Took the car to a "5-min" oil change place this morning providing my own oil (Mobil 1 0W-40) and Mann filter. They drained from the bottom and put in 9 quarts. After wards I checked the dipstick (they couldn't find it...), and the oil level is at the very top of the orange scale (past the "bulb" portion, almost on the wire). I think this is too high so I took it back but they guys said it was fine. Thinking about going back and having them drain a quart until the level is in the recommended range. Just wanted to hear opinions about too much oil and the potential problems associated with that. Thanks.

 

If I remember correctly the r230 doesn't have an oil dipstick. Only one for transmission. The oil level is checked electronically on the dashboard, car on an even pavement, key turned to on position, engine off. Google how to, pretty easy.

Regards.

 

No it has the dip stick, I can take a picture if you like.

 

Please state exactly what year and model you have, but I know of no '03 or newer sl 500 with a dipstick. All measure electrically using dash display. Some models have 2 drain plugs depending on exact model sl you have..

 

2007 SL550

 

Yup, as I said - the only dipstick under the hood is a transmission dipstick. And it's really long, because it has to reach the bottom of the pan.

Post a picture and we'll confirm.

 

My SL600 has 2 dipstick ports, one in the back of the engine, which is the transmission, then there's one near the front of the engine, towards the radiator area. Both are just capped off.

 

Here the requested pictures:
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The location is in the back of the engine, passenger side. Thanks.

 

 

I just learned something new today apparently 550 series do have a dipstick!

if so, back to your question - not sure about actual problems at the beginning. The engine might burn some oil himself, but if it's that much over and you want to be safe - drain some. There should be an exact measure of oil that the engine needs. You can ask them how much they put in. And I'll probably never go again to that place the dealer charges me $150 for a foul change and I'm fine with that

 

The M272 and M273 engines have dipsticks. The SL550 uses the M273 engine.

To answer the OP's question, that is too much oil. You need to drain at least half a quart. I generally fill with 8.5 quarts even though the capacity is listed at 9.

 

Thanks guys, I'll ask them to drain some of the oil.

 

That's why it's better to DIY or bring the car to a real shop...
Just sayin'...

 

Yeah I know but then again, I'm already providing my own oil and filter, and the process is so simple "a caveman could do it", but I have learned over the years that you cannot rely even on the so called experts, so if there is an easy check like in this I like to do it. Their computer says 9 quarts and that jives with what I have been able to gather online, but of course it does not account for the residual amount of oil left in the engine before they fill it back up. Lesson learned, next time I will ask for 8 quarts and then have them verify on the dip stick.

 

That's why there is the dipstick. The book is more of a guide, but you have to check before topping it off. When I do the oil change on a car I top it up, start/stop the engine, and check again. After that I add only as needed to fill to the middle of dipstick. I don't go of the book, even if it means adding ounces at once. It's a pretty unpleasant process of draining the extra oil if you don't have a vacuum machine.

Regards

 

You should see how some exotic marques check the oil level during a change. There are YouTube videos showing the run - stop - run - stop, etc. process. No wonder the shops charge several hundred dollars for that job!

 

Sort of like checking the transmission fluid level on the 7-speed transmission. I've gotten used to that, but I still find it very hard to get the fluid to exactly 113F. It's hard to get it there without going way over.