benwu350

I have a 2009 ML350 approaching 110k miles. The owners manual call for 8.5 Quarts of oil. Should I put exactly 8.5 quarts of oil as the owners manual say or should I put a little bit less because there is still oil remaining on the drain pan. I believe I can not get all the oil out of the drain pan, hence I should put a little less than 8.5 quarts.

Also, I have seen many people start their engines before checking their oil level. Wouldn't it be more logical to check the oil dipstick before starting the engine.

I have changed my oil a few times before, but I would like to do it the correct way this time.

Maj. Dundee

Remove the oil filler cap and then remove the oil pan drain bolt and while it is draining, remove and replace the oil filter.

Put in 8 qts. Start the eng. and let it run for 1 min. and turn off eng.

Wait 30 mins. and then check the oil level through the Instrument Cluster menu.

flybd5

Wait, what? I've never seen that option on the cluster of my 550, same year. Where is that?

mosysav

MLs with m272 or m273 engines don't have oil level checking in cluster menu.

flybd5

Oh. Darn. Thanks.

lkchris

No, there's no logic at all in checking oil level before starting the engine.

The new filter will soak up a significant amount of oil, and the dipstick is calibrated for that.

Rauhbatz

I bought one of those Mityvac extraction devices....love it! But yes i do check the dipstick after a change as well.

BTW I went to change my filter and was confronted w an odd sight. Look for a new post on that