Thanks guys. What prompted all this checking on my part was the puff of smoke (I think) I saw when I started it this morning. This was after a long highway drive yesterday in hot weather.

So on a whim, I checked the oil after the drive and it was at the low mark. Like Hattie said, I let it sit and checked later and it was up to 1/4 of the accepted range. Not a huge deal, but down about a litre from full.

I'm going to get 5W40 when I go for the service this Tuesday and will monitor from there.

lol...my 300E had the infamous timing chain/camshaft seal oil leak and I was constantly adding oil to it. Since my E430 doesn't leak a drop, maybe I'm just not used to actual engine consumption, rather than leaking - where you don't notice the consumption as you're always adding oil...

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon