Greetings! I am the proud owner of a 2000 ML320, my first ML! Hence, I am not that familiar with the intricatries of the MLs. My 320 has 70k and I purchased it from the original owner, who had all the service records (which were done at our local MB dealer and up to date, as were all the recalls except the cat replacement which I have had done). My question is concerning acceptable oil consumption between Services A or B? Also, I am curious if the FSS projected life of the oil (Mobil 1 0-40 Syn) is to be trusted and/or followed? I have driven about 5000 miles since the A Service and just had to add one qt of Mobil 1. Is this acceptable? The FSS is showing that I still have 6000 miles until my next service. This just seems way to many miles, as the oil certainly appeared very "dirty" (dark) to me! I would be most thankful for any responses to this issue.

Thanks & God Bless!

Rick
http://www.embracehisgrace.com

I would personally advise changing the oil twice as often as recommended. Yes, the FSS will recommend oil change intervals somewhere around every 10k-12k miles.

1 quart of oil per 5,000 miles is more than acceptable.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

Thanks, Ali! Just as suspected, the FSS is overly generous in its appraisal of the quality and effectiveness of the oil. A good idea and useful system but not that practical in the world of everyday driving. Indeed I think I shall schedule a service soon. I am glad the oil consumption is within the acceptable range, again as I suspected it to be; however, I am slightly, very slightly disappointed even in that amount of oil consumption. My ML is in excellent condition, as I mentioned has had all the required MB service at the dealer, no, not one, oil leak, runs perfect, so I was rather surprised honestly when I pulled the dipstick to see it one qt low. Not a problem though.

Thanks & God Bless!

Rick

I have used synthetic oils in my personal cars for YEARS & never let them go past 6000 miles on a change!

AS suggested don't go 10K miles on any oil change!

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
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Retired Moderator

I also have a 2000 ML320 with 58,000 miles that I had purchased new and have enjoyed tremendously. My dealer has been excellent and performed all of the updates that have been known problems before I had experienced any failures. Since new, I have been using synthetic oil and splitting the FSS requirement for oil/oil filter change interval changing oil approximately every 6,000 miles. My 1995 C280 gets changed every 5,000 miles with synthetic only because it is easier for me to remember by looking at the odometer. Considering what you spend on gasoline, oil changes (yes, even synthetic) when done by yourself are cheap insurance.

I keep very accurate records of my fuel mileage and have noticed an approximate 5% increase in fuel mileage when using synthetic over conventional oil. This, in essence, pays for the increased cost of the oil and in addition offers increased protection for the engine when operating under extreme or abnormal conditions.

I just returned from my mountainhouse last night and am able to get there and back on less than a tankful of fuel. With my ML320 loaded with four adults, my dog and the cargo area full, I recorded 25.5 mpg (AC running half the time)!

Congratulations on your new purchase, this vehicle is one of the most comfortable vehicles to ride/drive. I should know, on several occasions I have driven this vehicle for a little over 1,000 miles with only refueling stops and still have not felt tired of driving.

Wow, my 1995 E300D (when I had it) never needed even half a quart between oil changes and I changed about every 5000 miles using Rotella.
Why did I sell HER?!!

It is normal for an internal combustion engine to burn some oil between changes.

I believe that the M112 will naturally burn more oil than the M104 due to the lower tension rings in the M112.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

One quart of oil every 5,000 miles is nothing I would be concerned with. At the same time, I do not see any measurable oil use in my ML320 between 6,000 mile changes so I do not think low tension rings have much to do with it. Every engine is slightly different.

I probably change my AmsOil (syn) about every 5000 to 6000 miles and oil use in this car is minimal ... it has about 67K on it now and runs like a top.
Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)