DIY C230K sedan oil change W203

[dey-bid]

Originally Posted by coin If you check your manual, it will show you what's the recommended oil to use. What does the manual say for a 04 c230? I remember the last time i checked it was 0w40 but when I called the dealer to make sure today, They said 0w40 are for amg's only and that I should use syn 5w30.

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[slammer111]

I bought my oil off the dealer, they just gave me a box of Quaker State European Engine Ultra 5W30.

[dey-bid]

Originally Posted by slammer111

I bought my oil off the dealer, they just gave me a box of Quaker State European Engine Ultra 5W30.

is there really a difference? I have to go out to buy oil in a couple of days

[JimPap]

Speeking of torque, does anyone have the torque setting for oil filter installation?

[wingless]

Originally Posted by dey-bid

What does the manual say for a 04 c230? I remember the last time i checked it was 0w40 but when I called the dealer to make sure today, They said 0w40 are for amg's only and that I should use syn 5w30.

Yes, the manual specifies acceptable multi-viscosity gradings, but of greater importance is the MB rating. According to Wolfgang's ML Page web site MY '04 vehicles require oils that meet MB 229.5 or MB 229.3 rating.

Mobil 1 5W-30 does not have acceptable ratings for your vehicle.

If checked, much of this would agree with the information within the glove box, plus the additional information since the manual was printed.

[JonathanMax]

wow. Excellent post! I almost like this one as much as the, "Poor Man's Lowering Springs: Sandbags!" thread.

[dey-bid]

Originally Posted by wingless

Yes, the manual specifies acceptable multi-viscosity gradings, but of greater importance is the MB rating. According to Wolfgang's ML Page web site MY '04 vehicles require oils that meet MB 229.5 or MB 229.3 rating.

Mobil 1 5W-30 does not have acceptable ratings for your vehicle.

If checked, much of this would agree with the information within the glove box, plus the additional information since the manual was printed.

hmmm.. well according to that link you provided...I guess mobil 1 euro formula 0w40 is fine for my 04 c230 right?

[casper_c230]

Topside does look a ton easier. I just finished doing it from the bottom as recommended by my buddy. He was saying b/c from the top, not all the oil is removed. I guess it could be negligible though.

Originally Posted by tommy

Like everything else on this car, you would have to remove a plastic shield to get to anything underneath the chassis. They're easy to remove.

I'm suprised no one has said this; you should really be torquing the fliter back to spec, so that you don't overtighten, like someone else did above. Yes, you'll need to buy a torque wrench, but you should have one anyway for your lugbolts.

I've been doing the topsider way for years now. I have no idea other than stubbornness why you'd go the old-fashioned way on these cars.

[wvadam]

Originally Posted by e1000

BTW - the 2006+ M272 cars do NOT display the oil level in the computer menu.

so how do you know the oil level then? did they actually give u guys a dip stick in that year?

[Boom vang]

Great post, very detailed and easy to follow.

Had difficulty removing the filter element from the holder, you really have to pull hard to separate it. Unfortunately that is the messiest part of the job

I used a Moeller extractor from West Marine in Toronto, looks identical as the pictured in the top of the thread except it is smaller 4.5L instead of 6.5L. The larger size sells at other marine stores for $105, I got the smaller one for $59, I'll save the extra $46 and do it in 2 steps thank you very much.

Canadian prices
Oil Extractor $59 West Marine
Oil Mobil 1 Euro formula $8.99/L Cdn Tire (dealer sells it for $10.70)
Socket $9.80 Cdn Tire
Filter $19.31 MB

all of the vertical extractors seem to have been made by the same company as they are identical except for the name on the box Moeler = Pela = Mity Vac

Sucking the oil out was the easiest oil change I've ever had to do, clean and no tell tale signs of drips etc, no matter how careful I was doing the drain method on all my other cars, you always get your had wet as soon as the drain is open. Not to mention the odd time dropping the plug into the pan.
I especially like the filter arrangement no climbing underneath and fighting with a filter clamp in an impossible to get to position (easy when you are in a pit but not in the backyard on your back, my Acura CL was a PAIN

[JE8]

I was told C240 has no dipstick....so oil drain must be from below....is that correct??

[JimPap]

Originally Posted by JE8

I was told C240 has no dipstick....so oil drain must be from below....is that correct??

