Oil Level and Indicator
06-01-2004, 06:41 PM
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2007 E350 Sport Package
Oil Level and Indicator
Taking my car into dealer tomorrow. Second time this month that car is down
over 1.5 quarts AND recevied no warning indication.
Any one else have a similar problem either with burning oil or no warning indication?
over 1.5 quarts AND recevied no warning indication.
Any one else have a similar problem either with burning oil or no warning indication?
06-01-2004, 07:09 PM
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2003 E-500
I've had two 2003 E-500's and neither used any oil in over 20,000 miles of driving--most at high speed.
Since we don't have dip sticks, how did you know you were down a quart plus? I use the electronic dash to check my level once in a while and it's always been on full.
Since we don't have dip sticks, how did you know you were down a quart plus? I use the electronic dash to check my level once in a while and it's always been on full.
06-01-2004, 08:09 PM
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If you are having sensor issues what's not to say that you are getting erroneous readings on the oil level too? Be careful as not to overfill...go to the dealer and have them use their dipstick before adding more oil.
06-01-2004, 08:10 PM
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Build date 2-04 E500
Originally posted by nyca
how do you manually check it without a dipstick?
how do you manually check it without a dipstick?
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06-01-2004, 08:16 PM
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Originally posted by RJC
If you are having sensor issues what's not to say that you are getting erroneous readings on the oil level too? Be careful as not to overfill...go to the dealer and have them use their dipstick before adding more oil.
If you are having sensor issues what's not to say that you are getting erroneous readings on the oil level too? Be careful as not to overfill...go to the dealer and have them use their dipstick before adding more oil.
06-01-2004, 08:57 PM
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I'm hoping that since there has been no warning (is there supposed to be @ -1.5 quarts?) then maybe there might be something wrong with the readings your getting. Also, do you drive excessively hard? If you have not added more oil/ still 1.5 low, you should be able to pull into the service drive and have a tech come out with a dipstick (they have these at the dealer or so I'm told they go into the filler tube located behind the engine) and check it very quickly for you. You might want to check for TSB's MB tech208 posted in the tech section and see if there is anything related. I do remember that there was an issue with oil level sensors giving an occassional false reading of too much oil with w209's. Best of luck and I hope its an electronic glitch.
06-01-2004, 09:42 PM
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
Good post, RJC.
My oil indicator was telling me that I was a quart high - went in and had a quart taken out.
One month later the display is telling me I'm a quart low.
Oh well...
It reminds me of the time I was getting gas. I was really looking stupid vainly searching for the dipstick.
My oil indicator was telling me that I was a quart high - went in and had a quart taken out.
One month later the display is telling me I'm a quart low.
Oh well...
It reminds me of the time I was getting gas. I was really looking stupid vainly searching for the dipstick.
06-01-2004, 10:29 PM
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Thanks Lig.
It's hard to beleive MB decided to eliminate the dipstick for the car's owners to check...such a simple fail-safe way to check one of, if not the most important fluid in a car instead they leave it up to electronic sensors and displays which are definitely susceptible to malfunction.
It's hard to beleive MB decided to eliminate the dipstick for the car's owners to check...such a simple fail-safe way to check one of, if not the most important fluid in a car instead they leave it up to electronic sensors and displays which are definitely susceptible to malfunction.
Last edited by RJC; 06-01-2004 at 10:32 PM.
06-01-2004, 11:07 PM
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2004 E500 AMG Sport and 2020 GLC300
So why can't we just BUY a dipstick and put it in the tube. This engine has been around for a while and it surely used one before. Does anyone have the part number?
06-02-2004, 02:35 PM
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E500
I have also found that if you leave the car idling for a long time, the check oil light comes on, then its ok next day.i have also had the warning light come on telling me i have to much oil in,took it to the dealer, and its fine now.
06-02-2004, 02:38 PM
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
If I had a dollar for every time the warning light came on...
13 months - SRS, brakes, Oil, Tele-Aid... each of them more than once (except for the oil)
I have a hypochondriac car!
13 months - SRS, brakes, Oil, Tele-Aid... each of them more than once (except for the oil)
I have a hypochondriac car!
06-02-2004, 03:38 PM
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2004 E500 / 2001 C240
There is a way to see the exact litres right down to 1 decimel place (8.11 lites for example) on the speedo display. I have the instructions in my car. Anyone else know to tell everyone..
It has to do with the reset button, etc...
It has to do with the reset button, etc...
06-10-2004, 11:28 AM
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Some MBs & Bimmers
Oil Level
Originally posted by lig
If you check the oil via the onboard setup - it'll tell you if you are a quart low (or high)
If you check the oil via the onboard setup - it'll tell you if you are a quart low (or high)
Can you please enlighten me on how one can check the oil level via onboard setup? After reading this thread, I was scrolling up and down on the nested manuals thru my steering wheel buttons, I must be missing something, do not see this option
Thanks in advance
06-10-2004, 04:06 PM
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'71 Pinto
Haven't checked myself and I don't have access to the manual but I did find this post:
Select the external temp in the centre of speedometer. With the ignition on and the engine off, step through the digital speedo. Check Engine Oil Level should be the next menu option thereafter.
