Hmmm, I guess I should read all my manuals. I just learned today that the oil level can be read using the key and the odometer! And it works. I knew I was about a quart down, and sure as chit, turn the key to pos 2, wait for the lines to mappear, push the reset button quickly twice and the display tells me I'm down a quart!

So that's a documented trick. Are there any undocumented tricks?

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

All,

Sort of undocumented is the fact that you should never fill the engine oil to the full mark on the stick, and only add when it says add, and only add 1 quart. Filling to full seems to create a frothing problem that consumes the extra 1/2 quart or so, until the the level stabilizes and oil consumption tapers off. I believe there is a service bulletin to that effect, but I have never read it.

Also, in your manual, it says the ATF fluid is a lifetime fill. A recent bulletin has us changing the ATF at 39,000 miles.

Jim in Phoenix