Oil level
 

Please advise. Adding 1/2 qt. oil for every 3 maybe tanks of gas. 1990 300e 2900cc. 137000 miles. MB dealer said his mechanic had no issues with car. Car passed DEQ easy. Lots of power . No smoke plume. No visible leaks. Some lifter noise at first startup in morning. Hard starting at first startup in morning or after sitting all day at work. How much oil use is to much, and what would make it start better?

1/2 quart to 3 tanks of fuel, works out to what, about 1 quart in 1200-1500 miles??? Not bad actually. And I'm betting you are trying to keep the oil level exactly at the full line, correct?? Next time the level falls off the full mark, let it ride and see if the consumption continues. You might just find that about the time the level gets halfway between the marks oil usage will stop.

Mike,

I have had a quart of oil used every 1,500 to 2,000 miles on my 190E 2.3-16 since it was new, and it has 206,000 miles on it now. I add a quart when the warning light comes on, then the next time it comes on I change it. As of late, the car is using a little less oil, more like a quart every 2,500 miles to 3,000 miles, depending on where I drive it (mostly city or on the highway, with highway usage getting the lower consumption rate).

Personally I would not worry about the consumption rate you noted. I agree with the P Connor point that when it is filled to the top of the dipstick mark, it may use a little more. On my 240D, the rear seal on the crank leaks and so I park it facing downhill when I can to avoid unnecessary loss of oil. That car will rapidly drop to the half way point on the dipstick and then stay ther for several thousand miles.

So, you usage sounds normal and I would not sweat it. Hope this helps, Jim