Select the external temp in the centre of speedometer. With the ignition on and the engine off, step through the digital speedo. Check Engine Oil Level should be the next menu option thereafter.
06-10-2004, 04:18 PM
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this is how it reads.
turn key to position 2.
the standard display should appear in multifunction display, vehicle needs to be on level ground, and been stationary for at least five minutes.
press ^or down on the steering wheel until the following message is seen in the multifunction display.
engine oil level -measuring now.
measurement only correct if veh level.
one of the following messages will subsequently appear in the indicator.
engine oil level ok.
add 1.0 qt. to reach max oil level.
canada 1.0 liter.
add 1.5 qts to reach max oil level.
canada 1.5 ltrs.
then it goes to explain how to add or siphon the oil as it could cause damage to the engine or cat
turn key to position 2.
the standard display should appear in multifunction display, vehicle needs to be on level ground, and been stationary for at least five minutes.
press ^or down on the steering wheel until the following message is seen in the multifunction display.
engine oil level -measuring now.
measurement only correct if veh level.
one of the following messages will subsequently appear in the indicator.
engine oil level ok.
add 1.0 qt. to reach max oil level.
canada 1.0 liter.
add 1.5 qts to reach max oil level.
canada 1.5 ltrs.
then it goes to explain how to add or siphon the oil as it could cause damage to the engine or cat
06-10-2004, 04:31 PM
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'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Checking the oil level can be done only during a window of opportunity:
1. After the motor has been shut off for at least five minutes, but
2. Not when the motor has been shut off so long that the oil is no longer at "normal operating temperature", whatever that is. On my temp gauge, it's somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 up the gauge. YMMV.
So, no checking the oil first thing in the morning, unless (maybe) you live in Phoenix and it's summertime. You have to warm it up first - but if you do that, of course, you have to wait five minutes until you can actually run the check.
This is in addition to the other conditions of having the key in the right position, having the right display selected and being on level ground - not a problem in Sacramento, but somebody in San Francisco might have to drive to Oakland to check their oil.
Give me back the old-fashioned dipstick.
1. After the motor has been shut off for at least five minutes, but
2. Not when the motor has been shut off so long that the oil is no longer at "normal operating temperature", whatever that is. On my temp gauge, it's somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 up the gauge. YMMV.
So, no checking the oil first thing in the morning, unless (maybe) you live in Phoenix and it's summertime. You have to warm it up first - but if you do that, of course, you have to wait five minutes until you can actually run the check.
This is in addition to the other conditions of having the key in the right position, having the right display selected and being on level ground - not a problem in Sacramento, but somebody in San Francisco might have to drive to Oakland to check their oil.
Give me back the old-fashioned dipstick.
06-10-2004, 04:43 PM
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yep dipstick would be better,how much would have really cost to include a dipstick as well, talk about cheap,it would have been cheaper to leave out the digital display.
they should at least supply an after market dipstick to put in, i would trust that more than the digital display.
at some point that sensor is going to fail, does the on board computer tell you its not working correctly ??if not we could see engine damge later in life, and then were does the warranty stand, if there is any ?
they should at least supply an after market dipstick to put in, i would trust that more than the digital display.
at some point that sensor is going to fail, does the on board computer tell you its not working correctly ??if not we could see engine damge later in life, and then were does the warranty stand, if there is any ?
06-10-2004, 08:53 PM
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Originally posted by redlands40
this is how it reads.
turn key to position 2.
the standard display should appear in multifunction display, vehicle needs to be on level ground, and been stationary for at least five minutes.
press ^or down on the steering wheel until the following message is seen in the multifunction display.
engine oil level -measuring now.
measurement only correct if veh level.
one of the following messages will subsequently appear in the indicator.
engine oil level ok.
add 1.0 qt. to reach max oil level.
canada 1.0 liter.
add 1.5 qts to reach max oil level.
canada 1.5 ltrs.
then it goes to explain how to add or siphon the oil as it could cause damage to the engine or cat
this is how it reads.
turn key to position 2.
the standard display should appear in multifunction display, vehicle needs to be on level ground, and been stationary for at least five minutes.
press ^or down on the steering wheel until the following message is seen in the multifunction display.
engine oil level -measuring now.
measurement only correct if veh level.
one of the following messages will subsequently appear in the indicator.
engine oil level ok.
add 1.0 qt. to reach max oil level.
canada 1.0 liter.
add 1.5 qts to reach max oil level.
canada 1.5 ltrs.
then it goes to explain how to add or siphon the oil as it could cause damage to the engine or cat
Most of us who have had the E for any length of time are very aware of this function. I had thought you had found something new.
This is the only oil checking function that I am aware of. It is electronic and subject to a lot of error...or so it seems. I have had two W211's and have had false readings on both from time to time.
