Regular oil changes are essential for the engine to run smoothly.
Oil selection
Mercedes recommends the following oils for its diesel engines:
1. CCMC-D4, CCMC-D5 and CCMC-PD2. API CE or CF-4 API grades are used only if CCMC grades are not available. It doesn't matter if you filled in the oil at the station or bought it, one of the recommended brands of oil should be on the package.
Viscosity. A measure of the expiration of the lubricating properties of an oil. In winter, engine oil should be thin enough to lubricate all the necessary components immediately after a cold start. In summer, on the contrary, a thick oil is required so that the integrity of the lubricant film is not violated at high temperatures.
SAE class (Society of Automotive Engineers). Indicates viscosity grade, such as SAE 15W-40. The lower the first number, the less viscous the oil in the cold («W» - winter). 0W oil is lubricating at -30°C, 5W at -25°C, and 15W at -15°C. The higher the second number, the better the oil resists high temperatures.
ACEA (Associacion des Constructeurs Europeen d’Automobiles). Introduced in 1996, the European oil standard. Replaces the SSMS norm. For gasoline engines, there are grades A1 (oil with a small amount of purified alcohol), A2 (oil with few additives), A3 (high performance oil). For diesel engines, there are grades B1, B2 and B3.
SSMS (Comittee des Constructeurs d’Automoboles du Marche Commun). Specification includes letters «G» (gasoline engines) And «PD» (diesel engines), as well as a number. The higher this number, the better the quality of the oil.
API (American Petroleum Institute). The specification consists of letters «S» (gasoline engines), «WITH» (diesel engines) and others. The farther the letter is from the beginning of the alphabet, the higher the quality of the oil.
2. Labeled oils CCMS-G4/ G5 or API SG designed for petrol engines and therefore cannot be used for Mercedes diesel engines. But if the package is double marked, for example CCMS-G4/ PD2, this oil is suitable for both types of engines.
Pic. 4.32. Oil operating range scale
In the European region, with a wide range of winter and summer temperatures, 15W-40 viscosity grade oil can be used throughout the year (pic. 4.32) or 10W-40. Only at very low or high temperatures that persist for a long time should an oil of a different viscosity be used.
Crankcase ventilation
Serviceable engines drive through the piston rings into the engine crankcase from 50 to 70 liters of exhaust gases per minute. These gases must be expelled from the engine so as not to stress the seals. This is done by crankcase ventilation.
Oil consumption
Part of the oil burns out when the pistons are lubricated. A well-tuned engine consumes approximately 0.2 liters per 1000 km, Mercedes has a maximum allowable oil consumption of 1.5 liters per 1000 km.
High oil consumption
Pay attention to the following circumstances:
1. Before you control the oil consumption, you need to make sure that it does not leak from the engine (visual inspection of the motor).
2. If the oil level is above the maximum mark on the dipstick, then the oil consumption will always be greater, since its excess is removed through the ventilation system.
3. Multipurpose oil requires constant checking.
4. A sharp driving style increases not only fuel consumption, but also oil consumption, especially when driving at high speeds.
5. Oil consumption is always higher when breaking in a new car (minimum - 5000 km).
6. The engine may be defective.