VS30/907 Sprinter engine oil dipstick discrepancy

At Matrix Integrated we repair, maintain, and upfit a lot of Mercedes Sprinters, especially the 2019+ VS3/907 chassis. We’ve noticed numerous discrepancies between the electronic/digital engine oil dipstick in the gauge cluster and the mechanical dipstick reading when using an OEM OM642 dipstick tool.

Here we show a 2020 Sprinter 4WD with 6000mi on it. We performed an oil change in the morning (OEM filter and 12.5qts Total full synthetic 0w30 229.52 spec), started the engine to get full oil pressure. Shut the engine off, electronic dipstick showing Max, mechanical dipstick showed 1/2 between Min and Max.
Then we drove the van 11mi, electronic dipstick still showing Max. After shutting the engine off, checked oil level with our mechanical dipstick and since the engine oil had gotten warm/hot, the dipstick level showed Max as well (oil thins out and level rises).
Then we put 2 cooling fans over/under the engine for 1.5hrs before this video, electronic dipstick readout still shows Max, but mechanical dipstick shows 3/4 between Min and Max.

So, as we have seen in our shops, there can possibly be a discrepancy between the electronic level sensor (digital gauge readout) and the physical oil level (mechanical dipstick tool). We always prefer trusting the mechanical dipstick so long as it’s used properly (check once the engine has been shut off for at least 15-20min for the oil to drain into the pan, don't scrape the dipstick along the inner edge of the dipstick tube, etc). If your VS30 shows an overfill warning on the electronic dipstick gauge, you won’t know if the engine oil is actually a smidge overfilled or not until you check the actual oil level with a mechanical dipstick.

One more detail to note; we do not subscribe to MB USA’s 20,000mi oil change interval. If you care about your engine's health, your van should be getting oil changes in easily less than half that mileage. Our recommendation is every 5000mi or 1yr, especially for those who short trip (1mi to work and back) or use their van as a daily driver, stop/go traffic, etc. If you’re using your van solely for long distance travel trips, then changing well before 10,000mi is our recommendation. Make sure your engine gets an OEM filter and full synthetic oil that meets/exceeds MB spec (229.52 is the latest). Your engine is the heart of your van, don’t skimp on its maintenance if you want your engine to last hundreds of thousands of miles.

As always, let us know if you need any other assistance with NCV3/906 (’07-18) or VS30/907 ('19+) chassis Sprinters. Professional and meticulous workmanship (diagnosis, repair, maintenance, upfit/performance) is available at either our Bend or Portland, Oregon locations (no sales tax). Contact us today for further info; www.matrixintegrated.cc.