Hi,

I'm getting this check oil at next service station error message constantly while driving for the last 1-2 weeks.

Someone mentioned that the C350 might be eating / burning the oil ... and to check the levels.

I'm only at 11,500 km ( half that for miles ) ... so service A probably isn't required. How can i add oil to my car ? I've never done this myself before.

Thanks

There is something wrong for you to need oil added with so few miles on it.

I'd take it back to the dealer where I bought it and have them look into it if for no other reason so that it'll be documented that you brought it to their attention.

Good grief!

Check the dipstick....add oil as required. Read the manual if in doubt. But for heaven's sake, don't wait any longer! 2 weeks????

Adding oil at nearly 7000 miles? This hardly constitutes "eating oil". There is nothing wrong, except driving around with the engine needing oil. This kind of consumption is not unusual, especially before the first oil change, but ignoring the warning is an invitation to making something minor into something major.

Ouch. OK . (also i work from home) ... so 2 weeks = going to grocery store / and going downtown on the weekends. I'll have it looked at immediately !

Really! Do you have any idea how expensive running low on oil can be? If a bearing surface in the engine gets starved, like around a corner or whatever, it is new engine time. And, no, warranty won't touch it.

You are playing with fire.

just went to car and checked the oil level. I'm soooooo pissed off. It's at the lowest acceptable level.

This is nuts, the cluster didn't flash RED, it just conveniently in blue text (same color as everything else) said... hey ... check the oil at the next service station !

here is a picture.... can someone please advise.. what I should do... i won't be driving this car until there is some oil in there...

[ sorry for the half *** photo... ]

You would think alarms would be going off at the halfway mark or something....

i'm going to get some Mobil 0W-40 tomorrow fill it up a quarter way and this car is going straight to the dealer. Is there anything special i need to do... or just put in half a quart straight from the bottle into the engine ? pls advise...

i don't want to fill it up just want enough to make it to the dealer... (25 miles / 45 km away)

The system seems to be working perfectly. It is quite fine to drive while the oil level is between the low and the high marks. If the computer started screaming at halfway, the low mark should be put there.

Honestly it would be safe to drive smoothly when the oil level is below the low mark. Of course nobody should do this (I would never do it) but your car has been absolutely fine so far. Just top up a bit and you get rid of the warning.

thanks !! i can sleep now

So long as you do not have an engine oil leak ie oil leaking to your garage floor, I see no reason why you cannot drive the 20 or so miles to the dealer with your dip stick at the low mark .My 220CDI holds 6.5 litres & the difference between Max & Min is 2 litres giving an adequite safety margin. A red warning light should appear if the oil pressure is low. I would be asking the service manager if there is a problem & for it to be filled to the correct level at no $ charge.

The other option is for you to top up your sump level yourself with the correct oil .The correct oil info can be found by using the search function on this forum. Do not over fill.

I suggest that it is good practice to check all fluid levels under your bonnet/hood on a monthly basis.ie Sump oil level, coolant level, power steering level,brake fluid level , windscreen wash level & for any leaks & abnormalities. Also check your tyre pressures at the same time. It takes a short time & you will become more aware of your cars needs between services. Seeing that between services can now be 12 monthly or more it is now essential in my opinion. You never know you may come to enjoy this chore as I do.
Your old fogy mate from Australia, John

Your C350 does not use Mobil One...
I went to the dealership in Richmond and was advised that ours use Quaker State-- Hope you see this B4 purchasing the Mobil One...

thanks bondo... i'm actually taking it to the dealer right now... they said they would handle it.

That's probably only 1/2 to 1 quart low. I would not be too worried. If you let it get too low I am sure the dashboard would give you a red error message. We get a 3K mile free check up (or was it 1.5k?) anyway, they should have picked this up then. As far as I know all Mercedes products use Mobile 1. You should check under the hood. Mine has a big Mobile 1 sticker and says to use 0-40.
RickP

^ +1

Mobile 1. At least here in the US. You should have a sticker in the engine compartment and tells you what oil to use.

Glad to hear the dealer is going to take care of it for you. Let us know if they found a problem.

M1 is factory fill since at least 2001. If your dealer is using Quaker State, it had better be one of the other Mercedes tested synthetic oils of which there are many. The dealers not using M1 are buying cheaper oil and perhaps charging M1 prices.

Another reason could be that the oil sellers, if a long term contract is signed, will provide the entire oil system for the dealer which saves them a pile of money.

My dealer, the biggest in Seattle, uses M1 5W40.

Whats the difference? The car drives better by using the mobil?

OK GUYS.

Just got back from the dealer...

So there was an older gentleman waiting in line.. and we started talking and he said he had the EXACT same issue ! He's like watch they are probably going to say.. "it's just the break-in period, we'll top it up ... and you'll be all set".

That's exactly what they said. By the way, the car was never in any danger... at all. Like someone above said.. the alarm went off.. when it should have.. and the fact that it wasn't FLASHING RED ... or anything it was just a courtesy warning.

Finally, as for OIL ... they were pushing their own version of some thicker oil brand... and I was like ummmm... it's ok ... I'd like the MOBIL 1 0W-40 .... bought 3 one litre bottles ($45CAN) (they filled in 1 full litre for now no charge with a smile).

I must say, the car is driving much much better with MOBIL 1 0W-40. It's not psychological.. it's not placebo .. (although it could be .. now that i'm not stressed out) .. but this oil.. makes the engine sound a whole lot quieter.. that LAG people are talking about which i also experienced.. is GONE... it's smooth smoooth smoooooth !

I drove about 100km (50miles) today... on the highway.. after changing my oil... and it's all gooood ! No warning... no nothing.

Thanks everyone...

[ PS .. make sure you don't make the mistake and purchase "Mobil 1 10W-40" that's for motorcycles... ]

I'm probably old enough to be your father.

so... anyways.........

And you never added oil to any of your previous cars?

That is something anybody old enough to make the above comment should know.

C 350 Vancouver.

It is a good thing to ask questions. People who do not never learn

Going by the interest shown in your question (ie 219 views to date) others too embarrassed to ask have gained some knowledge also.

So keep asking them mate & enjoy that 350.

That is all sad and a little bit scary.

And I am 50 years old.

Woah chill guys. I thought this was a forum about asking questions and problem solving? I would have done the same thing if I was in the OP's case. Btw I don't think that's normal as I went the 20,000km without having to add any oil. Strange. Anyways, as for you, 2ton0fun, you did start it by sounding like a total d*ick, so chill out.

This is a community forum, there is never a stupid question. (Unless its' about a question that has already been asked many many times and people don't know how to use the search feature) I don't care how old someone is, nobody likes a dick head. If you don't have anything decent to say to help the fella than don't say anything at all. Act your age man.

I'm not going to comment on you not knowing how to check your own oil. That's been done.

You may be interested to know that MB introduced oil level lights in the '80s and have been having trouble with them ever since. The dealers know ALL about it.

Both of my 201s low oil lights would come on on left turns.

My 203 dash would light up red screaming, head for the MB workshop!!! Your crankcase is overfilled! About every other month. After one dealer check, I ignored it from then on.

My 204 has warned about overfilled one time only. I'm ignoring it.

Over fill warnings concern me because depending on the engine design coolant or fuel have been known to contaminate the sump. Thank goodness for the dip stick.