Check the Engine Oil Level (No Dipstick)

The Mercedes-Benz GLA (H247, 2020–present) does away with the traditional engine oil dipstick entirely. Instead of pulling a stick and reading a smear of oil, you ask the car for the level and it reports back through the instrument-cluster display. It is a genuine convenience once you know where to look, but it catches a lot of owners out the first time — they open the bonnet, hunt for a dipstick that was never fitted, and assume something is missing. Nothing is wrong: this is simply how the GLA is designed, and reading the level correctly takes less than a minute from the driver’s seat.

Why There’s No Dipstick

A level sensor sits in the sump and measures how much oil is in the pan. The car processes that reading and shows it to you on the dash, replacing the job the dipstick used to do. The electronic method is at least as accurate as a stick — but only under the right conditions. The oil has to have drained back into the sump and be at a settled temperature, and the car has to be sitting flat. Check it on a cold engine, on a driveway that slopes, or seconds after switching off, and the reading will be misleading through no fault of the sensor. Get the conditions right and it is reliable and repeatable.

First, a Few Checks

• Park on a genuinely level surface — a slope tips oil to one end of the sump and skews the measurement.
• Bring the engine up to normal operating temperature; a short drive is enough, then let it idle as the method requires.
• Have the engine running and idling when you open the oil-level screen unless the display tells you otherwise.
• Keep the correct MB-approved oil to hand in case you need to top up, along with a clean funnel and a rag.
• Give the car a minute to settle after any driving so the reading stabilises rather than jumping around.

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

If the display asks for oil, add it in small stages rather than all at once. The sump takes time to catch up with what you pour in, so patience prevents an overfill.

• 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.

Overfilling is not a harmless mistake. Excess oil can be whipped into foam by the crankshaft, starve the pump of solid oil, and push against seals. If you go over, it is better to drain a little back out than to leave it high.

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.
• Reading swings between checks — the oil hasn’t settled; wait a minute or two and measure again on flat ground.
• You just topped up — give the fresh oil time to drain into the sump before you trust the new figure.

Once It’s Done

Once the level shows OK, you can close the menu and carry on — there is nothing to reset for the check itself. If you have just done an oil change, the level screen is also a useful final confirmation that you filled to the right amount before you drive away. Re-check again after your next warm-up drive to be sure the figure holds steady.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Warm the engine, park on level ground, then read Service → Oil level in the instrument-cluster menu using the steering-wheel controls. Let it idle while it measures, and it will report OK, a top-up amount, or an over-full warning.

Why does my reading change between checks?

The electronic check needs a warm engine on level ground with the oil settled in the sump. Cold oil, a sloping surface, or measuring straight after driving all skew the figure. Repeat the check under the right conditions and it will settle.

What oil does the GLA take?

An MB-approved specification matched to your particular engine — the petrol and diesel units differ. Check the handbook or the oil-cap marking for the correct grade and the capacity, rather than guessing, so you neither underfill nor overfill.

Can I overfill it?

Yes, and it is genuinely harmful — too much oil can foam, stress seals and starve the pump. Add oil gradually and re-measure between pours. If you overshoot, drain a little back out rather than running the engine high.

Do I need any tools to check it?

No tools at all for the reading itself — it is done entirely from the driver’s seat through the dashboard menu. You only need oil, a funnel and a rag if the display asks you to top up.

How often should I check it?

A monthly check is sensible, plus before any long trip and after an oil change. The car will also warn you on the dash if the level drops too low, but a periodic manual check catches slow consumption before it becomes a problem.

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