Oil change question.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 60
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2014 CLS550 4matic AND 2010 C300 4matic
Oil change question.
I did my first oil change on my 2014 CLS550. I pulled the dipstick out before I drained the old oil and it was barley registering on it. I figured the car burned some oil or they didn't put enough in. I have read that these cars with 4matic actually take 7.5 quarts even thought the manual says 8.5. SO, I started out by putting 7.5 quarts in and checked the dip stick, it didn't even register. I put another quart in and the oil was at the same mark as when I checked it with the old stuff in it. (barley registering) I put another 1/2 quart in and it is almost half way between the min and max mark on the dipstick now. Has anyone else did an oil change on the C218 and did it take a bit more than 9 quarts? I am wondering if I have too much in even though the dip stick says no but the manual/manufacturer says yes. With my luck, the wrong dipstick is in the car when I got it from the dealer 4 months ago. :-) Makes me also wonder if they even check the dipstick at the dealer or just dump in what the manual requests. Thanks for reading, Scott.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
So I did all my research and learned the 295.5 spec (which my Mobil 1 always has met, thank god). Used 0W40 on advice, and on reading that's what the dealers buy in bulk for all their changes. I had ordered filters off the web only to discover (after removing the cap and filter, then researching again) that the 2012 CLS550 used TWO types of filters, and I had, of course, ordered the wrong one. Went to my local O'Reilly's and they didn't stock the one I needed. No one did. So went to the MB dealer and they showed me both and I bought the right one. Weird that they changed out the entire filter type/housing gizmo in mid-year.
Also saw where dipstick was in the back driver's side, and looks like the transmission fluid stick, but isn't. This isn't where most pictures show it, but the fine print says it might be in the back. Also, when I bought the filters, it said it worked for "some" M278 motors. Sneaky *******s.
Yes, it took all 8.5 quarts. I used the suck-it-out-through-the-dipstick-holder method. Engine needs to be warmed up to allow the fluid to flow easily.
Also, this was my wife's car and I noticed it said "check engine oil at next fuel stop" or some such. Do you know what that means? It means if you change the oil right then, you will find out you are down 3 QUARTS!
I pulled 5.5 out and put 8.5 in. And yes, the dip stick was dry as a bone. 
It's a damn good thing these things have such huge oil capacity. The car only has 30K miles, and we've only owned it for 7K of those. I PRESUMED the MB dealer that sold it to us had changed the oil. Lesson learned.
Good luck.
Also saw where dipstick was in the back driver's side, and looks like the transmission fluid stick, but isn't. This isn't where most pictures show it, but the fine print says it might be in the back. Also, when I bought the filters, it said it worked for "some" M278 motors. Sneaky *******s.
Yes, it took all 8.5 quarts. I used the suck-it-out-through-the-dipstick-holder method. Engine needs to be warmed up to allow the fluid to flow easily.
Also, this was my wife's car and I noticed it said "check engine oil at next fuel stop" or some such. Do you know what that means? It means if you change the oil right then, you will find out you are down 3 QUARTS!
I pulled 5.5 out and put 8.5 in. And yes, the dip stick was dry as a bone. It's a damn good thing these things have such huge oil capacity. The car only has 30K miles, and we've only owned it for 7K of those. I PRESUMED the MB dealer that sold it to us had changed the oil. Lesson learned.
Good luck.
Last edited by JHouse; Oct 31, 2016 at 05:51 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Also, this was my wife's car and I noticed it said "check engine oil at next fuel stop" or some such. Do you know what that means? It means if you change the oil right then, you will find out you are down 3 QUARTS!
I pulled 5.5 out and put 8.5 in. And yes, the dip stick was dry as a bone. It's a damn good thing these things have such huge oil capacity. The car only has 30K miles, and we've only owned it for 7K of those. I PRESUMED the MB dealer that sold it to us had changed the oil. Lesson learned.
Good luck.
You tend to forget that German cars consume oil, moreover turbocharged. I got the same light pretty much right before my oil change, and it took less than a quart to bring it to half mark on the dipstick. What the issue might be is that the oil volume the dealer added brings it to the middle level, which might not be enough for the entire 10k miles or so. Of course it depends on the driving style, but was at first to me to see "check oil level" in the morning before going to work
Regards
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 10
Just to add that the "upgrade" filter for the normal canister style (2781800009) is part number 1761800800. This is the part number that is used in the AMG GT and AMG cars and I think it is synthetic media vs paper media.
FCP Euro has them for a great price. I run 5w40 Amsoil but I will be switching to Valvoline 5w40 Euro 229.5 at the next oil change.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-1761800800
FCP Euro has them for a great price. I run 5w40 Amsoil but I will be switching to Valvoline 5w40 Euro 229.5 at the next oil change.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-1761800800
