Is there a method to check if an oil change on my 2021 GLE350 was actually done by the service shop? I would normally check the color of the oil via the dip stick, but there is none on my vehicle. Thank you

 

Other than draining and analyzing, I guess you can open the fill cap on top and see if there is fresh oil, assuming there is still some waiting to be dripped down.

 

Yeah, at some point, there has to be trust between the 2 parties. Otherwise you would have to stand over the mechanic and observe all his work yourself. My last oil change service A&B was at the dealership. I asked that they save my oil filter and give it back when they return the car to me, which they did. The oil on the old oil filter wasn’t honey brownish yellowish, like new oil was. So I was somewhat convinced the oil change had taken place, but they could have gotten that filter from somewhere else. I guess in my mind due to a conglomeration of factors, that I will trust, but I will back it up with verification. Like Ronaldus Maximus used to say.

 

That is a great way, not failsafe but better than nothing. I guess also ask for the engine oil for oil analysis if you are into Blackstone analysis.

 

Yeah, just me, but in my way of thinking, a report of an engine oil analysis, is even less reliable than other ways of confirming. It’s just a printed sheet of paper on a company letterhead. They can get the numbers to fill in the form from anywhere, including their imagination. You could somewhat confirm it with previous reliable reports, but even then it could all be fictional.

 

True.

 

The problem is, how do I get a sample of oil... There is no dipstick. When an oil change is done, is there a computer input that resets the mileage for the next oil change?

 

One benefit of top-mount oil filters is they can be unscrewed, inspected and put back in.

If it was just changed, the filter should still be a "golden" color. After ~5,000km or so, it becomes darker (like the oil)

 

Yes but technically you can reset without actually performing the service, the car doesn't have a way to verify if the oil was drained.

 

Oh ya true, OP can untwist the oil cap and see the oil filter, the M264 oil filter is on the top I think, although might want to consider changing the gasket if OP does do this as the gasket is pretty much one time use. Torque to the right spec.

 

Here: https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...ing-ready.html

You need a oil filter wrench tool or just a 27mm socket, the new gasket to replace and after you are done, torque it to 25nm.

 

You're wondering if engine oil was indeed replaced ?
Having good engine oil is a genuine concern for longevity.


What makes oil work efficiently?
All oils are not created equal. They age at a different rate. After 1500 to 2000Mi a w40 oil is only a w30. If you keep that for 10kMi it builds up sludge and causes drafty weak cylinder mixtures.

My point here is gonna be to get an effective lubricant not just new oil change. When oil ages to becomes amber, brown then black dump it ASAP... ~ 4500.Mi, not 10k minder!!


​​​​​​> You're better off making sure...

• the oil is new clean amber
• the oil is top grade (Amsoil signature)
• the oil is not low pressure at driving Rpm.

 

Oil isn't imortant so we'll just lose the dipstick. No doubt a quote from a bean counter at MB. Sheeze...
A couple weeks ago a co-worker told me he's selling a car and the service light was on, so he simply reset it. The end. So of course that happens and I"d be wary too. I check oil visually and rub a drop between my fingers. You can easily tell if it's fresh like that, assuming you know how good and warn feel. It's also one of the reasons I change the oil myself since you never know what they did or what oil/filter they used. If not the MB dealer it's likely the cheapest oil/filter they could find.

 

A couple of ways to check of the oil change was done without draining any.

1. Take off the oil cap and place some white towel over it (careful not to interfere with the timing chain) when running and soaked up some oil
2. Remove the oil filter and soak some up from the filter and housing.

 

get a camera and mount under hood pointing down and watch them on your phone?

 

Another reason I'm happy with my "old" cars. If there is no way for the owner/consumer to independently check if the oil has been changed, and you want to keep any warranty you might have, you are kinda forced to have all your work done by the Mercedes dealer. After that, you can only be sure the oil has been changed if you change the oil yourself or watch a shop change the oil. And that might be awkward. I think if I owned a shop and a customer wanted to watch while I or my mechanic did any work, I would likely not want their business because (1) they don't trust me, (2) probably violate liability insurance requirements, and (3) they are probably going to be a pain in the ***.