Length of Oil into Pan, Checking Oil Options

[JoKeRkId613]

I usually check my oil once a week. I want to make sure I'm doing this right. I check my oil after a normal drive, turn off the car, and wait 15 minutes before I check the oil. I do this because I was told I should wait till all the oil goes back into the oil pan. Is this a good amount of time to wait? I ask because TRD recommends I check my oil at every gas fillup and the "checking process" happens right after I turn off the car, meaning the oil hasn't had any time to go into the pan - I hope TRD doesn't expect me to hang around a gas station for 15 minutes to check my oil. So this is what caused me to wonder the best amount of time to wait before checking my oil after turning the car off. Anyone know?

Thanks. Just want to make sure I'm getting the most accurate reading and don't overfill.

[alltracman78]

mercedes only gives out the dry fill spec to aftermarket information.

Aaaah, that makes sense.

just a dealer only tool which is spec specific to the particular engine/engine configuration...its nothing more than a dipstick.

Ah there it is.
More BS money making scams - I was just speaking of another one. Too much of that going on these days. I suppose they'll void the warranty if the oil level is insufficient or overfilled?

You mean to say Mercedes makes engines where there is no positive way to determine the level oil in the oil pan? IDK - I have no experience with them but that doesn't seem right. If the oil change volume measured was off consistantly [likely] even a little every oil change then over the life of the motor it would gradually rise or fall depending and eventually overfill or starve the engine. There is a WHOLE lot of oil changes just in a 100K miles.

There is a way, the level sensor in the pan.
The VAST majority of Benz owners aren't going to bother checking their car, and most wouldn't have a clue where to look anyways. Remember, these aren't people with relatively little money, and a lot of them are image conscious [yes I'm stereotyping, where there's smoke, there's usually fire...], checking and changing their own oil is below them, or just too scary.
The thing is, while you and I are willing and able to check our fluids, most people that own cars can't be bothered or are just too damn stupid. With a idiot light there's a better chance of it being brought somewhere that will take care of it.
Even if the owner is willing and motivated to check/change their own oil there are too many meatheads that can screw up a wet dream.
Some quick examples-
Broken bolts because they tightened instead of loosened
Blown engine because "it's a Toyota, I shouldn't have to change the oil"
Out of gas in a Prius because "it's a Prius, I don't need to fill the tank"
Blown transmissions because they drained the trans instead of the engine
Diesel in a gasoline tank
While I can't say I totally agree with not having an oil dipstick, I can understand where MB is coming from...

You have to understand too, a LOT of this is done in the name of emissions. Too much oil will raise crankcase pressure/vapors, which raises the amount of oil sucked into the intake system, which means more crap in the engine and exhaust.
Relatively small amount, but emissions stuff is getting more and more crazy.
Also, while car manufacturers can definitely be shady about warranty stuff, if the customer does something stupid and screws up their car, why should the manufacturer pay for it?

its a C240 iirc, newer model. there is no oil dipstick that comes with the car, just a dealer only tool which is spec specific to the particular engine/engine configuration...its nothing more than a dipstick. but its only available to dealer service depts.

They've been doing this for years on their auto trans. You can buy the tool, you don't have to be a MB tech. It's probably in the neighborhood of $100 though, or you can make your own [done all the time for the trans].

she had a bad cat (rattling inside and codes set) which should have been free under emissions warranty. they SOMEHOW justified her paying the $800 for the part but 'cut her a brake' on the labor.

What's the exact situation? Dealers definitely screw people on warranty stuff sometimes, but there are LOADS of instances where something is warrantied when it technically shouldn't be, the dealer is just hooking up the customer. Just because it's within the timeframe and/or mileage doesn't guarantee it's warranty.