W203 Needing more oil

[merc180k]

Can anyone advise how ofter I should need to add some more oil to top up the 180k petrol engine? No oil leaks that I can see but the car wants another litre.

Wifes car hasn't needed oil since June service - though it is only a 1.25 petrol engine.

Thanks

Simon

 

[television]

Just asking, is it the engine management system asking for this,, do you have a dip stick

 

[merc180k]

Just asking, is it the engine management system asking for this,, do you have a dip stick

Washed the car today and got the automatic sensor to check oil. Result was "Add 1 litre to oil" shown on dash.

No manual dipstick.

 

[Nibbo]

My 180 has never needed oil between services.

 

[television]

The engine is supposed to be up to the correct temp 80c and be switched off 5 mins before you check

 

[Deleted member 2227]

This is normal for our cars the kompressor has no lubrication of its own and uses up engine oil.

 

[merc180k]

The engine is supposed to be up to the correct temp 80c and be switched off 5 mins before you check

Ahh, didn't know that. Engine would have been about 60ish degrees and was not off for 5 mins.

Have added 0.5 a litre to be safe anyway.

 

[recycled]

not sure about 80c and all that.
Car should be level and engine switched off for about 5mins. preferably checked first thin in the morning from cold, when it has all settled in the sump

 

[BlackC55]

Check it when the car is HOT (when the oil has expanded the most) and on level ground after 5 mins after switch off.

 

[recycled]

when mine is hot, the dipstick reads nothing at all. or is the dipstick different form the computer readings.
on cold it reads just below the max line

 

[BlackC55]

Nothing? Thats odd.

 

[recycled]

I meant when running sorry. on hot it still reads just below mark but my dad said never check oil while car is running, as oil is circulating and not sat in the sump.

 

[television]

when mine is hot, the dipstick reads nothing at all. or is the dipstick different form the computer readings.
on cold it reads just below the max line

Is it the correct dip stick, you must find out

 

[recycled]

well it did come with the car

 

[BlackC55]

I meant when running sorry. on hot it still reads just below mark but my dad said never check oil while car is running, as oil is circulating and not sat in the sump.

Thats right. Its best to check it when hot as the oil has expanded the most.

 

[jonm]

My 200K always needs 1litre between services, normally around the 9K miles point. Doesn't sound like you have anything to worrk about.

The manual says 1litre per 1K miles, which is just **** coverage I guess.

 

[merc180k]

So the general opinion is to check the oil using the electronic dipstick when,
1 - car is hot
2 - car is level
and needing oil now (approx 3k before the next service) is normal?

Mst admit I was a bit surprised to read check from cold.

 

[sweeper]

cold or hot is fine to check oil, but do not check when cold if the engine has been run and switched off before reaching normal operating temp.