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#1
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When's the proper time to check your oil?
Correct me if I'm wrong...
You're supposed to check your oil when your car has been turned off and parked for a while, on a flat surface. Letting it sit for a 1/2 hour or so allows the oil to drain out of the engine and into the oil pan so you get a correct oil reading, right? The reason I'm asking is, I was driving around last week, haven't really checked my oil since the last oil change 4,000 miles ago, and I got the red idiot light that came on, on the dash, saying the engine was low on oil. Thanks, Jeff 1991 300d, 111k |
#2
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You are quite right, though I think ten minutes is usually enough of a wait.
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#3
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Usually 10-15 minutes is enough time to get hot oil drained back down into the pan/sump. Personally I would check oil at least once a week......even new cars will use a quart of oil between oil change intervals......we are talking about aging MBs that are 10-20 years old here.
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FRED Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K 87 300SDL, 251K 94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K |
#4
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Yep, depending on how far I drive in a week I check it every 1-2 weeks....mine uses about 1.5qts per 5000 miles.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#5
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In a perfect world, every day before you start the engine.
Since it's not a perfect world, I usually check mine every two weeks when I get fuel. |
#6
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Quote:
Oil level should be checked with the engine at operating temp on flat ground, and after shutting it off for a few minutes. It's in the owner's manual.
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#7
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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
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616... 1) Not much power 2) Even less power 3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast. 80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works |
#8
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I gotta enforce this policy at my house! wifey has killed 2 cars by not checking the oil... arrrgh! of course, this will mean I gotta go out and check the stuff each day myself..... but the little girl can start out right!
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#9
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Quote:
Note to self...
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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles |
#10
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Not trying to hijack the thread--this is somewhat related. Is it true that sometimes there are "bubbles" that can cause a false reading. It seems to happen to me. I always check four or five times a week at operating temp to make sure the oil cooler is full and is doing its thing, and certainly with car at level. But lately, I have been getting inconsistent readings on the dipstick. Not by much--maybe 3 or 4 mm on the stick, but it's aggrevating because I'd really like to know how much oil if any I'm using between oil changes. BTW, how low do you have to go before the light on the dash comes on?
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1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in. |
#11
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I keep a rag in the engine compartment just to wipe off the oil on the dipstick, dip it again and measure from there. That way you can get a clean slate to start with rather than just base it on the current measurement which will probably be off.
I used to check my oil in the morning then I found out that if the oil in a cold engine was at the max line, then it will probably be a half a centimeter low (or less) when I check the oil again when it's warmed up. So if you check it in the morning, make sure it's just a few millimeters higher than the max reading when it's cold (maybe up to half a centimeter) then from there you'll get a warm reading of just at max or slightly below.
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#12
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Quote:
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#13
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This is exactly what my manual says. It reads a bit high after sitting overnight, but the manual doesn't say to check it then.
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#14
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NOT GOING THERE
MUST RESIST NOOO DON"T DO IT
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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD 82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride 82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown 83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too 84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD 85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project |
#15
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3:30 AM is the proper time to check your oil. But, that means that only Carramow has proper oil readings.
I apologize in advance for the stupidity of this post. |
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