SLK_Roy

I currently have 14000 miles on my SLK350 6 speed. I drive spirted most of the time. My question is, what is considered "normal" consumption rate for oil. I have added 7 quarts outside of a scheduled oil change. 7 quarts in 14000 miles seems excessive to me, but my dealship says that is normal. Unless I am using a quart every 600 miles, they refuse to do anything. Any suggestions or advice?

Duo-Art

I used 1 quart the first 1,200 miles and almost none the next 8,800 miles. Your consumption rate seems excessive to me.

wheld280

I have had to add only one quart in the first 19,000 miles. This is in additional to "normal" oil change maintenance.

Who is your dealership? Just how "spirited" is your driving?

lucky6600

I have checked my oil level regularly. I have not added any so far for 6K miles. We are most likely spirtly the same.
which dealership do you go?

SLK_Roy

My driving is mostly highway speeds, some bursts over the speed limit. I do not abuse the machine. It is never used for short trips, any time it is started, it runs for at least 30 minutes. Many drives are over 100 miles. I just got my vehicle back from the dealership. They measured and weighed my oil, (just in case you are wondering, I have 14.95 pounds of oil in my car) Now we play the waiting game and see how long before I am down a quart. Then they will plug into some magic formula to see if my consumption is "normal". I will keep you posted.

lucky6600

So looks like they are doing the stress test on your car now. Well, you know what stress mean, right?
Remember what they told you last time? You didn't drive hard enough.
What's your VIN number?

wheld280

SLK_Roy - I'm curious to know who your dealership is.

Based upon what you have written so far, I would not have a lot of confidence in them.

"Unless I am using a quart every 600 miles, they refuse to do anything." That sounds like BS to me.

lucky6600

The one in Hartford is pretty good. When I just had my car, I went in and told them that there is viberation when I was breaking. They end of switch my front disk for me.
ya, which dealer did you go?

wheld280

I'm glad to hear that you have had luck with the Hartford MB dealer. You are one of the few MB owners that I have talked to that hasn't had a problem with them.

I live in Ellington and I'm 20 miles from Hartford. However I WILL NOT go to them. I rather drive 60 miles to New London and go to Carriage House MB.

Some day I'm sure we will meet and I can tell you the dozens (perhaps even hundreds) of horror stories about Hartford that MB owners have told me about them. I am active in the local chapter of the MB club and I get a chance to talk to many many MB owners.

lucky6600

There is a local chapter of MB club?

I am always up for a ride or local meet.

wheld280

Yes, there is a Connecticut/Westchester chapter of the Mercedes Benz Clob of America. Check out the club info @ http://mbca.org/

If you join they will put you into your local section (via your zip code).

The cost is $45/year. If you are interested and want a sample copy of the beautiful magazine and local newsletter, pm me with your address.

BTW, our section just has our fall foliage rallye yesterday. We had thirty-five cars participate and had a great time. Next month were are having a tour and a fantasic dinner at the C.I.A. in Poughkeepsie, NY.

gv96m3

SLK_Roy, what was the outcome of your oil issue? Did you get everything straighten out with the dealership? Hope all went well.

SLK_Roy

With the end of summer, I have not been able to put enough miles on to set off the sensor. So only time will tell. I have only been about 1300 miles since start of the test

-1-

What's the history of your vehicle? Did you purchase new or used? I assume new. Wasn't this an ongoing issue since the car was new? With a 2005, your four year warranty will end soon. Excessive oil consumption was an issue on early 2005 SLK 350s, it appears you're a victim if your car was built prior to mid February 2006. Regardless seven quarts in 14,000 miles is too much regardless how hard you drive your car. There's extensive information on all the MB forums regarding this issue. Review and know the facts. Hold your dealer accountable. Good luck.

AG1

SLK Roy,
I have a 2005 SLK 350 manual. I have been adding oil every 3 months to the engine since it had 14k. The "Check oil lever when next refueling" prompt come up that often regardless of how much I drive it. Two dealerships in the DC area have told me that this is normal. I am not sure what to think. But it seems to be in line with that they also told you.

BTW, can someone tell me which is the best oil for this engine?

Thank you,

Duo-Art

AG1, welcome. The oil recommended by Mercedes Benz in the USA is Mobil 1 0w40 European formula. I used one quart in 2005 when my car was new and I haven't had to add oil between oil changes since then. I am a low milage driver but it appears that my 2005 SLK350 doesn't use any oil.

SLK_Roy

I have now put on over 3000 miles since the engine repair was completed. New pistons, rings, valve and valve seals. It seems to have done the trick. The oil level has not dropped at all. Under the old engine, I would have been down 2 quarts by now. There are a series of engines that seem to exhibit issues, I don't have that engine range at my fingertip. There is a Tech Writeup that discusses what engines and what the action the dealership should take. It took me a long time to get satisfation, but I eventually got there. Based on the fact you have a 2005, you better start getting action before your warrenty runs out. As a side note, my engine number (272963 30 028188) is in the range that should have been addressed. You say you add oil every 3 months, not sure how far you are driving. When I started complaing about the issue, I was using over half a quart every 1000 miles.

Check this thread for other discussion. PM me if you would like additional details.

http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-gen...nsumption.html