Check the Engine Oil Level (No Dipstick)

The Mercedes-Benz CLA (C118, 2019–present) has no engine oil dipstick — you read the level electronically from the instrument-cluster menu. It catches a lot of owners out, so here’s how to check it properly. There is nothing wrong with the car and nothing missing under the bonnet: this generation deletes the traditional dipstick and instead reports the level on the dashboard from a sensor in the sump. Checking it is a normal part of routine care, exactly like pulling a dipstick used to be — the difference is that you read a screen rather than wipe a stick, and the reading is only trustworthy when the engine is warm and the car is level.

Why There’s No Dipstick

A sensor in the sump measures the oil level and the car displays it on the dash. It’s accurate, but only when the engine is warm and the car is on level ground — check it wrong and you’ll get a misleading reading. The reason is simple physics: oil takes time to drain back down into the sump and it expands as it heats, so a cold engine or a car parked nose-up or nose-down leaves oil pooled where the sensor can’t read it correctly. The electronic gauge does the same job the dipstick used to — telling you whether there is enough oil and roughly how much to add — but it needs those two conditions met to give a number you can rely on.

First, a Few Checks

• Warm the engine to normal operating temperature by driving normally — a brief idle from cold is not enough.
• Park on genuinely level ground. A driveway camber or a slight slope will skew the reading.
• Let the oil settle after switching off if the method calls for it, or follow the on-screen instruction to keep the engine idling while it measures.
• Have the right oil to hand before you top up — an MB-approved specification for your engine; check the handbook for the exact grade and capacity.
• Add gradually. It is far easier to add a little more than to remove oil you’ve overfilled.

How to Check the Oil Level

1. Park on a level surface with the engine at normal operating temperature, then let it idle.
2. Open the cluster menu with the steering-wheel controls.
3. Go to ‘Service’ and select ‘Oil level’ (Engine oil level).
4. Wait while the car measures — it shows the level as OK, or how much to top up (or that it’s over-full).

Topping Up

• Add the correct MB-approved oil for your engine (check the handbook for the exact specification) a little at a time.
• Re-measure after a few minutes; don’t overfill — too much oil is as harmful as too little.

If the Reading Looks Wrong

• Cold engine or a slope — the sensor needs the car warm and level; re-check.
• ‘Measurement not possible’ — let the engine idle a little longer and retry.
• You just topped up — give the fresh oil a few minutes to drain into the sump before you re-measure, or the reading will still look low.
• Reading swings between checks — make sure you are testing under the same conditions each time (same warm-up, same level spot).

Once It’s Done

Once the display shows the level as OK, you’re done — no counter to reset and nothing to refit. If you added oil, re-run the menu check after a few minutes to confirm you’ve brought it into range without going over. Get into the habit of checking under the same warm, level conditions each time and the electronic gauge will give you a consistent, repeatable reading you can trust between services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the oil on a Mercedes CLA with no dipstick?

Warm the engine to normal temperature, park level and let it idle, then open the cluster menu and read Service → Oil level. The screen reports OK, an amount to top up, or that it is over-full — there is no stick to pull.

Why does my reading change?

The electronic check needs a warm engine on level ground; cold oil or a slope skews it because the oil hasn’t fully drained back or is sitting unevenly in the sump. Check under the same warm, level conditions each time for a consistent result.

What oil does it take?

An MB-approved specification for your engine — check the handbook for the exact grade and capacity. Engines differ, so don’t assume a figure from another car; use the specification listed for your CLA and add it gradually.

Can I overfill it?

Yes, and it’s harmful — too much oil can be as damaging as too little. Add a small amount at a time, wait a few minutes for it to settle, then re-measure through the menu rather than pouring in a full bottle at once.

Why won’t it show a reading at all?

If the menu says measurement isn’t possible, the engine usually needs to be warmer or to idle a little longer so the sensor can take a stable reading. Let it run, make sure you are level, and retry.

How often should I check it?

Treat it like any oil check — periodically between services and before long trips, and any time a low-oil warning appears. Because it only takes a menu tap once the car is warm and level, it’s easy to do regularly.

Doing an oil change? Reset the counter afterwards with our CLA service reset guide. For warning lights, look up the code on autodtcs.com.