Oil Level Problem
#26
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Random note involving low oil notifications:
It happens a lot more when you're over the service interval ( ie you're engine's oil has degraded ). I was way over on my last service A (the mega oil change, ha), and my car complained for oil while driving, but when I parked and had the car measure the oil, it would be fine. And yes, I probably drive my car harder than I should and I might have to add half a quart of oil towards the end of my interval while I also know that my recirculating valve covers are leaking!
I don't know if this applies to the m111/m271...
It happens a lot more when you're over the service interval ( ie you're engine's oil has degraded ). I was way over on my last service A (the mega oil change, ha), and my car complained for oil while driving, but when I parked and had the car measure the oil, it would be fine. And yes, I probably drive my car harder than I should and I might have to add half a quart of oil towards the end of my interval while I also know that my recirculating valve covers are leaking!
I don't know if this applies to the m111/m271...
#27
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Thread Starter
I got the same problem. And I changed my oil last month. Is there something seriously wrong with my car? It's probably burning oil right? I added half a qt and it seems fine now. Is this normal or do I have a serious issue here?
Thanks
Thanks
#28
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2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
OK, here are a couple of things:
1st, to answer Glyn's question, the M272 equipped W203's have a oil level sensor AND a dipstick. According to the local stealerships lead tech, the sensor on these cars is just a "dumb" sensor, and just senses low oil level condition and can't read actual level. It at a point where it detects oil level low at ~1.5 quarts below max level.
2nd, These cars are VERY sensitive to the car being PERFECTLY level when checking the level. My garage is fairly level. When doing alignments, I only need ~1/8 spacer on the front side of the garage to get the car perfectly level, But, when I check the oil level when pulled in straight, then when backed in (Opposite directions), the oil level on the dipstick is DRASTICALLY different. One way shows over 1/2 quart overfilled, and the other shows over 1/2 quart below max.
3rd, I suspect the dipstick it not quite right for these cars. When my car was delivered to the dealership from the assembly plant in Germany, the dipstick showed ~1+ quarts overfilled. And I have done all my own oil changes and even did the test of the "drain vs. suction" and there is not a drop of oil left when I change the oil, but I can still only get 7-7.5 quarts of oil in the car until the dipstick reads max. That is 1-1.5 quarts less than the fill capacity of 8.5 quarts.
4th, I have had the "Check oil level at next gas station" message several times after an oil change before getting the level to the max. And all of those times the oil level read 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up from the LOW.
5th, My 07 C230 does not burn any oil between 10K oil changes using Mobil 1 0W-40, and I don't baby mine at all, but don't drive quite as aggressive as Karo.
1st, to answer Glyn's question, the M272 equipped W203's have a oil level sensor AND a dipstick. According to the local stealerships lead tech, the sensor on these cars is just a "dumb" sensor, and just senses low oil level condition and can't read actual level. It at a point where it detects oil level low at ~1.5 quarts below max level.
2nd, These cars are VERY sensitive to the car being PERFECTLY level when checking the level. My garage is fairly level. When doing alignments, I only need ~1/8 spacer on the front side of the garage to get the car perfectly level, But, when I check the oil level when pulled in straight, then when backed in (Opposite directions), the oil level on the dipstick is DRASTICALLY different. One way shows over 1/2 quart overfilled, and the other shows over 1/2 quart below max.
3rd, I suspect the dipstick it not quite right for these cars. When my car was delivered to the dealership from the assembly plant in Germany, the dipstick showed ~1+ quarts overfilled. And I have done all my own oil changes and even did the test of the "drain vs. suction" and there is not a drop of oil left when I change the oil, but I can still only get 7-7.5 quarts of oil in the car until the dipstick reads max. That is 1-1.5 quarts less than the fill capacity of 8.5 quarts.
4th, I have had the "Check oil level at next gas station" message several times after an oil change before getting the level to the max. And all of those times the oil level read 1/2 to 3/4 of the way up from the LOW.
