First pull of the dip stick was bone dry
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 20
From: Central Pennsylvania
2012 S350 Bluetec 4Matic, Diamond White, P2
+1 on all the "smarty pants" answers. If one does not understand checking the oil, and how a dipstick could be dry on the first pull, then one should not be opening the hood. LOL.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
2013 e 350 Luxury 4matic sedan
dry dip stick first pull
To test Steve from Mn explanation which is correct don't pull the stick out, just up a couple of inches so the O ring is exposed a little above the top of tube, then as the air exits the tube the oil enters the bottom of the tube and comes in to the crankcase level. Push the stick back in that inch or two and then pull it out for the accurate reading.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: The Garden State
2019 Land Rover Discovery 2018 BMW 540ix 2013 Land Rover LR4 2007 Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet
Oil can be low for many reasons - dipstick isn't seated all the way, the oil IS actually low, etc. However, assuming proper levels, a dipstick may be low or even dry on first draw - that's ok. It's due to physics and the wonderful world of air pressure and fluid dynamics........ 
Here's how it works, when the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
You can check this out w/a pan of water and a straw.
Here's how it works, when the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. Some air gets trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back into the pan and fills. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
You can check this out w/a pan of water and a straw.
Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: The Garden State
2019 Land Rover Discovery 2018 BMW 540ix 2013 Land Rover LR4 2007 Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet
A dipstick may be low or even dry on first draw - that's ok. It's due to physics and the wonderful world of air pressure and fluid dynamics........
Here's how it works, when the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. A little bit of air is trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back down to the pan. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
You can check this out w/a pan of water and a straw.
Here's how it works, when the engine is running the oil level in the pan is lower than when the engine is off. A little bit of air is trapped in the dip stick tube. When you shut the engine down, all the oil drains back down to the pan. However, that tiny bit of air in the tube keeps the oil from rising up the tube. So, when you pull the dipstick the first time it may be dry or low. The second time, the air is cleared, the oil rises up the tube and you get a reading on the second dip.
You can check this out w/a pan of water and a straw.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 748
Likes: 27
From: Zion
W212 E550 4M P2
Bumping my own thread? So uncalled for, but...
...yes, our car appears to have a digital warning for when the oil level drops below a minimum threshold. I found it on pg of 248 of the 2012 W212 Owner's Manual, but there not much more written about it than this.
...yes, our car appears to have a digital warning for when the oil level drops below a minimum threshold. I found it on pg of 248 of the 2012 W212 Owner's Manual, but there not much more written about it than this.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
Every E Class have had from the 3L SOHC I6, the 3.2L DOHC 6, 3.2L V6 M112 in both the SLK and the 2003 W211 and the current 272 engines all had dip sticks with Hi-Lo sensors which would turn on a warning should the oil volume drop to a critical level.
These devices are not infallible. It is also note on page 248 of the 2011 E350 manual
In the this manual it says - on page 309 - that the engine will consume up to as much as 0.9 US. qts (0.8L) per 600 mile or 1000 km depending on driving style. I am not one to baby the car and my annual mileage is about 14000 km. I have never had to add oil between service intervals that seem to come around once a year but based on the manual I should be adding about one Liter a month. I rarely check it.
It goes on to say that the car, if at normal operating temperature, should be parked on a level surface for 5 minutes (30 minutes if you just do a quick start and shut off) then remove the dip stick entirely, wipe it clean and slowly reinsert it to the stop and slowly remove it to check to see if the oil level is between the max and min marks.
It looks like they anticipated the air lock issue in the procedure recommended.
These devices are not infallible. It is also note on page 248 of the 2011 E350 manual
In the this manual it says - on page 309 - that the engine will consume up to as much as 0.9 US. qts (0.8L) per 600 mile or 1000 km depending on driving style. I am not one to baby the car and my annual mileage is about 14000 km. I have never had to add oil between service intervals that seem to come around once a year but based on the manual I should be adding about one Liter a month. I rarely check it.
It goes on to say that the car, if at normal operating temperature, should be parked on a level surface for 5 minutes (30 minutes if you just do a quick start and shut off) then remove the dip stick entirely, wipe it clean and slowly reinsert it to the stop and slowly remove it to check to see if the oil level is between the max and min marks.
