95E320cab:

Where are you getting the quart and a half figure from?

When I use the pump, I get 6.4 quarts out. Some oil is in the filter. I put in 6.5 quarts and it's still below the full mark, although not by much.

Regards,

I think the capacity is 8.5 quarts. The recommended add after a drain and filter is 7.0 quarts. A-B=1.5.

I didn't mean to be taken literally or seriously.

When you suck out the oil (I use an electric motor type because I use it on my boat motors and it's FAST!) park the car on a slight slope with the front of the car on the DOWN side. You will get more of the oil out than if the car is level! (I've tried both ways.) I figure that I get almost of the old oil out because when I refill with 8.5 quarts (per the book), the oil level is just Under the full mark when the car is back level. Also, since I changed to Rotella-T, the oil looks clean for the first 30 or so miles. I change the oil every 6 weeks (3000 mi.), so I wouldn't want to fight with the sound shields every time. ALSO, on another thread, someone unscrewed the drain plug After sucking out the oil and said that he didn't get a drop of oil out through the plug. And, yes, it's good to check under the car now and then.

__________________
Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

mbtjc,

WELL PUT!!!!!!!! Almost everyone already owns a wrench that will fit the drain plug, even if only an adjustable wrench.

ricali,

The new cars have the dipstick tube, just no dipstick. There is a push on cap. A dipstick is available for service purposes but is VERY expensive.

I have been surprised at how I have been able to accept the no dipstick system. I can sit in the drivers seat and check the oil level with no rag or without lifting the hood. Since the engine uses no oil it works great for me.

There is still a drain plug, so changing the oil is no problem for me since I'm too poor to buy a "topsider."

Have a great day,

Larry

I don't mean to be a wise-acre but when you use the new-fangled method of checking the oil by remote sensors you don't get a chance to inspect the topside of your engine to check for potential troubles!!!

Just kidding.

Tim

BMW has a feature that I wish my 300E had. You can get to the drain plug w/o removing the panel. I think they have a little trap door down there.

I really don't mean to be a grouch or anything, I respect everyone's views, but I gotta add something:

Everyone seems to be obsessed with exactly how much oil is left after pumping vs. draining. I think it borders on having OCD or something if we are really that concerned over a matter of a couple of ounces. When I change my oil, the color of my oil remains "new" for a long time. If there was enough old oil still in the system to make a difference, I'm sure my new oil would be a lot darker right off the bat.

Also, my manual calls for 8 qts on a refill and 8.5 on initial fill, so that leaves .5 qts. Granted you change it hot, all of that .5 qt is not just in the pan, it is also on the top end of the motor, since it has not yet had time to trickle back down to the pan.

Point is: The amount of old oil left over is negligible. If you insist that pumping your oil is better or if it makes you feel better, fine, please do....but let's not get obsessive or neurotic about this.

__________________
'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."