5th, My 07 C230 does not burn any oil between 10K oil changes using Mobil 1 0W-40, and I don't baby mine at all, but don't drive quite as aggressive as Karo.
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
I had wondered about the 06-07 cars having oil level sensors. I wonder what made them stop being able to measure the level, like mine can? Thanks for clearing it up, John.
Doesn't sound like you have a problem Karo, just an annoyance.
Doesn't sound like you have a problem Karo, just an annoyance.
#30
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Thread Starter
Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help. ^^ You are lucky you have the digital level indicator. I agree on the dipstick part, the dipstick is horrible. One moment it says it's normal the next moment it only has oil on the tip.
#31
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Thanks John - I did not know dipstick cars had a low oil "dumb" sensor. It makes good sense. I'm not delighted to hear the calibration issues. Why can't they get the dipstick correct. They won't be the first manufacturer to ship cars with the wrong dipstick. My mom had an Austin 1800 "Land Crab" many years back which she loved
. The thing drank oil from new. Dad complained & Leyland said - Oh crap - your car has the wrong dipstick & is hopelessly overfilled. Changed the dipstick & corrected the level - never used another drop. Mother's likes moved on to a Chrysler Valiant & then an Alfa. She liked variety - I can't imagine 3 more different cars
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Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 08-05-2009 at 05:11 PM.
#32
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2002 C320 Wagon
W203 Oil Consumption
Hey Now,
[QUOTE=splinter;3559296]MB’s contention is that consumption in excess of .8 liter per 1000 kilometers is cause for concern – and only then justification for warrantable repairs."
I have a 2002 C320, 109K miles, that is driven under normal conditions. We use Mobil 1 and change oil at 7K intervals. Around the 4 to 6K mile mark, I receive routine promptings to add oil. I usually pour in 1/4 to 1/2 quart,then drive until the next prompting. During the most recent 7K mile interval, I have added 2 quarts.
Based on what you people (who are far more knowledgeable that I am) say, my vehicle's oil consumption is well within normal operating standards. Should I dismiss my worries or is this cause for concern? Since the prompt to add oil arrives late in the mileage interval, does this prove the theory that degraded oil wears out or burns quicker? Is there anything I s/do or can do to prevent such oil consumption?
Thanks,
Al
[QUOTE=splinter;3559296]MB’s contention is that consumption in excess of .8 liter per 1000 kilometers is cause for concern – and only then justification for warrantable repairs."
I have a 2002 C320, 109K miles, that is driven under normal conditions. We use Mobil 1 and change oil at 7K intervals. Around the 4 to 6K mile mark, I receive routine promptings to add oil. I usually pour in 1/4 to 1/2 quart,then drive until the next prompting. During the most recent 7K mile interval, I have added 2 quarts.
Based on what you people (who are far more knowledgeable that I am) say, my vehicle's oil consumption is well within normal operating standards. Should I dismiss my worries or is this cause for concern? Since the prompt to add oil arrives late in the mileage interval, does this prove the theory that degraded oil wears out or burns quicker? Is there anything I s/do or can do to prevent such oil consumption?
Thanks,
Al
#33
MBWorld Fanatic!
Don't worry, be happy. Yes that's a lot of oil to be using but if it's actually burning/using oil (as opposed to leaking it) the alternatives are expensive.
Check for leaks. If there are no leaks and the motor is actually consuming the oil the only thing you can do is find the source and repair it....or keep adding oil when needed.
#34
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#35
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2002 C320 Wagon
Oil - where did it go?
Ok...following up on this matter:
* My Indy garage just did my oil change and put in eight (8) quarts of Mobil 1 5w/30 and a new MB oil filter kit, at a cost of $121. They recommend changing oil/filter every 7k miles.
* I tried going into the dyno mode, but no luck.
* I only add oil when the light prompts me to do so. At that time, I add (a/k/a "spoon feed" for some of you) anywhere b/n 1/4 and 1/2 quart. When I start the car up later, the malfunction has disappeared from the screen.
* I have never observed any oil leaks, nor does the exhaust show signs of oil burning.
