Oil consumption

[shadowfax2k]

Hi everyone.

Are E320 CDI engines meant to use oil, had mine serviced about 5k ago, now needs an oil top up, no oil leaks or anything, has done 90k ?

Cheers

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi,
Depends on type of use. If you do a lot of high speed motorway I would expect some oil usage. If the oil warning light has come on it may need a litre but I don't think 1L in 5K is bad.

If you're not sure how much was added at the last service, it may not have used as much as you think.

Be very careful about how much oil you add as the overfill light is sensitive to about 0.25 litres, and will keep coming on until the oil level is reduced.

The manufacturer's spec states excessive usage as being 1L in under 1K so you're well outside that.

 

[television]

As Malcolm 210 but do be careful as the indicators can be wrong and give misleading answers.

Just try it a bit at a time and allow it to run down

 

[shadowfax2k]

Ok cheers guys !! My car is 2001 model but has had a replacement engine fitted in 2005, so the current engine has done around 30k, was fitted under warranty by the previous owner at a cost of £8500 !!!

I do alot of high speed motorway work, so i guess it will use some oil.

What oil is best, fully synthetic or semi-synthetic ??

Cheers martin

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Martin,
Re oil type: depends on your point of view and mileage per annum. My personal opinion is that as I do around 8-9K a year semi-synth is adequate. I would hate to throw fully synth oil away at that mileage as it should be good for twice that. However, if I did a lot of motorway work I would go for the fully synth.

The oil debate always amuses me in so far that on average our cars have a lifespan of 150-200K if serviced properly, and I would wager that if you kept to the manufacturer's service intervals there would be little difference in the engine wear between good quality semi of full synth oils. In my opinion all oils that meet MB specs are very good nowadays.

Only my personal opinion of course and I'm sure this could open up into quite a debate.

Hope this helps

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Fully synthetic Mobil 1 IMO. Look in your user manual for the oil specs, check that whatever you buy meets those specs - on the back of the bottle it will be printed somewhere.

Costco is cheapest for Mobil 1, £20 + vat for 4 litres.

You'll easily manage 15,000 mile intervals with that. Anything less I wouldn't dare to.

 

[Daeths]

Halfords were doing fully synth deal 2-4-1 about £30 (so thats for 10 litres in total. The oil met the MB (229.3 FROM MEMORY !!) stds

 

[shadowfax2k]

Cheers guys, looking at the last service receipt they used Mobil 1 fully synth, so i guess i may as well carry on witht that

Cheers for the thoughts
martin

 

[FIBAMAN]

When my cars were serviced by the dealer I always checked afterwards with the dipstick. Invariably the level was below the mark. They always charged for the required amount and insisted that the required amount was used. Therefore if you possibly were in the same situation you may appear to have used more than you actually have.

 

[shadowfax2k]

Good point Fibaman !! I didn't check the level after it was serviced, so maybe you are right, i will keep my eye on it from now on !!

Cheers Martin

 

[television]

I had though earlier that the car may have not been filled correctly at the last service, they will or should not use much at 30k


MB are now using a Shell oil, I can put up the numbers in the morning

 

[Marvinstockman]

You've got two liters between high and low. A two liters every 5000 miles isn't too bad. I'd be concerned if oil usage changes suddenly. You probably have bigger things to worry about.