Jun 15, 2015, 04:11 PM
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Oil consumption
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Oil consumption
I meant to ask this before but can't find that I did...
Is it true that the W204 C-class engine is "allowed" (considered normal) to burn through 16 quarts of oil between oil changes? If that's true, the engine will seize before making it half way to an oil change unless you're adding oil every other week.
The owner's manual claims .9 quarts of oil per 600 miles is acceptable. I can't imagine the average MB driver thinks that they should be checking their oil every few weeks for fear that it'll run out of oil. Is anyone actually experiencing anything like this? Does German engineering not understand oil rings?
So how much oil (if any) are people needing to add between oil changes?
Is it true that the W204 C-class engine is "allowed" (considered normal) to burn through 16 quarts of oil between oil changes? If that's true, the engine will seize before making it half way to an oil change unless you're adding oil every other week.
The owner's manual claims .9 quarts of oil per 600 miles is acceptable. I can't imagine the average MB driver thinks that they should be checking their oil every few weeks for fear that it'll run out of oil. Is anyone actually experiencing anything like this? Does German engineering not understand oil rings?
So how much oil (if any) are people needing to add between oil changes?
Last edited by 2012c350; Jun 4, 2012 at 09:23 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 28
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Haven't had to add a drop in 32K and my level stays rock solid after each change.
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Haven't had to add a drop in 32K and my level stays rock solid after each change.
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
97 S600 coupe/gf 16 C300 Lux. Former: 08 GL450, 83 300D, 97 C230, 08 c300 luxury, 92 500SL, 93 400E
Haven't had to add a drop in 32K and my level stays rock solid after each change.
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
The .9 quart per 600 miles is worst case scenario which very few cars would ever reach without real problems. Are you burning oil now?
For comparison, I do have to add about a quart of oil for every 2000-2500 miles on the A4. I am sure the turbo helps push a bit past the rings...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
I was hoping that it was just a CYA situation (still pathetic for them to try that angle.) But I'm glad to hear from the 2 responses thus far that it's not indeed normal. Hopefully this German car is at least as good as the American ones that I've owned for decades. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
That seems excessive...
In 2,700 miles mine seems to have used just a tiny bit - I am going to add 1/2 quart to it this week. I plan on changing the oil at 3,000 miles though - but my driving is going to be slowed down a bit for the next few weeks so those last 300 are going to take a while to come.
In 2,700 miles mine seems to have used just a tiny bit - I am going to add 1/2 quart to it this week. I plan on changing the oil at 3,000 miles though - but my driving is going to be slowed down a bit for the next few weeks so those last 300 are going to take a while to come.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
I meant to ask this before but can't find that I did...
Is it true that the W204 C-class engine is "allowed" (considered normal) to burn through 16 gallons of oil between oil changes? If that's true, the engine will seize before making it half way to an oil change unless you're adding oil every other week.
The owner's manual claims .9 quarts of oil per 600 miles is acceptable. I can't imagine the average MB driver thinks that they should be checking their oil every few weeks for fear that it'll run out of oil. Is anyone actually experiencing anything like this? Does German engineering not understand oil rings?
So how much oil (if any) are people needing to add between oil changes?
Is it true that the W204 C-class engine is "allowed" (considered normal) to burn through 16 gallons of oil between oil changes? If that's true, the engine will seize before making it half way to an oil change unless you're adding oil every other week.
The owner's manual claims .9 quarts of oil per 600 miles is acceptable. I can't imagine the average MB driver thinks that they should be checking their oil every few weeks for fear that it'll run out of oil. Is anyone actually experiencing anything like this? Does German engineering not understand oil rings?
So how much oil (if any) are people needing to add between oil changes?
Ignore it. These engines just don't use oil. And if they did you would get a warning on the panel.
Yes, I have been an MB owner longer than even that.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
+1^ . These engines use no oil. Might be some slight use until run in.
When the M272 V6 engines use oil it's usually the cam blanker plugs on the back of the heads leaking.
As RLE says - you will get a low oil warning if ever needed.
When the M272 V6 engines use oil it's usually the cam blanker plugs on the back of the heads leaking.
As RLE says - you will get a low oil warning if ever needed.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
My 2.2 L diesel uses a little.The level falls from full to half on the dipstick over 10,000 km. I notice a little breathing from the tappet cover takes place.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
DIESEL ENGINE - runs on oil in some speak!
OM--- = Oel Motor in Benz speak.
OM--- = Oel Motor in Benz speak.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Jun 6, 2012 at 10:45 AM. Reason: sp
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, PA
2020 C363 S / 2007 SLK55 / 2016 F150 4x4 / 1998 Cobra Convertible
Thanks again for the reassurance all! Sounds like it's a non-issue after all. Being that this is my first MB I just wanted to be sure.
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
My neighbor has the new SL250 with the latest DI 1.8T. He claims it is burning some and has to top it off every 2 to 3 tankfuls. I told him that that's normal during break-in and to see what happens after break-in. I'll keep you posted. My sons 2.0T eats a half quart every 10k miles.
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
@MBRedux There! I just gave you a "like". I thought it sad that you had only 8 likes in almost 13 years. Now you have 9.