I see from you knowledgeable folks that the oil capacity is 8.5 quarts, yet my Indy adds 8 quarts for an oil change service. Why would they do this? Should I just add 1/2 quart now to keep it at full capacity? Why or why not?
It seems that MB's do tend to use an acceptable amount of oil for every so many miles. Does anyone have hard facts on this?
Thanks again for everyone's assistance.
* My Indy garage just did my oil change and put in eight (8) quarts of Mobil 1 5w/30 and a new MB oil filter kit, at a cost of $121. They recommend changing oil/filter every 7k miles.
* I tried going into the dyno mode, but no luck.
* I only add oil when the light prompts me to do so. At that time, I add (a/k/a "spoon feed" for some of you) anywhere b/n 1/4 and 1/2 quart. When I start the car up later, the malfunction has disappeared from the screen.
* I have never observed any oil leaks, nor does the exhaust show signs of oil burning.
I see from you knowledgeable folks that the oil capacity is 8.5 quarts, yet my Indy adds 8 quarts for an oil change service. Why would they do this? Should I just add 1/2 quart now to keep it at full capacity? Why or why not?
It seems that MB's do tend to use an acceptable amount of oil for every so many miles. Does anyone have hard facts on this?
Thanks again for everyone's assistance.
Last edited by Alan B; 08-13-2009 at 06:24 AM.
#36
MBWorld Fanatic!
* I tried going into the dyno mode, but no luck.
* I only add oil when the light prompts me to do so. At that time, I add (a/k/a "spoon feed" for some of you) anywhere b/n 1/4 and 1/2 quart. When I start the car up later, the malfunction has disappeared from the screen.
* I have never observed any oil leaks, nor does the exhaust show signs of oil burning.
I see from you knowledgeable folks that the oil capacity is 8.5 quarts, yet my Indy adds 8 quarts for an oil change service. Why would they do this?
Should I just add 1/2 quart now to keep it at full capacity? Why or why not?
It seems that MB's do tend to use an acceptable amount of oil for every so many miles. Does anyone have hard facts on this?
Thanks again for everyone's assistance.
It seems that MB's do tend to use an acceptable amount of oil for every so many miles. Does anyone have hard facts on this?
Thanks again for everyone's assistance.
#37
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1. Start with key removed.
2. Insert key and turn to position 1 (first detent)
3. Press 'Page Down' button on steering wheel (lower right button on the left side of the wheel) to select any MFD display other than trip odometer or it will reset the mileage.
4. Press and hold trip odometer reset button until you hear a beep...takes a while. You may see changes in the MFD but hold reset button until beep.
5. Press 'Page Down' once
6. You'll see a screen with numbers etc. and oil level values will be dashes
7. Turn key to position 2 and wait for it to measure the oil.
If this procedure doesn't work for you then where do you get stuck? Also, my car show 7.8 quarts when I fill with 8.5 qts. (some in the filter).
Oops...just noticed I said the same thing LILBENZ230 did
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Last edited by mleskovar; 08-14-2009 at 11:26 PM.
#39
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As long as the vehicle is not smoking just fix leaks & drive it. MB for years has considered oil consumption at 1% of fuel consumption to be the condemning limit. That's high!
#43
MBWorld Fanatic!
No you must use an oil that meets MB 229.5 approval. I am not sure if the oil you mentioned meets that but if not don't use it. The oil I and several of us use here is mobil 1 0w-40 euro car formula. Fully synthetic of course
#45
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Thread Starter
I should have taken the car to the dealer before acting, they would have saved me the headache. When I got this message couple of months ago I added some oil. Well last night I got this message again so I said I will check my oil tomorrow morning. Car needs to sit 30 min before checking the oil (coming home at 3:00 AM I couldn't wait 30 min lol) Just now I went to check the oil level.
I don't know if you guys recall when my neighbor got into my wireless network and I hacked his computer and got WIS/EPC?
