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[Andy B]

Years ago I never particularly bothered if the oil was hot, worm or cold when I checked it ... just made sure the engine had been stopped a little while before dipping it. So why do I now get told that my Merc & Smart needs their oil levels checking when hot? My Merc has been telling me at various time to check the oil level when I next fuel and the level can be anything from the bottom of the dip stick to the top & various in between. Does warm/hot oil these days really expand by such a notable amount? 

[aaronjb]

Surely it depends whether the manufacturer marked the dipstick expecting half the oil* to still be sitting in the various galleys & oilways and pools in the heads etc, or whether they marked the dipstick expecting it to have all run back down into the sump..

Time taken to run back will depend on viscosity and therefore temperature, I imagine..

(*may be a slight exaggeration)

[Marks DTM Calib]

At operating temperature and after its been stopped for circa 5 minutes is the general approach

[Andy B]

At operating temperature and after its been stopped for circa 5 minutes is the general approach

Thanks  . I've tended to look when cold, but this Merc is forever telling me to check the level, & the level switch is a bitch to get at 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

At operating temperature and after its been stopped for circa 5 minutes is the general approach

Thanks  . I've tended to look when cold, but this Merc is forever telling me to check the level, & the level switch is a bitch to get at 

Ah yes. No dipstick.

[Nick W]

At operating temperature and after its been stopped for circa 5 minutes is the general approach

Thanks  . I've tended to look when cold, but this Merc is forever telling me to check the level, & the level switch is a bitch to get at 

Ah yes. No dipstick.

No, that was the designer/engineer/accountant/idiot that decided replacing such a simple device with an electronic one was a good idea.

[Andy B]

.....

Ah yes. No dipstick.

Mine does have one  but as you suggest, other Mercs just rely on level sensors  though you can temporarily fit one

[Nick W]

.....

Ah yes. No dipstick.

Mine does have one  but as you suggest, other Mercs just rely on level sensors  though you can temporarily fit one

And that's even worse, as you can't even argue that deleting the dipstick tube does away with space/access or potential leak problems. It is just a solution in search of a problem.

[minifreek]

Iv always been told to check oil when warm as it goes thinner....

[Webby the Bear]

When doing a service and brakes on a '13 plate Audi a couple of weeks back I found there was no dipstick.... there was a dipstick tube but it was covered with a blanking plug....you can buy a dipstick from Audi.... LOL

Anyways, before the onboard computer would give me a reading the car had to be up to temperature. Pain in the f.....g a*se!!!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

.....

Ah yes. No dipstick.

Mine does have one  but as you suggest, other Mercs just rely on level sensors  though you can temporarily fit one

I could never get the same reading twice on my Merc.    It is a piss poor system.

The dipstick hole was blanked off.....although I believe an owner could 'purchase' a dipstick if necessary.