The U.S. version of the C240 has a dipstick up top next to the firewall.

[Taiwanese]

My 2003 C230K has a dipstick tube but does not have a dipstick in it.

[JE8]

Tube but no dipstick...can you buy one???

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by JE8

Tube but no dipstick...can you buy one???

You can order one from your dealer.

I just use my dash to check oil level.

[JE8]

Hey Taiwanese....I keep getting oil overfill alert...although computer says oil level is good....do you think its from numerous oil changes were mech did not allow enough time for all oil to drain?? I've read that the oil level sensor is very accurate

I'm going to do oil change myself this time ...and try to drain 100%

Any ideas??

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by JE8

Hey Taiwanese....I keep getting oil overfill alert...although computer says oil level is good....do you think its from numerous oil changes were mech did not allow enough time for all oil to drain?? I've read that the oil level sensor is very accurate

I'm going to do oil change myself this time ...and try to drain 100%

Any ideas??

humm.......

I don't know.

But I think it's good that you do it yourself this time.

Make sure you give yourself some time to fully pump or drain out all the used oil. Put in exact amount of oil according to your manual.

Have fun.

[Boom vang]

Taiwanese:

I changed my oil yesterday and got out 5L, not knowing if there is a .5L left in the engine, I only put in 5L and wanted to see what the reading is. I checked on the screen and said that oil level was fine. However I had yet to start up the car and thinking that the level would go down as it would fill up the filter area.

Problem now is that I can't get a reading from the check oil level function, it says to wait and as I am waiting the screen changes to my trip odo and does not return to the oil level function, I waited well over 5min

What am I doing wrong to check the oil level?

Wish that they spent the extra $0.30 and put in a piece of metal for the dipstick, life would be so much easier

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by Boom vang

Taiwanese:

I changed my oil yesterday and got out 5L, not knowing if there is a .5L left in the engine, I only put in 5L and wanted to see what the reading is. I checked on the screen and said that oil level was fine. However I had yet to start up the car and thinking that the level would go down as it would fill up the filter area.

Problem now is that I can't get a reading from the check oil level function, it says to wait and as I am waiting the screen changes to my trip odo and does not return to the oil level function, I waited well over 5min

What am I doing wrong to check the oil level?

Wish that they spent the extra $0.30 and put in a piece of metal for the dipstick, life would be so much easier

start your engine for a few minutes (so oil filter chamber is pumped of oil)
shut off engine, remove key
wait 10 minutes
insert key
turn your key without starting engine
go to oil display

[Boom vang]

Originally Posted by Taiwanese

start your engine for a few minutes (so oil filter chamber is pumped of oil)
shut off engine, remove key
wait 10 minutes
insert key
turn your key without starting engine
go to oil display

Tried that but what I get is the message 'Observe waiting period' then it goes to the Odometer and never to return to the actual measuring

[wingless]

Originally Posted by Boom vang

Tried that but what I get is the message 'Observe waiting period' then it goes to the Odometer and never to return to the actual measuring

What happens when that process if followed "after" observing the waiting period?

[Boom vang]

Originally Posted by wingless

What happens when that process if followed "after" observing the waiting period?

nothing, stays on odometer, left it for 20min and still stayed on odometer, never did give me the reading

Everyone makes jokes about the electrics in a British car, beginning to think that the Germans are even worse

[Taiwanese]

Originally Posted by Boom vang

nothing, stays on odometer, left it for 20min and still stayed on odometer, never did give me the reading

Everyone makes jokes about the electrics in a British car, beginning to think that the Germans are even worse

did you try just removing the key

come back in 10+ minutes?

[ohlord]

#2 on mercedesshop.com diy section applies to most models.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/OilFilter2
For level in models without the dipstick
follow instructions in your manual.
http://www.analogstereo.com/mercedes...ers_manual.htm
oil quantity is in the specs section of the manual.
fleece filters from autohausaz.com and 0w40 mobil syn
ohlord
harborfreight tools has a topsider clone 2.5 gallon capacity for about 20 bucks.

[BF_JC230]

2005 M271 - "Down and Dirty" oil change - this is a GREAT time to inspect youtr chassis, paint rust, service the calipers and braking system, clear coat your hard lines...etc - Living in Buffalo has the perks!

Jake

(I made this DIY as simple as possible and did not use a lift, my custom jack pads, just normal tools...so anyone can do it!)