Going to attempt my first DIY oil change..question...

[GDawgC220]

Hey all,

going to attempt my first DIY oil change soon. Going to go buy Rhino Ramps today at Sears so I can get underneath.

I did a search on this and it seems like the oil filter tool is available at Autozone, yes?

How much oil should I put back in the car? I think the manual said 6.9 Quarts for the 4cyl? I don't want to over fill the engine...should I put in 5 quarts then check the oil level? Would that be too little to lubricate the engine before adding more, if it is too little?

Thanks guys!

[marksbenz]

they sell a tool at Autozone or Pepboys to remove your oil filter cap. Make sure you change the gasket on the oil filter cap it a black ring gasket. make sure youre using MB or Mann filter. As for 5 quarts thats to little. Start with 6 quarts and make sure youre on a flat level surface. After you put the 6 quarts run your engine for 5 mins. Stop engine and check dip stick. Hope this helps....

[GDawgC220]

Originally posted by marksbenz
they sell a tool at Autozone or Pepboys to remove your oil filter cap. Make sure you change the gasket on the oil filter cap it a black ring gasket. make sure youre using MB or Mann filter. As for 5 quarts thats to little. Start with 6 quarts and make sure youre on a flat level surface. After you put the 6 quarts run your engine for 5 mins. Stop engine and check dip stick. Hope this helps....

Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that 4 cyl's take little oil and thought 5 qt's would be plenty to start...but I'll put in 6 to start. Are MB's different? Do they have a bigger oil pan/sump?

[joeyskates]

Wow does the 4-cyl really take all that oil? I have a 6 and it takes 7 so I would have figured maybe 4 or 5 for the 4. Lol I just realized, thats a lot of numbers in one post :p

[714guy]

http://jcomotorsports.com/diys/oil_change.htm

look at my tutorial and see if it helps, its for a c280, so the location of the oil filter might be different.

As for 6.9 quarts is that what the manual said then thats what it needs, i think MB and a larger oil pan that why it takes so much oil.

Good luck, it should be a breeze.

[martattack]

Originally posted by joeyskates
Wow does the 4-cyl really take all that oil? I have a 6 and it takes 7 so I would have figured maybe 4 or 5 for the 4. Lol I just realized, thats a lot of numbers in one post :p

Your 6cyl only takes 7 qts? I have the inline-six and I'm pretty sure it takes almost 8 quarts.

[benzaddict]

Careful, the C220/C230 4cyl only takes 5.5-6.0 quarts of oil, the C280 takes 7.5-8.0 quarts. Your manual must be incorrect. If you put in 6 quarts you will likely be overfilled. Start with 5 quarts and you will be just fine. The oil filter is in the front of the engine just on the driver's side of the cylinder head, not in the back like a C280.

[GDawgC220]

Originally posted by benzaddict
Careful, the C220/C230 4cyl only takes 5.5-6.0 quarts of oil, the C280 takes 7.5-8.0 quarts. Your manual must be incorrect. If you put in 6 quarts you will likely be overfilled. Start with 5 quarts and you will be just fine. The oil filter is in the front of the engine just on the driver's side of the cylinder head, not in the back like a C280.

Thanks for the info :)

[CKlasse]

A 4 banger benz takes 6.5 to 6.9 QRT. Follow your manual! :rolleyes:

[ricerokets4life]

c280 with the v6 takes 8-9 quarts last i heard

[Dr.Drew]

1997 C280 takes Exactly what the manual says look at it you would be suprised whats in there

7.1 Liters of oil.

[1998K]

for your info, yesterday I changed the oil. 5.8 liters is stated in the manual (i.e. Haynes) but, also changing the oil filter and making a few turn of the engine to discharge further old oil I could not fill more than 5.3 liters.

Mine is a 1998cc kompressor.

FYI:)

[joeyskates]

No way, 8-9 quarts is too much! You ever notice that the dipstick has an over fill mark?! If you pass this the oil level will touch the crank and the crank will start throwing the oil around not only robbing power but foaming the oil. 7 quarts is definitely the right amount, I was just curious about the 4 cyl and how much oil it took. Actually now that I think about it, its no surprise that the 4 cyl has just as much oil if not more than the 6 since smaller engines tend to rev higher and run hotter. Doesn't anyone remember the old Castrol oil commericals? Lol thermal breakdown and all that?! :p

[Ashkan's C280]

mine says 7.4 for a 1997 c280

[RemoLexi]

no ramps for oil changes. car has to be flat

be careful with the filter tool - the cap is plastic and doesnt like to be stripped!

[OzC36]

Why do some of us try to make life so difficult?

Just refill it until the oil level is between the lower and the upper marks on the dipstick! Run the engine for and then recheck level.

You don't need a doctorate!

And FFS, as you pointed out, don't over-fill it.

[RemoLexi]

oil expands after heat is applied! ;)

[timmyj51]

The owners manual is misleading regarding proper oil amounts.
The higher amount (6 quarts +) is for the initial fill, like an initial
transmission fill. You'll only need 5 or 5.5 quarts when changing
the oil for a 4 cyl. Found that out the hard way when I put six quarts in
my C220, looked at the dipstick, and found the oil level was way up
onto the plastic sleeve.

[black96benz]

My 96 c220 wont take more than 5.5 quarts. 11 quarts lasts two oil changes. dont overfill.

[DirectLA]

Not to add too much confusion to an already confusing thread, but bear in mind some posts are referring to litres (European members) and others in quarts (US).