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Mercedes-Benz Oil Change: Why Is It Expensive?

  • Car Care Tips
  • Xavier Sabastian
  • 9 minutes

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Follow along as we explain how much it costs to change the oil in a Mercedes-Benz. We will also tell you why it costs so much and how you can save money by doing it yourself at home.

It shouldn’t be surprising that getting a Mercedes-Benz service will cost more than getting a Toyota Camry. But the price difference can be a lot for something as simple as a Mercedes-Benz oil change. 

Mercedes-Benz oil

Cost of Mercedes-Benz Oil Change at Dealership

The real answer is that the cost of an oil change for a Mercedes usually depends on the exact year, make, and model of the car and where the oil change is done. A Mercedes with four or six cylinders uses less oil. It is usually cheaper than a big-body car with eight or twelve cylinders. 

Some of the AMG models that are made for speed may have a more complicated oil system. A Mercedes-Benz dealership will charge between $180 and $450 for an oil service.

The real answer is that the cost of an oil change for a Mercedes usually depends on the exact year, make, and model of the car and where the oil change is done. A Mercedes with four or six cylinders uses less oil. It is usually cheaper than a big-body car with eight or twelve cylinders. 

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Why does a Mercedes-Benz Oil Change cost so Much?

Several reasons for an oil change at a dealership will always cost more. 

Any dealership’s base labor rate will almost always be higher than any independent shop or quick-lube service center. Dealership techs are often better trained and paid. But the service center is often the most profitable part of a new car dealership. 

Some simplest jobs can be the most expensive per hour because of tiered and variable hourly rates.

The other big reason a dealership charges more is that when you bring your car in for service, they do more than change the oil and charge you for it. Most of the time, they’ll give you a choice between A, B, and C, all of which will cost you more money in the end. 

Service departments don’t make much money from an oil change alone, so they must make the most of your visit. Plus, a more thorough car inspection allows them to sell you other services. 

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What makes Mercedes-Benz different?

Many Mercedes-Benz cars have more than one place where oil can drain from oil pans, coolers, and other parts. This means that the changes will take longer to make so you will be charged for more hours. Do-it-yourself is the best way to save money on an oil change for your Mercedes. 

With a little time and a few simple hand tools, you can easily save hundreds of dollars by doing your oil change instead of going to a dealership.

Lastly, Mercedes engines usually hold a lot of oil, another reason an oil change can cost a lot. Most engines with six cylinders need between 6.5 and 8.0 liters of oil, while eight cylinders need between 7.5 and 9.5 liters. 

Oil alone can cost anywhere from $85 to $145 at a dealership. This depends on the oil type and how many liters your car takes.

Read on how to wash your Mercedes-Benz here.

Many Mercedes-Benz cars have more than one place where oil can drain from oil pans, coolers, and other parts. This means that the changes will take longer to make so you will be charged for more hours. Do-it-yourself is the best way to save money on an oil change for your Mercedes. 

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

A Quick-Lube Shop for Your Mercedes-Benz?

Even though there are always exceptions, you should only sometimes take your Mercedes to a quick-lube shop. Even though some do good work, quick-lube shops are based on how much they sell. 

The more money they can make depends on how quickly they can turn and burn the cars that come through their doors. Because their prices are so low, many might only let your Mercedes’ oil drain some of the ways before they start putting things back together and filling your oil.

To get cars out the door quickly, the person doing your oil change may be in a hurry to put the underbody back together, leaving out important fasteners. We’ve all seen cars on the highway with the belly pan flapping in the wind, and it’s not fun to deal with if it happens to you.

What you should keep in mind!

Like most European cars, Mercedes has very specific needs regarding oil. 

A typical quick-lube shop that works on all years, makes and models of cars might need the right oil for your Mercedes. Even though this might not seem like a big deal, it is. You should refrain from putting any old oil, synthetic or not, into your engine. 

If your car is still under warranty, you must use the right type of oil to keep the warranty valid. 

It may seem obvious that engine oil is important, but the engine oil filter is just as important. A typical filter brand from a parts store will not filter as well as a German-made Purflux oil filter, which is the OE supplier for Mercedes-Benz Genuine filters. You can bet that a quick-lube shop won’t have any Purflux oil filters for your Mercedes. 

