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The inevitable oil question

21880 Views 56 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  imacd
I know every vehicle forum always has a thread about oil...so here goes.

I am just over 1000 miles and see my oil is down near the lower end of the dipstick so I want to add some.

What are people using?

Mercedes oil? Mobil 1? I read it needs 229.5 spec but just curious.

Any idea what grade comes in engine from factory? The only Mobil 1 I see is 0W-40 in 229.5 spec.

I was a bit surprised oil level was so low. I have been taking it easy on engine during break-in, but I suppose that maybe such usage is normal during early use...at least I am hoping it is normal!

Thanks!!
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I honestly would just go to the dealer and have them top it. We do top offs all the time at no cost. But a slight drop in oil, or consumption, should be expected on a brand new engine.
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I honestly would just go to the dealer and have them top it. We do top offs all the time at no cost. But a slight drop in oil, or consumption, should be expected on a brand new engine.

Which is okay except when your dealer is 150 miles away.:frown:
I honestly would just go to the dealer and have them top it. We do top offs all the time at no cost. But a slight drop in oil, or consumption, should be expected on a brand new engine.
I called my dealer to ask them about type of oil. I might as well have been asking them how to build a nuclear reactor from popsicle sticks. First they insisted it was a diesel engine. After a few minutes on hold they suggested I make an appointment to drop off the van. I told them I don't have that kind of time to waste.

I am already not loving the dealer. I think they are used to folks who have no silly questions like I do and just hand them the keys and get a latte at their waiting area coffee bar.

Went to another dealer I happened to pass by during my travels today, bought two quarts of MB 229.5 5W40, which is all they had. It is going to have to do.
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You can buy it at pep boys, I had a substantial oil leak on my ML350. I was dumping in oil by the quart a week.
Doesn't the owner's manual tell you what oils to use? At least it has a dipstick - my wife's C-class does not, and you have to go through the computer screen to get a reading...if you wait a while after turning the engine off.
Any 229.5 compliant 5w40 oil is acceptable, although I use Mobile 1

Admittedly that car had so many things wrong with it, I wasn't really caring about preservation anymore. I feel sorry for the idiot who bought it from me. He came in so hard trying to con me that he was buying it for his wife (and not flipping it) that he didn't look at the obvious problems. Or ask me if there were any, even.
Doesn't the owner's manual tell you what oils to use? At least it has a dipstick - my wife's C-class does not, and you have to go through the computer screen to get a reading...if you wait a while after turning the engine off.
They do, all manufactures do that but I know some people like to go beyond that into what might be recommended outside of that, from knowledgeable sources.
Doesn't the owner's manual tell you what oils to use? At least it has a dipstick - my wife's C-class does not, and you have to go through the computer screen to get a reading...if you wait a while after turning the engine off.
The manual does tell you spec...229.5...but not weight or grade of oil. At least I didn't find it.
I found this link that is useful for locating oil meeting the 229.5 specification: https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
I found this link that is useful for locating oil meeting the 229.5 specification: https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html

Thanks for the link!

I still don't know what grade needed for Metris: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40? aebad saying his dealer knows nothing about it.
Might be worth asking a good mechanic as they might have some recommendation that might not be by the book but still very good to follow.
I hope the dealer knows. I'll be taking in mine for its 15k service not too long.a
According to the spec sheet in WIS, 0w30, 0w40, 5w30, 5w40 are all spec'd for the m274 in the metris. Different brands and with their particular weights are listed, but I am not typing 40+ brands. Look for the 229.5 spec


Might be worth asking a good mechanic as they might have some recommendation that might not be by the book but still very good to follow.
I'm a tech. Mechanics have trees.:laugh:
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Edit: just clicked on the link, thats the same info I have.
I am just over 1000 miles and see my oil is down near the lower end of the dipstick so I want to add some.
OK, I have a question for you, (and others). You say your oil is down near the end of the dipstick, did you get a low oil warning on the dash? In reading the 300 page owner's manual I seem to recall there is a low oil or "add engine oil" warning. So when will that display typically.

Before getting my Metris in February, I was driving a Toyota Tacoma, which I bought new in 2002. The Tacoma never used oil between regular oil changes. I got out of the habit of even checking the dip stick. I suppose with my new Metris I better get back into that habit, at least until I know what the oil consumption is. In fact I'm making a note to myself to check the dip stick tomorrow. I'm glad I read this thread.
The dipstick is overly cautious (based on my experience in other Benz products) and the oil message on the dashboard comes on plenty early enough (my last car actually had an oil leak of significant proportions).

That being said, (although I have never had this happen with anything but a fuel gauge) I would check your oil from time to time anyway, just incase the sensor fails and the onboard diagnostic for the sensor doesn't sense it.

And that busted fuel gauge was on a 1982 car in 2002 with some 450k miles on it.
I just checked my dip stick and the oil level is at the half way point. I have just under 1,500 miles on my van now. I guess I should have checked the level right after I picked it up at the dealer. But as I said in my previous post, I've been spoiled by my 2002 Toyota Tacoma that never used oil. I need to check the Metris' oil more often until I learn it's consumption habits.

By the way, below is a screen shot of what the Owner's Manual says about oil consumption. This seems a little excessive to me but perhaps Mercedes is just covering their ass in the manual? Frankly if my new Metris was using this much oil I'd be pissed!

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I checked my oil today, just for you. My Metris has 26k and change, it was serviced at 15k miles. It is still in the middle. I have edit: NOT added more oil. If it burns what the manual says, let me know. I'll buy a new Tacoma.

PS what I added was too much Seagrams VO Gold Canadian Whiskey, apparently.
I checked my oil today, just for you. My Metris has 26k and change, it was serviced at 15k miles. It is still in the middle. I have edit: NOT added more oil. If it burns what the manual says, let me know. I'll buy a new Tacoma.

PS what I added was too much Seagrams VO Gold Canadian Whiskey, apparently.
You have over 26K miles already? Are you using it for deliver or Uber type driving?
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