C63 - checking the oil level

[hab1966]

Maybe its just me but i'm never happy checking the oil level in my C63.

I pull the dipstick out, clean it and re-insert. Pull it out again and there is oil all over the stick!

Do i just need to see oil between the min and max markers and ignore the oil everywhere else?

How much oil is needed to take the level from min to max on the stick?

[ecain63]

Its a pain in the ass checking the oil on the C63. Safest bet is not to add any oil until the car tells you. For some reason the dipstick is about as accurate as the Daily Mail story book. If you must check it, do it when hot but stood for a half hour. The process is in the handbok.

[ontheloop]

I agree, checking the oil is a joke. I hate the thought of waiting for a low oil warning light. How difficult can it be to have an oil level gauge on the dash. My 2004 911 GT3 has this........very frustrating.

[StephenP]

The light is no guarantee of anything ...

My CL63 would show the message on the dash at a stupidly short time after the last top up but it didn't seem to move far down the dipstick. Dealer investigated and ended up replacing the oil level sensor (which is a sump off job on the 6.3l engines). Problem hasn't come back since!

I do wonder if it is a design fault that causes the dipstick to be contaminated when it runs through the pipe. Our GL does the same and it seems to have a somewhat bendy path to follow! The DB7 dipstick, on the other hand, comes out uncontaminated and is easy to extract.

[AMG Merc]

Just saw this as need to top up my c63 although no oil warning light on. Have to agree, out of all my cars (plus all I've previously owned - ever) this one is a pain to check. I can never get an accurate reading.

[1Addicted]

Keep removing the stick, cleaning it and reinserting and eventually you can see where the bulk of the oil has collected and your level. Top up 250ml at a time until you reach the max.

You'll need fully synthetic oil approved to MB 229.5 spec, which is 0w40 if I remember rightly. If you read the internet mind, you've got owners and dealers filling them with 5w40 229.51 spec also which is also stated in the manual. So, I'd say either are safe, as long as fully synthetic and of a decent brand (Mobil 1, Castrol Edge etc.).

[AMG Merc]

1Addicted said:

Keep removing the stick, cleaning it and reinserting and eventually you can see where the bulk of the oil has collected and your level. Top up 250ml at a time until you reach the max.

You'll need fully synthetic oil approved to MB 229.5 spec, which is 0w40 if I remember rightly. If you read the internet mind, you've got owners and dealers filling them with 5w40 229.51 spec also which is also stated in the manual. So, I'd say either are safe, as long as fully synthetic and of a decent brand (Mobil 1, Castrol Edge etc.).

Thanks, will bear that in mind. I use Mobil 1 New Life Synthetic on all my motors - £30/5 litres from Costco.

[1Addicted]

AMG Merc said:

Thanks, will bear that in mind. I use Mobil 1 New Life Synthetic on all my motors - £30/5 litres from Costco.

That's good stuff.

I just flicked through my manual and it would appear that 0w40 is the one, 229.5. I doubt a top up with 229.51 would be THAT bad, if you were desperate though, and close to a service.

[Viperzs]

The 229.5 approved oil list has a wide range of oil viscosities on it.

I can't say I thought the oil check on my CLS was too bad, there was oil on the stick but an obvious level on the marker.