toban

I understand there is no dipstick to manually check the oil level? Manual online says the vehicle has to be driven for 30 minutes before a level can be determined?
Is this correct? The book says the vehicle needs to be on level ground and you access it through the screen on the car? How do you check the level of the oil if it doesn't work?

If the level is low, you have to drive it before you can get a reading before adding oil if needed?

HHUUMM!

Anybody know about the procedure here?

Appreciated.

Toban

paulmj1

Page 457 of the owner’s manual tells you how to do it.

toban

So, there's no manual way of checking the oil level?

I guess if the sensor quits or it just doesn't want to work you are out of luck?

Has anyone had any issues with the sensor or not being able to find out what the oil level is?

Wonder why they wouldn't leave a dipstick there just in case.

I saw this in the manual online but was just wondering.

Toban

GregW / Oregon

This is the norm these days - even my 6 1/2 year old '15 M4 did away with the dipstick. Not necessarily and improvement, but they have their reasons. I have not experienced measurable oil usage between services.

toban

Thank you for your replies and help with my question.

Toban

Lanzz

Sensor also warns of overfill, which is nice. Assuming sensor has reasonable lifespan and reliability, feels like an extra set of eyes...

MercOne1

Our sensor has been warning of overfill for 3 weeks. Dealer did OBD scan and said no issue. I’m going back to them to make sure they empty and refill oil.

chassis

Automakers will shave a tenth of a penny per vehicle to reduce cost. Dipsticks cost the carmakers several pennies. Dipsticks got the axe.

Lanzz

Yes, MercOne, mine was overfilled after the Service A - they drained and refilled.

BACnMercedes

Nah, just another way to possibly get reoccurring costs and therefore you “might” bring it to a dealership and they “might” get to charge you something?

djer

Yeah we got our first no-dipstick experience back in 2007 on the first E70 X5, it was weird to not be able to pop the hood and check/see/smell the oil. I guess the car was never meant to be DIY'ed lol.

robert c

yes I have had numerous alerts as to over oil or under. Dealer has even changed oil and still gets alerts either over or under not consistent
Robert

RDT-G23

I know that this is an older post. I would just clarify that this is the "norm" with German vehicles today. BMW started this before MB. Our 2021 Cadillac Escalade, my 2020 3/4 ton Super Duty (of course not-we rednecks would stage a mutiny), nor any American vehicle I've seen has this. There are numerous reasons for them doing this. Without being perjorative-(which I kind of am-by default)- most in the demographic that buy these cars are probably happy about this-as they don't know "come here from sick-um" about checking oil as we have since dirt. My largest complaint is that they don't have redundant methods (a dipstick and automated sensor). One version would be good for people like me, the other for the masses that buy these vehicles who live in apartments, high rises, etc. (I think I may have been generalizing again).

TexAg91

My guess is now a days it’s cheaper to add a sensor than it is to manufacturer a dipstick and tube. I’m thinking the accountants won out over the engineers.

RDT-G23

i won’t endeavor to necessarily disagree…but will ask this…. So the Germans are building cheaper cars than we are? The Japanese? I’m not with it. I think it is more about demographics and a desire to prevent people working on them/DIY. All service at the dealer…

TexAg91

I think we're probably both right! They're cutting costs wherever they can, and they're pushing costumers to use the dealer for routine service.

mikapen

I'm guessing that it's an emissions related issue. It would be pretty hard to contain crankcase pressure with a pull out dipstick, I would think.

Plus, under hood aerodynamics are increasingly important.
​​​​​​
Hard to say.

RDT-G23

So by default - what you are saying is that the Germans are building cheaper made cars than Americans? I'm not sure about this. The same contingent happy about the "no dip stick MBs" are the same folks (actually not - different demographic of owners - again) on my Nautique Forum who don't think that winterizing their boat is necessary...

RDT-G23

By deductive logic, this would imply that American vehicles can't maintain proper crankcase pressure for emissions with the dipsticks used for oil level measurement?

TexAg91

Nope, I’m guessing Mercedes left the dip stick off to save a few dollars on the BOM cost. The cost to build the truck only includes an oil sensor, not an oil sensor and a dip stick...plus it helps persuade owners to use the dealership service dept for oil changes. I'm not saying it's low quality, just a way to keep costs down. My preference would be a dip stick to verify the sensor is working correctly.

mikapen

Well, that's an illogical response!
You need to understand how emissions are measured, to know that dipsticks' days are numbered.
All engines generate crankcase pressure. Anything that escapes adds to the emissions of that vehicle.
It has nothing to do with where the cars are made.

RDT-G23

I am a VP for the largest environmental company in the US - (I have worked for them for 32 years). I am acutely aware of how and where emissions are measured. This isn't why the dipticks have been eliminated by the Germans. Worrying about a dipstick's contribution to emissions from an internal combustion engine is akin to "worrying about the fire ants while the elephants stomp down the barn". The Germans eliminated dipsticks for the reasons mentioned via the posts above, period.

djer

While maintaining our other fleets of german fine automobiles, we found out that Audi actually allows you to have a dipstick AND oil level sensor: Do we have this option at all for MB's, anyone know? I haven't.

RDT-G23

But then the emissions rating for the vehicle would be compromised...

mikapen

I haven't worked at AECOM, but I have worked with EPA onsite in the Ann Arbor test facility, on both mobile and fixed source emissions testing, and methods. And with Region 8 on other Air and Water Quality issues.

I am VERY familiar with e-testing. Dipsticks and other crankcase leaks are measured during the testing procedure. BTW this includes transmission and differential vents, not just dipsticks. I'm sure you have heard of Charcoal Canisters, which have been around for decades - an early version of containing non-combustion emissions sources. That emphasis hasn't gone away.

Your analogy about the Fire Ants is appropriate. Fire Ants can take down an elephant, and the EPA counts those ants.
A manufacturer that doesn't pay attention to all emissions sources, especially in this day of "eliminate ICE's," probably is on the way out.

Mercedes has put a lot of money into designing their oil change procedures, dipstick replacement, and related consumables - Germany is much stricter than the US on their Tier XX requirements. It's certainly NOT a cost-saving measure.

edit to add: And my earlier comment about underhood aerodynamics applies here, too. Making an access to the dipstick, and the structure itself, is a consideration. As engines get more compact, that airflow becomes more important.