oil check: Computer or stick?

[slowdriver2]

2000 ML320 - Is it better to use the dashboard button to check oil level or use the oil stick under the hood? My dashboard shows half a vetical line then .0 - I take that as 0 quarts low. But I wonder if the display is faulty and it really reads 1.0 which means 1 quart down. The stick shows about 1 quart down.

[azinn]

I would trust the stick over the computer

[teddavies]

always go with the stick- let's say the oil is barely above the 1 gallon low mark. if you trust the stick, then you might wait for your next check and it might run too low.

[Gilly]

One advantage to using the cluster is you have to wait a really long time before the function will work. Either one is fine, but when using the stick you should wait a similar amount of time before checking, at least 15 minutes wait after shutting it off. Drains an awfully long time into the pan.

Gilly

[PaulH]

I use the cluster and occasionally check the stick. Better get use to it, cause there will be no stick in the future!

[Gilly]

In the future ? The 203 chassis doesn't come with a stick, that's been out several years.......

Gilly