Well that same neighbor was walking his dog. He said what's wrong and I told him. He said "Don't worry" "our cars don't have a capability to read engine oil and it's just there for you to check JUST IN CASE"
Bottom line is the oil message doesn't really mean the oil is low. What it means is just to be safe check the oil level.
Case Closed.
I'm glad I hadn't damaged anything by adding a half quart of oil.
P.S. He has a ML350
I don't know if you guys recall when my neighbor got into my wireless network and I hacked his computer and got WIS/EPC?
Well that same neighbor was walking his dog. He said what's wrong and I told him. He said "Don't worry" "our cars don't have a capability to read engine oil and it's just there for you to check JUST IN CASE"
Bottom line is the oil message doesn't really mean the oil is low. What it means is just to be safe check the oil level.
Case Closed.
I'm glad I hadn't damaged anything by adding a half quart of oil.
P.S. He has a ML350
#46
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Thread Starter
Above is false. F my neighbor.
This message isn't a courtesy reminder to check your engine oil level. You got this message because you engine oil level is low.
If you constantly get this message (after adding a quart) then something is wrong.
On the dipstick it should be between MIN and MAX. Mine was MIN and the manual said between MIN and MAX the difference is 2.1 qts.
This is what I am stuck with. Luckily I have warranty still.
![](http://i33.tinypic.com/dmu006.jpg)
This message isn't a courtesy reminder to check your engine oil level. You got this message because you engine oil level is low.
If you constantly get this message (after adding a quart) then something is wrong.
On the dipstick it should be between MIN and MAX. Mine was MIN and the manual said between MIN and MAX the difference is 2.1 qts.
This is what I am stuck with. Luckily I have warranty still.
![](http://i33.tinypic.com/dmu006.jpg)
#47
Hi Guys,
I know this post is quite old, but I'm in a pretty much the same situation.
I have a 2005 CLS 350 and I keep getting "add 1 litre engine oil when next refueling" warning on the dash. I got an oil leak from the oil cooler next to the oil filter, but wasn't a major one. Chnaged the seals and it's all good now, but still getting this message. I've added around 2,5 liters for 13k km(~8.1k miles).
@Karo - what was the cause for the oil leak? Did the oil consumption stop after fixing the leak?
I use Fuchs TITAN Supersyn LONGLIFE 5W-40 which is a 229.5 spec oil.
I'm planing to change the oil with Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 although Mobil has a pretty bad reputation here in Bulgaria as it is imported from Turkey(or God knows where else
).
I don't have balance shaft issues, or at least don't have the relted errors P0016 nad P0017. Actually I don't have any other errors in the ECU. No other leaks are observed.
The local mechanics want to open the engine to check what's going on but I wouldn't like to take this step.
Any comment would be much appreciated.
Cheers!
I know this post is quite old, but I'm in a pretty much the same situation.
I have a 2005 CLS 350 and I keep getting "add 1 litre engine oil when next refueling" warning on the dash. I got an oil leak from the oil cooler next to the oil filter, but wasn't a major one. Chnaged the seals and it's all good now, but still getting this message. I've added around 2,5 liters for 13k km(~8.1k miles).
@Karo - what was the cause for the oil leak? Did the oil consumption stop after fixing the leak?
I use Fuchs TITAN Supersyn LONGLIFE 5W-40 which is a 229.5 spec oil.
I'm planing to change the oil with Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 although Mobil has a pretty bad reputation here in Bulgaria as it is imported from Turkey(or God knows where else
![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
I don't have balance shaft issues, or at least don't have the relted errors P0016 nad P0017. Actually I don't have any other errors in the ECU. No other leaks are observed.
The local mechanics want to open the engine to check what's going on but I wouldn't like to take this step.
Any comment would be much appreciated.
Cheers!
#48
oil leak
Guys I need your help, I notice today i have a small leak in my 2006 c230 sport. I think it is coming from the oil cooler or oil housing because it drips on my serpentine belt. There is a chance i could be the the gasket located inside? Please help
Last edited by Ocampo111; 08-15-2014 at 06:52 PM.