't have a dipstick. It has a hole where one can go, but it only comes with a little plastic cap. I spoke with the Benz dealer about buying one, and they said it would cost me $140 bucks, because its a "special tool". Lol... I thought that was pretty funny. Every other car, I've ever bought has this special tool attached to it. If someone that's actually bought one of these things could you plase post the actually lenght, I'd appreciate it, so I can fashion one of these special tools for myself.
Thanks,
Adam

 

getchellard,

You need to make one change to the instructions you posted.
Before you start, have the FSS display on the current mileage/total mileage display. Insert key and rotate to position 1.

Here is the change: press and hold the odometre reset/dash lighting level button - left side of instrument cluster. Do not hold down the botton on the steering wheel.
Hld the reset button down for about 20-40 seconds. You will then hear a beep. The diagnostic screen will then come on.
You will see a bunch of numbers/engine type/etc.
oil level will read -.- qts.
Rotate key to position 2 and you will see the level of the oil come on after it measures it.
Mine measured 8 quarts.
This will reset your current trip odometre reading in the process.
Hope this helps put.

Scott

 

and, ah - oh yea... this doesn't work on 2003 model year. farging bastages @MB took it out.

 

F A N T A S T I C!

This works great on my 2001 C240, 21 seconds ant it's up!

I asked the chief dealer mechanic how to know the amount of oil & they didn't know.

Do you think I should show them?,HA

Next time I'm in there I will take measurements of the "special tool" and post it. I think a length of aircraft cable should do the trick ( tightly wound steel, looks like a spring but isn't).

 

Pit Pony,

If you could get the measurements on the dipstick that would be awsome, especially for those of us who aren't able measure it the electronic way.

Thanks,

Adam

 

I am scheduled to be at the dealer on Tuesday (for yet another FAB key) and some front sway bar bushings and I will get the measurement and post it.

What are you planning to use to fab a dipstick with?

 

My local auto parts store sells generic dipsticks. Does anyone know if it's safe to leave a dipstick in the car? If it is, I'm going to cut it to the apprioprieate length, remove it from the handle it comes on, and make it match the factory cap that's currently in the hole. I'll score it with a dremel to give the appropriate oil level. The cap that I have in mine extends down into the engine about 3 inches, and has a nipple on it, so it looks almost like it was intended to an extension added to it, but they left the dipstick part off as an afterthought.

 

This is the MB "tool" for measuring oil in engin & transmission that fits all cars.

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Pit Pony,
Thank you so much from all of us who didn't want to spend the money.
Its very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Adam

 

Pit Pony, is this the permanent, in-place dipstick for the sedan, or the generic shop dipstick? Your post implies generic.

The shop dipstick is extra long to accomodate all MB models. You insert it until it bottoms in the oil pan, withdraw, and read how many millimeters of oil is on the stick. Some of the stick protrudes from the top of the tube (the hoop does not seat in the top of the tube). The shop dipstick is for temporary use. It is not intended to be left in the tube while driving.

Just want to be sure which stick you've posted pictures of.

 

This is the shop dispstick.

 

I bought the same dipstick from benz for $25.00.

TF