Oil Dip Stick Question
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
Oil Dip Stick Question
My car is an 03 CLK but thought there'd be more of a response to my question here.
Given that our cars come without a oil dip stick and just a cover I was wondering if anyone had decided to use a dip stick rather than a cover?
I pulled the one from my W210 and noticed that it fit perfectly and also gave me a correct oil level reading.
Is there any reason NOT to leave the dip stick in???
Given that our cars come without a oil dip stick and just a cover I was wondering if anyone had decided to use a dip stick rather than a cover?
I pulled the one from my W210 and noticed that it fit perfectly and also gave me a correct oil level reading.
Is there any reason NOT to leave the dip stick in???
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If you pulled one from a W210 and it works, I see no reason not to leave it in there...
I bought a dipstick. It's not something you can keep in your car while driving as it's about a foot or so longer than it needs to be for this. I was confused about how to use it (or even if I got the correct part) because it was so long, however found out you stick it all the way in until it bottoms out to make the measurement (I'm used to just putting the dipstick in all the way and then pulling it out, as I'm sure most are).
I bought a dipstick. It's not something you can keep in your car while driving as it's about a foot or so longer than it needs to be for this. I was confused about how to use it (or even if I got the correct part) because it was so long, however found out you stick it all the way in until it bottoms out to make the measurement (I'm used to just putting the dipstick in all the way and then pulling it out, as I'm sure most are).
Last edited by mtnman82; Feb 21, 2010 at 11:12 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
If you pulled one from a W210 and it works, I see no reason not to leave it in there...
I bought a dipstick. It's not something you can keep in your car while driving as it's about a foot or so longer than it needs to be for this. I was confused about how to use it (or even if I got the correct part) because it was so long, however found out you stick it all the way in until it bottoms out to make the measurement (I'm used to just putting the dipstick in all the way and then pulling it out, as I'm sure most are).
I bought a dipstick. It's not something you can keep in your car while driving as it's about a foot or so longer than it needs to be for this. I was confused about how to use it (or even if I got the correct part) because it was so long, however found out you stick it all the way in until it bottoms out to make the measurement (I'm used to just putting the dipstick in all the way and then pulling it out, as I'm sure most are).
I'll double check with my Mercedes contact at the dealer and see what they say and report back.
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The only reason I can see to not leave it in there is the sealing around the tube. The engine crankcase pressure may not be correct, and you really don't want unfiltered air going in or out. If it seals just like the plug, I see no reason not to leave it in there.
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
2001 E55, 2002 ML55, 2002 SL500, 2003 CLK55
I'm hoping that this may be a solution for everyone that's irritated with having to use a dip stick that doesn't fit or use the stupid electronic method.
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Care to elaborate on why the "electronic" method is stupid? Using dyno mode I can get an exact reading in my car to the tenth of a liter. I know it should be 5.5L. Why is this stupid? I don't have to open the hood.
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From: In Kush Land So cal
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I still don't understand why you wanna leave a dipstick in the car.. put it in your garage and save us from all these questions.. Your car has its own measuring level system use that.
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It's just that, to me, using a dipstick is far easier and simpler.
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From: Honolulu, Hawaii
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Why do so many folks ask about using the dipstick measuring method???
Same with the trans fluid. I'll be you if there was a measuring tool for the trans that you could leave in a ton of folks would do that.
Why do the older cars have a dip stick? Why not just guess about the oil level?
If the electronic method of checking was fool proof why is there a tube for a dip stick?
I never understand why there are always folks like you that have to say negative things about questions. If you ain't got nothing nice to say keep it to youself!
And here I thought I was onto something positive that I could share with folks here.
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No I didn't find it insulting. I just don't see how opening the hood and using the dipstick is easier than pressing a few buttons and getting an exact reading (something a dipstick cannot do). I don't think the dipstick says "You have 5.2L" when you pull it out? Rather it just shows a level between two lines? There has to be a dipstick tube in case the electronic sensor fails.
Edit: I agree with you about the transmission dipstick. That whole situation is ridiculous.
Edit: I agree with you about the transmission dipstick. That whole situation is ridiculous.
