nlpamg

So last night my car asked me to put in 1 quart of oil at the nearest gas station.

This was the second time it's asked that after my Service B. I did the Service B around 6000 miles ago, and at 3000 miles after Service B it asked me to add a quart which I did and last night after another 3000 miles it asked again. So I was worried and took it to the dealer this morning (DTLA Motors).

Just a preface, but they were great! I was in a hurry and really needed to get on my way b/c I've been preparing for something really important in the next couple weeks and they completely understood my situation. They added 1 quart of oil and looked around the engine bay when I was in the drive to check for any leaks. They said that it was within MB Spec b/c MB Spec says that it's ok for it to consume 1 qt per 1000 miles. But, they said that when everything is done, I can take it back to them and they'll perform an oil consumption test etc.

Anyone have anything similar happen to them?

SeaCoupe

Here are my thoughts.

That is not within any kinds of spec I have heard of. How many miles are on your car total? Knowing you are a careful driver, You are likely not redlinining. I worry that you have Super Charger Seals that are going bad. This will easily put oil into the intercooler where it accumulates. It then makes its way to the MAF. You can check this by looking into the MAF. Or have them do it. When the supercharger goes bad, it happens so gradually you don't notice the small reduction in power. Eventually your MPG will go down to.

Let us know.

Ed

nlpamg

I have redlined it actually. I know it's a pretty dumb/obvious question, but does redlining make the engine consume more oil? I have a lot of miles--32k. I will have them check the MAF and the supercharger seals.

Hopefully the oil consumption test they were talking about will reveal some results. I haven't seen my MPG go down at all though, it's been pretty good.

Thanks Ed!

jan ken po

I have 20K on my '05. Never have had the display tell me to add more oil. No redlining here though.

Buellwinkle

I don't get any messages but if I check the oil, it seems to say to add a quart after about 8K miles.

harpz

Ya i do get the add 1 qt of oil...half way or sometime way before i need the next service done, my service advisor told me it was normal...he said its because the car is under heavy load and so u end up using more then the "average mercedes driver"...but they were nice enough to say that if u ever need to put oil put it, save the reciept and we'll knock it off ur next service charge.... but i'm guessing driving the car under a heavy load (which is still a bit weird b\c i drive the cobalt much much harder and haven't had any engine problems or run out of oil) isn't the only culprit..well thats all i can think of
if u don't mind me asking how do u drive? spirited or relaxed...car always have three or four people etc.. long distances, lots of hills?

mleskovar

Never added oil in 103K miles, but I have the V6 version. The manufacturer sets the 'spec' so who can you argue with? Only one of my last 12 new cars used/burned/leaked oil and it was a quart every 2500 miles after 80K miles. I think a car under 75K miles shouldn't need any oil between changes unless you are abusing it (not criticizing).

Tangerine

does this only apply to the supercharged cars or does it also apply to the v6? it seems weird abuot how its needed to add oil after heavy driving, but then again maybe its me cuz i grew up around japanese cars

harpz

Ya it does seem a bit wierd, as i mentioned i drive the cobalt much harder (its got a honda engine...2.4L 145 HP) about once every two months it gets driven for about 21 hours straight...the benz does it too but not as often, i've never had a problem with oil in that car, I think redlining may also be a cause, i just thought about i've redlined before any techy out there reading this?

off topic..nlpamg...luv what u've done with ur car

TruTaing

Im in the same boat with mleskovar and I have almost 60k miles. My dad's w202 doesnt have any of this characteristic either and hes at 140+k miles.

-j0hn

k_lundquist

I've had Service A and B done. During both intervals the car has asked for a Quart of oil. Usually close in milage to the next service.

So maybe every 10k after a service the car asks for a Quart. I don't drive the car too too hard. Most shifts are under 3k (although I do accelerate fast to that point) and once a week I might run the car up to 5k for a quick few seconds of fun. I do however use the engine to brake. So my down shifting on occasion can take the car to 4k, though usually more like 3 - 3.5.

But don't our cars have a lot more oil than the adverage 4 banger anyway?

mctwin2kman

About 8000 miles it says to on mine. I add a half a quart though not a full since I have no dipstick to check it with.

Engine Specs held by all manufacturers call for consumption of 1 quart every 1000 miles as well within spec and have done this for at least the last 20 years I remember. Not that all cars should do this but it is the acceptable amount of oil usage. Meaning that unless it consumes more than 1 quart every 1000 miles you are not getting a new engine. Common to due one every 3000-4000 though on some engines, depends on how the engine was broken in and the rings set.

