SL/R231: Lack of gauges
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,556
Likes: 3,680
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I didn’t say that the SL doesn’t have a dipstick. Just saying that quite few engines don’t because they use other means to measure oil. Point is that an oil pressure garage is more rare for that reason.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 90
Likes: 22
From: SE Florida
2025 GLC 300, (formerly) 2018 SL550
Thank you. I've been in that section several times, but never thought to select engine data. Is there any way to change the readout to F vs C, or will I need to extrapolate? What is acceptable engine oil temp before driving hard? Also, is there a way to change Sat radio channels while this screen is up, besides displaying it on the screen between the tach and speedo? I completely rely on the digital speedo.
Last edited by Goodwood; Apr 18, 2023 at 08:43 PM.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,556
Likes: 3,680
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Thank you. I've been in that section several times, but never thought to select engine data. Is there any way to change the readout to F vs C, or will I need to extrapolate? What is acceptable engine oil temp before driving hard? Also, is there and way to change Sat radio channels while this screen is up, besides displaying it on the screen between the tach and speedo? I completely rely on the digital speedo.
Re. the engine oil temp, the screenshot was from our car, so 100-110 degree Celsius is normal (215-230 degrees Fahrenheit)...
Since you don't want to give up the display in the instrument cluster for speed, you might want to select engine data screen as a Comand favorite (the star button left to the knob - center console) as well as the Sat radio station screen. This was you can quickly switch screens without using the menu hierarchy.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 742
Likes: 175
From: NorCal
2015 ML350+2025 E350
I fitted my first car with an oil pressure gauge, water temperature and ammeter - not sure what oil pressure told me but it looked cool.
I was taught to start the car and drive off (once visibility was acceptable) carefully (low revs) until the car was properly warmed up.
I was taught to start the car and drive off (once visibility was acceptable) carefully (low revs) until the car was properly warmed up.
Where we live we are no stranger to sub zero temps (Fahrenheit, not Celsius) and I wouldn't bother waiting for the engine to warm up even then. Modern engines are designed for cold starts and start/stops, so the only time we use remote start is for us to be warm, not the engine 
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 90
Likes: 22
From: SE Florida
2025 GLC 300, (formerly) 2018 SL550
Thank you. Something else to figure out! Not at all familiar with Command favorites... yet. I did take note of the blue, white, then red colors on the oil temp dial, so that will be helpful as well. I'll do some C-F conversions so I know what the oil temp is doing. Would be nice to be able to quickly switch from engine dials to radio/media and vise versa. Thanks for the help. If I can't figure it out, I'll be back. Remember, this is my first Mercedes!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,154
Likes: 4,381
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I live in a very temperate climate and I doubt that I ever start my SL when the temperature is less than 60 degrees F. But still, every time I fire her up, I wait for the rpm’s to settle down to an idle, before engaging the transmission. I figure, this gives the fluids a few seconds to circulate & get the juices flowing. I’m old, I’m retired, I’m never in a hurry.