It looks like they anticipated the air lock issue in the procedure recommended.
Last edited by Alex.currie44; Feb 18, 2015 at 12:50 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
e550
This is the first car I have ever owned that vapor locked the dipstick. It is really sealed at the top. Does anyone know if the min -max range is one quart. Looks like I am at the mid point after the first 2800 miles but maybe it is not topped up from the factory to allow room for expansion.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 66
From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
I don't know as I haven't had the experience. I would suggest just add a half quart and see where it goes.
MB has always had tight fitting dip sticks. The transmissions in some of my cars actually had a latch on the dip stick.
I wonder if it has something to do with crankcase venting in their engines.
MB has always had tight fitting dip sticks. The transmissions in some of my cars actually had a latch on the dip stick.
I wonder if it has something to do with crankcase venting in their engines.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 53
Likes: 8
From: Toledo, Ohio
2010 E350 4Matic
Almost all the newer cars might lose (or seem to lose) oil somewhere? Actually the oil seals on the valves are very new and solid, till they wear in alittle and get soft, the oil slowly seeps by and gets burned on combustion! So little especially at higher speed and RPM's You don't notice it! Most cars stop losing oil after 10,000 - 15,000 miles after break-in period. If I was still losing oil after that, it would concern me. My last 3 new cars did the same thing as mention here!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG
Oil level
Same situation here, I was getting bone dry dipstick on first attempt and than actually drained the oil and measured it and guess what? I had only 5.5 quarts of oil.
A little back ground: I always change my oil myself, so when the car had about 3500mile on it I sucked the oil out and I was getting only about 5 quarts or less out, so I put back about the same amount checked level and it was fine. I thought the E350 was not meant to have oil suctioned from dipstick and forgot about it. Few thousand miles later just tried to check the oil and got a dry dipstick on first attempt and proper level on second attempt. So I drained the oil completely and got the above results. Now after putting about 7.5 quarts in, the dipstick is not dry on first attempt. So for all of those, that get dry stick, try to drain and measure it to make sure that you have enough oil. I certainly didn't.
A little back ground: I always change my oil myself, so when the car had about 3500mile on it I sucked the oil out and I was getting only about 5 quarts or less out, so I put back about the same amount checked level and it was fine. I thought the E350 was not meant to have oil suctioned from dipstick and forgot about it. Few thousand miles later just tried to check the oil and got a dry dipstick on first attempt and proper level on second attempt. So I drained the oil completely and got the above results. Now after putting about 7.5 quarts in, the dipstick is not dry on first attempt. So for all of those, that get dry stick, try to drain and measure it to make sure that you have enough oil. I certainly didn't.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Same situation here, I was getting bone dry dipstick on first attempt and than actually drained the oil and measured it and guess what? I had only 5.5 quarts of oil.
A little back ground: I always change my oil myself, so when the car had about 3500mile on it I sucked the oil out and I was getting only about 5 quarts or less out, so I put back about the same amount checked level and it was fine. I thought the E350 was not meant to have oil suctioned from dipstick and forgot about it. Few thousand miles later just tried to check the oil and got a dry dipstick on first attempt and proper level on second attempt. So I drained the oil completely and got the above results. Now after putting about 7.5 quarts in, the dipstick is not dry on first attempt. So for all of those, that get dry stick, try to drain and measure it to make sure that you have enough oil. I certainly didn't.
A little back ground: I always change my oil myself, so when the car had about 3500mile on it I sucked the oil out and I was getting only about 5 quarts or less out, so I put back about the same amount checked level and it was fine. I thought the E350 was not meant to have oil suctioned from dipstick and forgot about it. Few thousand miles later just tried to check the oil and got a dry dipstick on first attempt and proper level on second attempt. So I drained the oil completely and got the above results. Now after putting about 7.5 quarts in, the dipstick is not dry on first attempt. So for all of those, that get dry stick, try to drain and measure it to make sure that you have enough oil. I certainly didn't.
E350 should take 8 quarts of oil.
