Oil Dip Stick Question
02-21-2010, 10:56 PM
#26
MBWorld Fanatic!
In my humble opinion the oil level sensor should be used as an adjunct to a dipstick.
I have operated marine & power station bearing oil systems all my life & would never think of only depending on a sensor when putting equipment into service.
02-22-2010, 01:38 AM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
If I left my car to the sensors, I'd still be filling up my coolant and windshield reservoirs - and I'm not the first person here to need to have the sensor replaced. Sorry, but reliable electronics and MB are distant cousins at best.
Besides, double-checking the oil level after topping off the car would be a serious PITA if I had to rely on the MFD.
It sounds like the dipstick is sealing ok at the top - I would leave it in, drive around a couple of days, and see if the oil level has dropped. If it hasn't, pat yourself on the back for finding a dipstick that works for your car. I see nothing wrong with having a reliable oil level indicator in our cars, if only as a back up to the electronic nannies.
Besides, double-checking the oil level after topping off the car would be a serious PITA if I had to rely on the MFD.
It sounds like the dipstick is sealing ok at the top - I would leave it in, drive around a couple of days, and see if the oil level has dropped. If it hasn't, pat yourself on the back for finding a dipstick that works for your car. I see nothing wrong with having a reliable oil level indicator in our cars, if only as a back up to the electronic nannies.
To top up the car, I use dyno mode - pour some in and the display instantly reads the addition. Hit it spot on 5.5L and I'm good to go. This has worked for 75,500 miles so far - to my knowledge my car is an oil dipstick virgin.
I'm not bashing anyone for having the dipstick as a back-up. Actually, I'm not bashing anyone. I just don't subscribe to the extremes some people do about their vehicles. Running a few tenths of a liter short on oil won't hurt the car, there's no need to change the oil more often than the computer says (personally proven this is OK for mine), and I don't have any issue trusting the electronics because they've never given me a reason not to. It's much more convenient, and that was the point.
I can't help but wonder if the same people who refuse to trust the electronic oil monitoring would also refuse to trust TPMS.
02-22-2010, 04:09 AM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think we are into a generational thing here. You may just have to put up with my Baby Boomer way of thinking. We can learn from each other in the process . John.
02-22-2010, 05:51 AM
#30
Super Moderator
With your belt & braces tight you will never be caught with your pants down & low oil in your $20,000 engine.
In my humble opinion the oil level sensor should be used as an adjunct to a dipstick.
I have operated marine & power station bearing oil systems all my life & would never think of only depending on a sensor when putting equipment into service.
In my humble opinion the oil level sensor should be used as an adjunct to a dipstick.
I have operated marine & power station bearing oil systems all my life & would never think of only depending on a sensor when putting equipment into service.
One large IPP that shall remain nameless screwed up the same Pielstick on 3 occasions. Each time requiring a new or refurbished crank from MHI.
02-22-2010, 01:00 PM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
Have to chime in with my .02 about the dipstick vs. sensor monitoring of oil. I think the sensor monitoring is more accurate but who cares if you are down tenths of a quart in oil? You probably won't add any until it's down a quart and the dipstick is accurate enough to give you that reading. My gripe about using the dyno mode is it takes too long. I could pop the hood and check my oil level much quicker with a dip stick. The dyno mode is cleaner though :-)
02-22-2010, 03:19 PM
#32
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2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
Checked with my buddy at the Benz dealership and he put me on speakerphone to talk to one of the techs there and proceeded to ask him my question.
He said there's no problem using the dip stick and also was pleasantly surprised that the E55 dipstick works like a "regular" dipstick rather than the one the factory called for that won't go all the way in.
I have to admit that this has indeed been an interesting discussion and hope that in the end it's been a positive one.
He said there's no problem using the dip stick and also was pleasantly surprised that the E55 dipstick works like a "regular" dipstick rather than the one the factory called for that won't go all the way in.
I have to admit that this has indeed been an interesting discussion and hope that in the end it's been a positive one.
02-22-2010, 03:53 PM
#33
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02 C320 Sedan
Checked with my buddy at the Benz dealership and he put me on speakerphone to talk to one of the techs there and proceeded to ask him my question.
He said there's no problem using the dip stick and also was pleasantly surprised that the E55 dipstick works like a "regular" dipstick rather than the one the factory called for that won't go all the way in.
I have to admit that this has indeed been an interesting discussion and hope that in the end it's been a positive one.
He said there's no problem using the dip stick and also was pleasantly surprised that the E55 dipstick works like a "regular" dipstick rather than the one the factory called for that won't go all the way in.
I have to admit that this has indeed been an interesting discussion and hope that in the end it's been a positive one.
02-22-2010, 06:07 PM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
Have to chime in with my .02 about the dipstick vs. sensor monitoring of oil. I think the sensor monitoring is more accurate but who cares if you are down tenths of a quart in oil? You probably won't add any until it's down a quart and the dipstick is accurate enough to give you that reading. My gripe about using the dyno mode is it takes too long. I could pop the hood and check my oil level much quicker with a dip stick. The dyno mode is cleaner though :-)
For me, it's hit three buttons, press the arrow on the wheel, and turn the ignition to the on position. Takes somewhere around 20 seconds and is way, way quicker than opening the hood. My car can be half a quart low and not prompt me for more oil, but because I use dyno mode to check it, I keep my car at the specified level. Also, I cringe having to open my hood because the hood latch sounds like it might break at any moment.
02-22-2010, 07:10 PM
#35
Super Moderator
Is dyno mode more difficult in pre-facelift? For me, it's hit three buttons, press the arrow on the wheel, and turn the ignition to the on position. Takes somewhere around 20 seconds and is way, way quicker than opening the hood. My car can be half a quart low and not prompt me for more oil, but because I use dyno mode to check it, I keep my car at the specified level. Also, I cringe having to open my hood because the hood latch sounds like it might break at any moment.
For me, it's hit three buttons, press the arrow on the wheel, and turn the ignition to the on position. Takes somewhere around 20 seconds and is way, way quicker than opening the hood. My car can be half a quart low and not prompt me for more oil, but because I use dyno mode to check it, I keep my car at the specified level. Also, I cringe having to open my hood because the hood latch sounds like it might break at any moment.