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, if a tech is in a hurry to finish your oil change, they may over- or under-torque the drain plug. If the oil drain plug comes loose, it could give you headaches and cost you more money on your next oil change. It could also cause a small leak. 

If the drain plug is very loose, a lot of oil will leak out, and you’ll have a mess on your hands. If it falls out completely, it could cause all of the engine oil to leak out and, in the worst case, cause the engine to stop working. Either way, going to a quick-lube shop might cost you more time and money than it saves.

If you want to avoid paying dealer prices but are uncomfortable doing it yourself, we suggest finding a Mercedes-Benz specialist in your area with good reviews.

Your Mercedes must have the right amount of engine oil in it. Either put in enough oil or putting in less oil can cause problems. Underfilling can cause a lot of damage to the engine by starving it of oil or causing it to sludge. High operating temperatures can also cause the engine to wear out faster. 

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Mercedes-Benz Oil Change: The When?

First, we recommend you follow the longer drain intervals that Mercedes-Benz gives. Even though the exact number of miles can vary, some Mercedes cars don’t need an oil change for up to 12,500 miles, which is way too long for the driving conditions and fuel quality in the United States. 

The average American driver stops and starts a lot and takes a lot of short trips every day. Both of these things are hard on engine oil. 

Because these trips are shorter, the oil doesn’t get hot enough to burn off impurities, which can cause it to clog and cause the engine to wear out faster.

USA vs. Europe: Difference in Fuel

Compared to Europe, the problem with our fuel is not the gasoline itself. The issue is with ethanol in most of the fuel sold in the United States. Ethanol dissolves in water, making it easier to pick up dangerous substances. These contaminants get into your engine oil when you burn fuel. In the short term, there’s no problem. The more fuel you burn and the more miles you drive, the more likely you’re adding to the contaminants in your oil. 

Because of this, we can only run for longer periods, with the engine wearing out faster.

Is your Mercedes-Benz either turbocharged or supercharged? We suggest changing the oil every 5,000 miles with high-quality oil that meets the specifications. Does your Mercedes-Benz have a naturally aspirated gas engine? You should change the oil every 7,500 miles.

Otherwise, you should change your oil and filter every 12 months.

How much oil should I use?

Your Mercedes must have the right amount of engine oil in it. Either put in enough oil or putting in less oil can cause problems. Underfilling can cause a lot of damage to the engine by starving it of oil or causing it to sludge. High operating temperatures can also cause the engine to wear out faster. 

When you overfill, you can damage expensive exhaust parts like catalytic converters. You can also mess up how your engine mixes air and fuel and cause other problems.

We always suggest putting in about 0.5 L less oil than the maximum level for your car. After starting the car to get the new oil moving and the filter full, let it sit for 10 minutes. Then check the oil level and add more if needed. 

How much can I save if I change the oil by myself?

How much oil you need to add to reach full capacity will depend on various factors. A few of them are how long it takes to drain, the temperature outside, the temperature of the oil, and how the car is tilted.

This will depend on your Mercedes’s exact year, model, and engine. You can save a lot of money if you do your own oil changes.

A Mercedes oil change at a dealership might cost a lot, but it doesn’t have to. You can save much money by changing the oil and doing other basic maintenance on your Mercedes yourself. You can be proud that it was done right by the person who cares about your car the most: YOU.

A Mercedes Benz is not a cheap car. There's no way around that. But if you use Way.com to look for car insurance, you might be surprised to find a good deal on a high-end car.

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

Affordable Insurance for Mercedes-Benz via Way.com

A Mercedes Benz is not a cheap car. There’s no way around that. But if you use Way.com to look for car insurance, you might be surprised to find a good deal on a high-end car.

How? By getting quotes from up to 200 of the best insurance companies! Just download the app, answer a few quick questions, and Way.com will take care of the rest. You’ll be given competitive quotes that include the coverage you need at a price that will probably make your whole month.

When you buy your car insurance through Way.com, you can save an average of $971 per year.


Here’s more info on top-rated airport parkingthe best parking spots in your city, affordable auto insurance, easy auto refinance, and high-quality car washes near you.


 

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