JDM

JDM

<br />I couldn't take it back to the shop so I chose to lower the oil level by cycling the oil filter into a coffee can to drain, then re-installing it and starting the car and idling for a few moments before again draining the filter into the coffee can , a ridiculous number of around twelve times to get the level within the dipstick specs. It worked, but good grief..really? The dipstick is not at all vague!

superangrypenguin

HOLY MOLY. Was this oil change or w/e done at a dealership?!

B737

this is very common. esp coming from dealerships, and oil change places. they dump in 8qts (non 4matic quantity) and call it a day.

like most enthusiasts, we treat it as an exact science but it's not. good job on the correction, mine was the exact same. i can only wonder if it was driving around its entire life of 28,000 miles like that.

edgalang

^^^ THIS. OR...

They filled it cold, then checked the dipstick after starting the engine adding more oil after the fact to get it "just right".

B737

holy crap. not very reassuring! we are prob .01% of driving community as a whole, imagine how many people are driving around with the wrong amount of oil oblivious lol
reason #473 to DIY

superangrypenguin

Precisely why I started to do my oil oil changes. I got tired of reminding the dealership to stop overfilling and to stop underfilling (after I told them to stop overfilling)

Mind you it's never been as bad as the OP

tommiett

I'm sure many know... but if you think your MB mechanic is doing oil changes, your sooo wrong. They have minimum wage oil change kids. My MB is still getting free maintenance and before I leave the dealership, I check the oil level and check for leaks. When the maintenance runs out, I'll do it myself.

superangrypenguin

This isn't true in my neck of the woods.

MB Dealership charges $148/hour for labor

All mechanics that start off at the dealership make around $21-23/hour, and they are certified MB mechanics (not Master technicians, but still certified techs).

These aren't Jiffy Lube $11/hour employees...thus why they get this so wrong is beyond me.

tommiett

That's possible... but my Toyota dealership does the same as you don't need to be a certified mechanic to change oil.

My MB dealership also washes my car with each service. Don't think the $148.00 an hour mechanic is doing that either.

superangrypenguin

Obviously the dude washing the car isn't a "mechanic"

dol4er

I have always checked the engine oil level before going to work, at cold engine... therefore I have topped it up accordingly. Now I noticed that the oil level changes a lot depending on the engine temperature.

When I check the oil level when the engine is cold, it is between the markers (let's say 8/10). When the engine is at operating temperature, the oil level is a above the top marker but still on the plastic part. I've been driving like that for a few months. I haven't noticed any issues... is it a problem? I hope it is not...

Probably I have been driving the car like that for 5 years because I have always checked the oil level when the engine is cold

Adi-Benz

better than....

superangrypenguin

WHOA STOP FOR A SEC. You should NEVER check your engine when cold. You should ALWAYS check once your engine is at operating temperature, then wait 5 minutes after turning off your engine - THEN using the dipstick. I'm not sure if your post was a joke/tongue in cheek, but holy moses did I jump up once I read your post.

dol4er

Definitely not a joke... I didn't know that and I am pretty sure I am not the only one.

At least now I know it...

superangrypenguin

Alfadude

That's why it is important to read/familiarize yourself with the owner's manual. Check out page 279 of it.

95Sinned420

Should invest in a mityvac lol would've been a 1 minute job to correct the level.