Hello, new here. Just purchased a month ago. Dash is telling me to check oil levels at next fueling. I find this frustrating as I had the car pre inspected. I will be checking my oil levels today and now have to find a reputable oil change specialist in the Inglewood/Los Angeles area. Any advice? Suggestions? after reading other forums thinking of purchasing the mobile 1 tri synthetic oil and having them do the labor
CLK 350 2008
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You're being told that oil level is low. Not that you have reached an oil change milestone. Maybe add some synthetic oil and let computer re-calculate?
Forums give great advice. Some 'analog' owners recommend getting a physical dip stick to check oil level. It does not come standard with the car but is easily retrofitted.
Forums give great advice. Some 'analog' owners recommend getting a physical dip stick to check oil level. It does not come standard with the car but is easily retrofitted.
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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Add a pint of Mobil1 fully synthetic and see if the warning goes away. If it doesn't, add another. A little too much oil isn't going to do any harm and it's far less harmful than too little oil.
From experience with the wife's 350 the difference between the full 8.0 liters (8.7 quarts) and the warning coming up is about a quart.
When it's time for an oil change (every 10,000 miles), just go to your local oil change place and have them change the oil and filter together, using Mobil1 fully synthetic engine oil. If you like you can order kosher MB oil filters (part no. 0001802609) and take them along. Whatever you do, make sure they replace all the O-rings that come with the filter. Otherwise you'll get a leak round the top of the filter housing.
0W30, 0W40,5W30 or 5W40 are all fine for typical southern US temperatures, but if in doubt ask your local MB stealership what they recommend. I use Mobil1 "High Mileage" 5W30 in all three of our Mercs. The "high Mileage" bit might be snake oil, but all our Mercs are high mileage, so I use it.
From experience with the wife's 350 the difference between the full 8.0 liters (8.7 quarts) and the warning coming up is about a quart.
When it's time for an oil change (every 10,000 miles), just go to your local oil change place and have them change the oil and filter together, using Mobil1 fully synthetic engine oil. If you like you can order kosher MB oil filters (part no. 0001802609) and take them along. Whatever you do, make sure they replace all the O-rings that come with the filter. Otherwise you'll get a leak round the top of the filter housing.
0W30, 0W40,5W30 or 5W40 are all fine for typical southern US temperatures, but if in doubt ask your local MB stealership what they recommend. I use Mobil1 "High Mileage" 5W30 in all three of our Mercs. The "high Mileage" bit might be snake oil, but all our Mercs are high mileage, so I use it.
CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
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Don't add oil without checking the level. It's possible it's low, but it's also possible that the oil level sensor is defective and giving you an erroneous warning.
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
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Like you said, the M272 engine (CLK350) has a dipstick, as does the M273 (CLK550). For the older M112/M113 engines, you have to buy one. It is considered a "shop tool" and is not designed to be left in the engine when running. Part number is 120589072100.
If you must have genuine MBZ:
Measuring Stick - Mercedes-Benz (120-589-07-21-00) | OEMMercedes
Or, if you are a sane person:
http://a.co/d5UGedr
If you must have genuine MBZ:
Measuring Stick - Mercedes-Benz (120-589-07-21-00) | OEMMercedes
Or, if you are a sane person:
http://a.co/d5UGedr
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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Dipstick is the little yellow thing shown in the picture. Rear of engine on passenger side.
Word to the wise:
DONT do as my stepson does and assume there's enough oil in the sump by pulling out the dipstick right after stopping the engine. Cost his mom a new Jeep engine did that one!
1. Stop engine and open hood.
2. Allow to sit, thus allowing oil to drain back to the sump, while you fetch some kitchen roll.
3. Withdraw dipstick and wipe clean with kitchen roll.
4. Reinsert dipstick until the yellow head JUST touches the top of the tube then withdraw.
5. Check oil is showing between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 to double or triple check.
7. Add oil slowly.
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 until the oil level is close to the maximum mark.
9. Fully reinsert dipstick. You will feel more resistance as you push it in the last half inch or so. This is normal.
10. Make sure you have replaced and tightened the oil filler cap. Otherwise you risk an engine bay fire. Wipe down any spilt oil with kitchen roll.
11. Close hood and drive.
12. Check regularly. If you're using more than, say, a quart every 5 to 10 thousand miles you either have an oil leak or a clapped out engine.
Since this is a newly bought car, I would check it weekly until you're satisfied the engine is okay, however.
Word to the wise:
DONT do as my stepson does and assume there's enough oil in the sump by pulling out the dipstick right after stopping the engine. Cost his mom a new Jeep engine did that one!