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No I didn't find it insulting. I just don't see how opening the hood and using the dipstick is easier than pressing a few buttons and getting an exact reading (something a dipstick cannot do). I don't think the dipstick says "You have 5.2L" when you pull it out? Rather it just shows a level between two lines? There has to be a dipstick tube in case the electronic sensor fails.
Edit: I agree with you about the transmission dipstick. That whole situation is ridiculous.
Edit: I agree with you about the transmission dipstick. That whole situation is ridiculous.
Just to me, the oil level is so important I'd prefer not to trust electronics. I know there are those that do.
Look at the fuel level sending unit on some Benz's. They're never accurate! LOL!
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Hrm. I can trust my car. I can drive it all the way down to "Distance 0" when its empty and it will really be empty. And its oil level readings are accurate. I much prefer this to the stupid range functions in other cars that turn to "Abandon all hope, all ye who drive further" when it drops to like 50 miles left.
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
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Thanks for the interesting posting & forget about grumpy.
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From: In Kush Land So cal
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You said nothing about the transmission dipstick thats a whole different story.. we could talk about all day.. The dipstick like lilbenz said is only there if the sensor fails. I do all my oil changes through the dipstick aswell. My first post said enough be safe then sorry. But if you don't care to listen to us then just leave it in and in two weeks let us know if anything goes wrong.
Then we can give out the correct info if something does really happen you know?
Booo this is sad just got my car waxxeddd and i don't wanna drive it in the rain BOO but i wanna go out
Sorry if im an ******* lol i quit smoking pot =D
Then we can give out the correct info if something does really happen you know?
Booo this is sad just got my car waxxeddd and i don't wanna drive it in the rain BOO but i wanna go out
Sorry if im an ******* lol i quit smoking pot =D
Last edited by krisv420; Feb 21, 2010 at 03:16 PM.
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We're talking about extreme scenarios here. The electronics can fail, yes. But what do you think are the realistic chances that your car will tell you it has a full load of oil when it has none? I mean, 4 thousandths of a percent?
I think you've got pretty good odds trusting the electronics. Indeed you should do whatever makes you comfortable, but don't try to pass extreme paranoia for common sense under the implication that those of us who use the electronic systems are being foolish. If I can't trust its simple oil level monitoring system to give me an accurate reading, I feel I could hardly trust its complex SRS system to protect me in a crash... oh bother, I guess I shouldn't drive it at all.
I think you've got pretty good odds trusting the electronics. Indeed you should do whatever makes you comfortable, but don't try to pass extreme paranoia for common sense under the implication that those of us who use the electronic systems are being foolish. If I can't trust its simple oil level monitoring system to give me an accurate reading, I feel I could hardly trust its complex SRS system to protect me in a crash... oh bother, I guess I shouldn't drive it at all.
Last edited by LILBENZ230; Feb 21, 2010 at 03:11 PM.
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MB have gone back to using dipsticks in later models. There must be a reason !.
I'd rather a dipstick & have the car a little cheaper & with one less thing to go wrong.
Wow, ... what an imposition to have to open your bonnet & check the oil. You never know you might check to see if everything is as it should be under there. eg any leaks, unusual noises ,brake fluid level & coolant level & top up the windscreen reservoir ect.
I'd rather a dipstick & have the car a little cheaper & with one less thing to go wrong.
Wow, ... what an imposition to have to open your bonnet & check the oil. You never know you might check to see if everything is as it should be under there. eg any leaks, unusual noises ,brake fluid level & coolant level & top up the windscreen reservoir ect.
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I prefer to drive a manual over a cutting edge DSG transmission. That's my preference, but I know the manual isn't any "better". Same principle applies here.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mr Carswell - Benz did have some failures with electronic oil level sensors. Newer models have a dipstick & a low oil level sensor - so a bit of a belt & bracers approach
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Sheesh, this was supposed to be such a simple harmless question and it turned out to be such a sensitive issue to some folks.
The oil tube is there and rather than just plug it with a cap I thought it'd be cool to use a dip stick if possible and I'm sure there are a bunch of folks that would like to do that also.
As I said, I'll check tomorrow and post back.
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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.
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From: milwaukee
2009 CLS550, 2005 E320 Estate 2017 GLC43C4
Stick or no stick, I often open the hood, just to look at the condition of belt or if a leak appears or if the antifreeze level has changed or discolored. The engine bay is a thing of beauty.
