cpark02

Hello,

I've done some research and couldn't get a clear answer.
Since this car has no dipstick, it's absolutely impossible to do any oil extraction from the top side correct?

So even when we take it into the dealership for an oil change, they will also just drain from the drain plug underneath?

I'm not sure why they would make it harder for themselves like that as well.

Unless there's another tubing on top side that you can use to extract the oil...

Thank you!

TexAg91

Correct, engine oil is drained via the oil drainage plug on the bottom of the oil pan.

cpark02

Oh man okay. Thank you very much for the reply!

chassis

Dealers use bottom drain on vehicles with a dipstick and where WIS says to use top extraction. My dealer uses bottom drain on my W166 with dipstick and WIS says to top extract. Dealers do whatever they see to be in their own best interest.

GregW / Oregon

Cars are almost always on a lift when serviced at the dealer, so bottom draining is not more difficult, and is more reliable.

cpark02

Okay that makes sense then. Just also for curiosity sake, are there advantages to having the filter on the topside than on the bottom? I assumed they put it topside in the past because they just used extractor method and changed filter from the top. So its quick and they don't need to go underneath.

mikapen

I can think of a few reasons.
The filter drains when the oil drains. More complete draining, less mess - therefor easier to check for leaks. Easier to access than when on the side of the block. Fun to look at.

cpark02

All valid points.

Thank you!

FireRx Captain

I'd like to know the answer to this question too since I service my own mercedes. I'm in the market for one of the new ones nd it will be my fifth Benz.

GregW / Oregon

There is no way to extract from the top. Even my 8 year old M4 did away with the dipstick. If you have a floor jack, ramps and jackstands it makes the job more difficult, but also more reliable. Other than eliminating one more accessory on the engine, I would guess the fact that it encourages owners to go to a dealer is a reason.

Quick Silver

Can you extract/siphon oil from the same hole that you add oil? I just bought a CLS450 from out of state and recently got the "Reduce Oil Level" warning and according to the cockpit display, it's just barely above Max and there's no dipstick. Standing by to get trashed for asking.

chassis

No. But you can add oil by removing the black plastic cap with the yellow oil can icon.

Quick Silver

Thanks for the pithy answer but can you elaborate? If you can add oil by removing the plastic cap with oil can icon, why can't you suck oil out? Is there a screen or some other obstruction that would prevent a plastic hose from reaching the oil pan? Isn't it just a fill tube? Additional sarcasm welcomed.

chassis

Thanks!

You mean snaking a Mityvac suction tube into the engine via the oil fill cap? While I can't say with 100% certainty a tube can't be inserted all the way to the bottom of the sump, by way of the oil fill cap, it's a folly imo.

If you can get past the cams, you need to find an oil return path through the cylinder head casting, into the engine block and hope that it has clear line of sight to the bottom of the sump. It's a low percentage shot. A waste of time.

Change the oil the way Gottlieb intended, via bottom drain. It's so easy.

The most time consuming part of the job is removing the belly pan. Invest in a cordless ratchet and the time for this step is cut in half. If you have air suspension, raise the chassis to "Car wash" height and you gain 3.5 inches under the car which makes all the difference.

mikapen

Good idea. I hadn't thought of that.

Do you have to leave the door open, in order to keep the car from changing height with the ignition off?

howardx

I just drive up on Rhino ramps and put jack stands under the suspension for redundant safety. 8x 8mm screws under the belly pan is quick work with my Milwaukee stubby. Then 14mm drain bolt. Be careful though, the oil shoots to the driver side.

Quick Silver

Chassis, thanks for the detailed answer, it was very helpful and saved me from doing something stupid. I was just trying to find an easy way to drain about half a quart as it was overfilled at last oil change, which was performed out of state.