Correct Oil Level
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Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 98
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2003 S430
Correct Oil Level
Dipstick on my W222 shows various levels of oil depending on time that the car has been sitting. Low level before starting, better level after a few minutes, and nearly full level after running for a few minutes. Thinking that this drastic change is due to something more than heating of the oil.
Anyone experiencing this ph
Anyone experiencing this ph
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 296
Likes: 91
S550 V8, CL600 V12, SLK32 AMG
Yes. Check oil level 5 min after driving and at operating temp. Its just that engine with all the oil passages.
From my manual
When checking the oil level:
- park the vehicle on a level surface. the engine should be switched off for approximately five minutes if the engine is at normal operating temperature.
- if the engine is not at normal operating temperature, e.g. if the engine was only started briefly, wait about 30 minutes before carrying out the measurement
From my manual
When checking the oil level:
- park the vehicle on a level surface. the engine should be switched off for approximately five minutes if the engine is at normal operating temperature.
- if the engine is not at normal operating temperature, e.g. if the engine was only started briefly, wait about 30 minutes before carrying out the measurement
Last edited by waterzap99; Aug 29, 2023 at 12:02 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 431
S600
Oil expands as it get hot.
Oil runs out of the block and heads to the sump when the engine is not running.
So,
a) when you start a cold engine, almost all of the oil is in the sump and the dipstick should read high.
b) after a few seconds, the point pump has filled the block and heads with the amount of oil that should be there.
c) but as the oil is still cool and thick it takes longer to sun back into the sump
d) after oil reaches ~200ºF it is thin enough so the whole engine works like a recirculating environment.
....oil does not pool, but flows through the engine constantly.
A quick Google search found BobIsTheOilGuy entry stating:: that a engine with 4 quarts right on the lower dip stick line will rise to 4.2 quarts when hot (neither lower nor higher temperature provided). This seems about right to me. 5%-ish from 69ºF to 200ºF.
Oil runs out of the block and heads to the sump when the engine is not running.
So,
a) when you start a cold engine, almost all of the oil is in the sump and the dipstick should read high.
b) after a few seconds, the point pump has filled the block and heads with the amount of oil that should be there.
c) but as the oil is still cool and thick it takes longer to sun back into the sump
d) after oil reaches ~200ºF it is thin enough so the whole engine works like a recirculating environment.
....oil does not pool, but flows through the engine constantly.
A quick Google search found BobIsTheOilGuy entry stating:: that a engine with 4 quarts right on the lower dip stick line will rise to 4.2 quarts when hot (neither lower nor higher temperature provided). This seems about right to me. 5%-ish from 69ºF to 200ºF.
