benzcl500

My car burns oil...a lot I have to add a quart every month.

I guess MB uses synthetic, but its hard to find. can i just dump in a quart of regular oil? What kind would that be?

the car has 66K miles and is going back in early feb...so long term issues are not a concern for me at this point :v

pointman

technicially you can... since you do not care about long term longevity. but i am assuming your car has been running on synthetics this whole time? if so, it is highly not recommended. can lead to sludge, pings, and power loss, and many motor issues. where are you located that it is hard to get a hold of synthetic oil? what year is your ml?

LVDell

ahopeter is correct on this one but why in the world is the ML burning so much oil is the question that needs to be asked. Have you taken it in do get a answer to that?

FYI....treating the car like crap and not being concerned about long term reliability is really a sleazy thing. And if it is a lease they can charge you for any damage you caused by not using the reccommended oil, etc., and not maintaining it with due dilligence.

pointman

thanks for the confirmation. anyway, the earlier ml's are notorious for burning excessive amounts of oil. some complain continuously to the dealer and get rebuilds done.

WienerWater

Here is a couple of Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) on that year, seems to be a few oil issues to deal with that are known:

# P-18_00-20 DEC 03 Engine - Oil Sludging Damage/Class Action Settlement
# T-18_00-21 DEC 03 Engine - Oil Sludging/Consumption Diagnosis & Repair
# S-01_30-15 FEB 04 Engine - Cylinder Wall Damage Assesment
# T-18_00-19 JUL 02 Engine - Approved Engine Oil
# P-18_00-17A JUL 02 Engine - Approved Engine Oils
# S-00_40-071 FEB 01 Synthetic Oil Recommendations - For FFS Vehicles
115. DD01-82042 APR 82 External Oil Leaks

benzcl500

It's a 2000

I honestly don't know whether or not its been using synthetics...but it probably is, if thats what MB recommends.

I don't care about the car and honestly can't wait till it goes back.

Anyway, what type of oil should I fill it with? The oil light is not constantly on, but after a while it will be low enough so that the light is always on

pointman

looks like you have your answer. oil, doesnt matter what you use then.

benzcl500

MY question is though, will there be any short term issues? like between now and February?

LVDell

other than the ethical issues as to the 'lack of concern for long term effect'? then the short answer is no. You could probably use pancake syrup at this point and still make it to Feb.

My advice....try to be consistent with the oil until then (keep it topped off, use the same weight, etc.) and you will be fine.

Audi Junkie

Euro A3 specs which MB specs are based on are 10x longer tests than API American dino oil. Any 15w-40 will work well in warm climate. I use Mobil Delvac 1300S 15w-40, $1.75/q. In coler conditioins, a newer API SM or GF-4 5w-30 oil is HC "synthetic". If you must, Motorcraft, Mobil Drive Clean, Havoline, Pennzoil.

Barry45RPM

If the synthetic oil is "hard to find" why not buy it on line by the case (6 qts).

benzboy

Don't switch from synthetic to conventional. No, No, No!