Mandatory VS30 Sprinter Van Mod
So you bought a new 2019, 2020 or 2021 Sprinter Van. Woohoo! Sweet new ride! The facelift did take a bit to grow on us, but we absolutely love it now. The interior was a huge change. But what else has happened here?
Read our other post on our initial observations of the new 2019 VS30 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van (for the US).
With this update came with a bunch of digital bells and whistles. One of them being the main instrument cluster which houses the speedo, the tach and a digital screen to inform you what’s going on. But now it seems you are reliant / required to use that screen for absolutely everything. So much so that you cannot check your oil unless it’s through this screen!!!
2011 NVC3 Sprinter van instrument cluster shown
Now the NVC3 vans from 2008 to 2018 had a small screen in the center giving you host of information tapped into the internal OBDII system. So this is nothing too new.
So now what?
We’re a bit old fashioned and don’t always trust the digital gauge to read accurately. A bunch of overly smart engineers made some decisions to only allow you to have the oil level available after a period of time (when the oil warms up) and won’t measure cold when the engine has drained all it’s oil down to the sump (oil pan).
Enter the old school, tried and true… Dipstick.
Can you image. New Sprinter vans do not have dipsticks? WTF!?!?
The funny… or odd part of this whole thing is that the newer facelifted VS30 style vans that have the V6 3.0 diesel engine have not only the same engine going back to 2012 vans but also has the dipstick tube in place. But instead of having a dipstick, it just has this simple plug. So the easiest thing you can do is just remove the plug and slip in an OEM replacement dipstick. It just fits with no issues. Yes, the digital display for the oil level will still work. But you’ll get the old school analog way to measure your oil without waiting for the computer to measure and display. You can even check your oil with the engine off. Imagine that!
Buy an oil Dipstick here (for V6 Diesel only)
The dipstick plug on the 3.0 V6 Diesel Sprinter Van.
Update: If you have a new 4 Cylinder Sprinter Van starting in 2024 you are NOT able to check your oil level manually. This is completely insane to us, but it is what it is.
Check out some other Mods you can do to your van
Adding a snorkel to a Sprinter Van. What are the best options? We’ve compiled a list of some options we’ve found around the world.