I hate this digital dipstick
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 57
Likes: 21
From: Phoenix east valley
2018 MB S560, 2018 Ford F150
I hate this digital dipstick
First oil change on the new to me S560. Everything went fine until it came time to check crank case oil level. The book says capacity is 9.5 quarts so that is what I poured in. Started the engine to check oil level and got a message saying oil level system not available at this time or words to that affect.
Waiting to the next day to check oil level again only to find the level is pinned above the MAX mark. Now I have a problem needing to put the car back up on the lift drain out some oil and check the level again. This could develop into a major PIA.
What am I doing wrong? What did I miss?
Waiting to the next day to check oil level again only to find the level is pinned above the MAX mark. Now I have a problem needing to put the car back up on the lift drain out some oil and check the level again. This could develop into a major PIA.
What am I doing wrong? What did I miss?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,472
Likes: 5,357
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Measure the actual amount of oil you took out and don't put more than that in. There's always oil left in there. Then follow the steps in the owners manual for how to correctly check the engine oil level. As far as I remember, engine must be warm and running for the oil level to be reported correctly. Then top off as necessary. As long as the oil level is between min/max, you are good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 784
NGL450 w/EORP, S550
You’re not explicitly stating it, but I assume you drained out ALL the old oil prior to adding 9.5 quarts of new oil. If you didn’t measure what came out you can’t rule out that the oil sensor is measuring correctly.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 291
Likes: 48
From: Florida
2013 ML350, 2019 S560
If you need to drain just a small amount of oil out, I suggest just opening the center drain plug in the oil filter cartridge.
This may be enough to get you to normal. If not, remove the entire oil filter cartridge and replace. Much harder to control the volume of oil draining with removal of the main oil pan drain plug.
I typically find that it takes 9.0 quarts at most to fill my S560.
It will be easier next time!
This may be enough to get you to normal. If not, remove the entire oil filter cartridge and replace. Much harder to control the volume of oil draining with removal of the main oil pan drain plug.
I typically find that it takes 9.0 quarts at most to fill my S560.
It will be easier next time!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 799
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
I just changed the oil on my 18 S63. I don't measure the amount of oil I drain but I do hold back the last litre. Then I drive the car until I get a readout on the oil level, and add accordingly. Ironically, after adding in all 9 litres it still says I'm .3l short of full. I'll go by the parts store and grab a litre of oil today. But I learned from an old school mechanic a long time back to hold back on the last quart of oil on every oil change, then measuring. A lot easier to add a little than to remove extra oil.