I broke mine in by driving it like I would always drive it. Basically hitting redline and making sure the engine was in all ranges of the rev band. Never used cruise during the first 1000 miles and never held the same engine speed for too long. And I use one quart according to the computer every 8000-9000 miles. I find this very acceptable.

On a side note look at oil usage on a rotary engine, the RX-8 consumes 1 quart every 1000 miles. But this is by design since the oil is used in the combustion chamber of a rotary engine.

BabyBenz6spd

I dont redline as much......but I often get the RPM into 5000RPM range. Change my oil every 6500 miles. Never seen "add oil" screen before

Moviela

German cars of the distant past used a quart in 1,000 miles. Some Vw's used a liter in 600 miles! This was due to the machining of the cylinder walls, especially during the honing process. This left peaks of metal in a crosshatch pattern on the cylinder walls. The piston rings then scraped the peaks off the walls for some thousand miles or so. Special oil was used to help carry away the metal bits cut off by the rings, called "break in oil." The break in never resulted in a very smooth finish, in that some peaks were cut off more than others. The left over high peaks would hold more oil, and the oil would be caught in the combustion process.

Today, there is no break in oil used, it is not needed. The engine is honed using a plannar process that cuts off the peaks very evenly, resulting in a very round cylinder bore. The flat plane does not hold more oil than is required for lubrication of the rings. The engine is machined at manufacture to be as it would be from a proper break in of an old stlye honed cylinder.

This means that the engine is ready to go as far as the cylinders go. You might take it easy on a new engine for a little bit to allow the crank bearings to lap themselves. One of the reasons for developing this technology is to make the car get better mileage from the first mile, and to keep oil out of the cat as much as practical.

I think that a quart in 1,000 miles is too much. The fact that it occured after an oil change makes me think you might have received a short fill. You can check the oil from the instrument cluster by dancing three times on the reset button just after you turn on the key. You can read the oil level in tenths of a liter whilst the motor is running. You need to use the steering wheel controls to find the screen with the oil level check, after you enter the battery voltage reading screen.

SUNILP

have the v6, 34k miles, not one drop of oil ever added, never redline.

C230SportsCoupe

Redlined often, driven hard, and currently 65K miles and its asked for off and on for a week, I suspect the level was just low enough when I drive it hard enough is sucked away from the sensor to make it complain. Added a bit, not all it asked for, since I don't want the opposite message "oil level too high".

So 65K miles and maybe 1/2 qt oil 1000 miles before next service, not bad.

mctwin2kman

Agreed that engines are made much better today than 30 years ago, but that 1 quart every 1000 spec has stayed around. I am not saying I agree with it, especially with 7500-10,000 miles oil changes coming out from several manufacturers. I am fine with mine losing 1/2 a quart every 8,000-9,000 miles. No biggie here. And the light only flashes when you really get on it when it gets down. That is why I only add a half a quart. Without a dipstick I do not trust the little computer. Not to mention the M271 holds a lot of oil.

jtC320

I have to add one bottle every month since my daily commute milage is near 110 each day...

SEXSPHERE

never haha.. i just do it when the service a / b is up..

b3d_sage

99.2k miles and I'm a very spirited driver. It takes about 1qt every 1000 miles. I've had it checked and rechecked (by different people) and they always say there are no problems to be found, it just consumes a lot of oil. I've also had the computer's reading verified by having the oil drained and measuring how much oil came out- computer is spot on. I have had to accept that it just simply eats a lot of oil.

TA-9FF

I have the M272 V6, 12k miles, not one drop of oil ever added, never redlined.......

Which reminds me, that I should check again to make sure levels are fine......

eforer

is there any easy way to verify if your super charger is toast? I get the warning after like 8k on my 02 c230k coupe. I do drive very very hard though.

cla 1000

I aded a quart after 4000 miles. I sometimes stepon it but not all the time.
I have 66k onn the car. Mine is the 2.3liter. I did notice a little oil on the hose on top of the engine.

pookie

I drive like a crazy man. If the benz doesn't redline, then it is not me driving. Never added any oil.

mctwin2kman

If you burn 1 quart of oil in 8000 miles you are doing pretty good. The manufacturer's for the last 30+ years have found that 1 quart per 1000 miles is acceptable and unless you burn more than that you are within acceptable limits. So be happy you get one quart every 8000. That is about the same as I get and I drive it like I stole it. Light never comes on for my wife but when I get in I almost always get it after about 8000 miles. I only add a half quart and it never comes back on.