When's the proper time to check your oil? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

charmalu · #16 10-02-2007, 11:50 PM

The oil light and the low fuel light are two separate items. Low fuel, no problem there is a reserve of a couple gallons.

There is no reserve when it comes to the engine oil. when the oil light comes on

, you probably should have a reserve engine near by. with a little luck you might squeek by.

I would rather check the oil now and then for the wives, and not complain about it. I like to eat and sleep indoors

. It`s usually something a lot women don`t even think about.

I don`t sew, and she doesn`t pull engines.

Charlie

pmckechnie · #17 10-03-2007, 07:51 AM

I have noticed a few things on my 500SEL (i know, not a diesel). If I check the oil cold I get one reading. If I check at a fuel stop after running hard for a few hours, I get a higher reading. I assume it is because of the 8.5 quarts of oil expanding like the transmission oil does. So, any time I check the oil, if it is between the lower mark and the higher mark it is fine.
The other thing I have found is if you wipe off the stick and reinsert it and pull it back out quickly the reading is lower than if you reinsert, wait 10 seconds and pull and check again. Since the tube goes all the way down to the bottom of the pan, the o-ring at the top of the stick acts like a plunger, pushing the oil down in the tube and making the level lower in the tube.
I have never noticed this on my 300D mainly because I seldom run it long distances and also have the habit of waiting 10 seconds like on the other car.
So, just check it and think about the conditions at the time and every thing will be fine.

charmalu · #18 10-03-2007, 11:52 AM

I never thought about the O-ring acting as a plunger, you might have something there.
I use to notice the same thing on the other engine, but if I pulled out too quickly the reading on one side of the stick would be 1/4" or so higher than the other side. but if I would wait 10 sec. it would equalize.
The other thing, in the morning the reading sometimes would be real high, something like 2 - 3" high. wipe it off and read normal. only did this after the car sat over night.
These two problems started about 3 yrs ago.
The new engine (only 359 miles so far) reads normal in the morning.

Hope I didn`t drift too far off the main subject.

Charlie

gsxr · #19 10-03-2007, 03:08 PM

Here, read the official procedure from Mercedes:

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/oil_level_checking.pdf

Summary: Check with the engine at operating temp (80°C), on a level surface, and wait 2 minutes after you shut off the engine. When inserting the clean dipstick, wait at least 3 seconds before removing it. Finally, the optimum level is between MIN and MAX, not at the MAX mark.

Some cars have oil level sensors that trigger early - on my 1987 300D, I need to keep the level above the middle (closer to the MAX mark) in order to keep the dash idiot light off. A new sensor didn't cure it, and I've given up trying to figure out the cause. And yes, I have a new gauge pod where the 60-second light delay is functioning fine (doesn't trigger during sharp left turns).

jbach36 · #20 10-07-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I always check mine in the morning before I start the eng. unless it`s pouring down rain. when we are on a trip hammering down the road, I always check after potty stops, fuel, coffee etc. It`s also gives you an oppertunity to do a visual under the hood for other problems.
Just a good habit, maybe it`s just habit from work when I was an equipment operator.
I hammered this into my daughter when she was learning to drive. forget to check the oil? then car doesn`t go anywhere. But DAD!! you don`t understand!! too bad. now she is 34 and really on top of her maintenance
she is now more in tune with what BS the shops are trying to do to her.

Charlie

If checking your oil is THAT important, then why don't they put something on the dash so you see that it's at the proper level (other than an idiot light that tells you you're low)? That's just ridiculous to check the oil each time before you crank the car. That's a disease, a sickness. The only cure is more cowbell (Saturday Night Live sketch).

I check mine, like, never. I change it every 4-5,000 miles and never had a problem. I fill it up to the high mark on the dipstick now (since the light came on for the first time ever; I previously filled it anywhere between the low and high mark). If you run low, your light will come on at that time. It tells you that you're NOW a bit low on oil, not that your car is about to blow up.

jeff