1. Stop engine and open hood.
2. Allow to sit, thus allowing oil to drain back to the sump, while you fetch some kitchen roll.
3. Withdraw dipstick and wipe clean with kitchen roll.
4. Reinsert dipstick until the yellow head JUST touches the top of the tube then withdraw.
5. Check oil is showing between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 to double or triple check.
7. Add oil slowly.
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 until the oil level is close to the maximum mark.
9. Fully reinsert dipstick. You will feel more resistance as you push it in the last half inch or so. This is normal.
10. Make sure you have replaced and tightened the oil filler cap. Otherwise you risk an engine bay fire. Wipe down any spilt oil with kitchen roll.
11. Close hood and drive.
12. Check regularly. If you're using more than, say, a quart every 5 to 10 thousand miles you either have an oil leak or a clapped out engine.
Since this is a newly bought car, I would check it weekly until you're satisfied the engine is okay, however.
Attachments
Thanks everyone. Yes the car has a yellow dipstick and on the end of the disc stick its red and it was very low and dark. I went ahead and paid a certified shop $100 for the complete oil change and got the Mobil 1 Tri synthetic oil. My husband takes his S500 to the same guys for a number of years. The oil was low and dirty but all is well now.
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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Yes it does AFAIK. Indeed, each of our three Mercs has a sticker under the hood saying something like "Mercedes recommends Mobil1". Still, if you want to buy kosher Mercedes air for your tires be my guest....
CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
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Just look in the bottle - it will list being 229.5 spec if it is. One that does and is a good value is the 0w40 Mobil 1 European Formula at Walmart for $23 per 5-quart jug:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=551650778
I also get all the ads from Auto Zone, Advance, and O'Reilly and every so often find them running a sale that is cheaper.
Here is a full list of MBZ-approved oils for the extended change schedule:
MB 229.5 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.5) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
If you do a shorter-interval change, say every 6K miles or less, you can use these:
MB 229.3 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.3) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=551650778
I also get all the ads from Auto Zone, Advance, and O'Reilly and every so often find them running a sale that is cheaper.
Here is a full list of MBZ-approved oils for the extended change schedule:
MB 229.5 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.5) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
If you do a shorter-interval change, say every 6K miles or less, you can use these:
MB 229.3 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.3) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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Mobil1 0W30, OW4O, and 5W30 are all, indeed, listed under 229.5. See:
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
When I had the oil changed on my AMG CLK63 at the local MB stealership they too used Mobil1.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
When I had the oil changed on my AMG CLK63 at the local MB stealership they too used Mobil1.
CURRENT: 2011 SL550 FORMER: C300, ML350, CLK550 Cabriolet, C240, ML320, 300TD
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Here is an "interesting" thread about oil:
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w209/224174-oil-change-question.html
The audi guy seems to know a lot, but he comes across as a real jerk. I am sure there is no "magic" in MBZ's approved oils and that there are probably many others that will work just fine, maybe even better, but I prefer to take the easy route. Mobil 1 0w40 is relatively inexpensive and very convenient to purchase. It's approved for the extended service interval, so I change it, along with a new "fleece" filter, once a year (my time comes before miles).
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class-w209/224174-oil-change-question.html
The audi guy seems to know a lot, but he comes across as a real jerk. I am sure there is no "magic" in MBZ's approved oils and that there are probably many others that will work just fine, maybe even better, but I prefer to take the easy route. Mobil 1 0w40 is relatively inexpensive and very convenient to purchase. It's approved for the extended service interval, so I change it, along with a new "fleece" filter, once a year (my time comes before miles).
2008 AMG CLK63 Conv., 2012 R350 4-Matic, Wife's 2015 C300 sedan
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+1 on the above. MB does not make its own engine oil any more than it uses magic air for its tires or, indeed, unicorn pee for antifreeze. (When the 350 got wrecked a few years back our then insurer tried to tell me the cost of the " special" MB antifreeze was a contributory factor in them trying to total the car - and grab it for parts at a 200% profit no doubt.)
FWIW the gas at your local Shell (or other major brand) gas station doesn't necessarily come from Shell either. Case in point all the gas sold in Scotland comes from the Grangemouth refinery, formerly run by BP and now by Petroinious (whoever they are).
And remember: ANY oil is better than NO oil.
FWIW the gas at your local Shell (or other major brand) gas station doesn't necessarily come from Shell either. Case in point all the gas sold in Scotland comes from the Grangemouth refinery, formerly run by BP and now by Petroinious (whoever they are).
And remember: ANY oil is better than NO oil.
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