engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ R500 2007 R171 User Guide

366 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption
can occur when

the vehicle is new

the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system (R 500 only)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off

with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 30 minutes
with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
The standard display (
page 166)
should appear in the multifunction
display.
Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.
iDo not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

367 Operation
Engine compartment
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display:
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:

Engine oil level OK

Add 1.0 qt. to reach max. oil
level
(Canada: 1.0 liter)

Add 1.5 qts. to reach max. oil
level
(Canada: 1.5 liters)

Add 2.0 qts. to reach max. oil
level
(Canada: 2.0 liters)
If necessary, add engine oil.
For information on adding engine oil, see
(
page 369).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 538) and
(
page 540).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey is not turned to position2
in the starter switch, the following
message will appear:
Switch ignition on
to check engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (page 39).If you see the message:
Observe waiting period
If the engine is at operating
temperature, wait 5 minutes before
repeating check procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture, wait 30 minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.
If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking proce-
dure, press thek orj button on the
multifunction steering wheel.

368 Operation
Engine compartment
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at operating temperature, the following
message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(
page 459).Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (except R 500)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 5 minutes with
the engine turned off

with the engine not at operating tem-
perature yet, the vehicle also must
have been stationary for at least
5 minutes with the engine turned off1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Open the hood (page 364).
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick 1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower mark 3 (min.) and upper mark 2
(max.) of the oil dipstick.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and/or
catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the
oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

369 Operation
Engine compartment
If necessary, add engine oil.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 538) and
(
page 540).
For information on messages in the multi-
function display concerning engine oil, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 459).Adding engine oil
R 350 (R 320 CDI similar)
1Filler cap
R 500 (R 63 AMG similar)
1Filler cap
iAll models (except R 63 AMG):
The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
R 63 AMG:
The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
1.6 US qt (1.5 l).
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles).
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio, or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles), or changing of oil
and oil filter at change intervals longer than
those called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
will result in engine or emission control system
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

370 Operation
Engine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 538) and
(
page 540).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine or
emission control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

408 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage is automatically cleared

after approximately 10 seconds when
you switch on the ignition or when
reaching the maintenance service
threshold while driving

after approximately 30 seconds, once
the suggested maintenance service
term has passedYou can also clear it yourself:
1Reset button
Press reset button 1 on the instru-
ment cluster.
The maintenance service indicator
message is cleared and the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display (
page 166).Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:
Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
Service A exceeded by X day
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will reset the maintenance service
indicator following a completed mainte-
nance service.
iVehicles equipped with FSS {PLUS} (Flexible
Service System {PLUS}) only (Canada vehicles):

FSS {PLUS} evaluates engine temperature,
oil level, vehicle speed, engine speed, dis-
tance driven and the time elapsed since your
last service and calculates other mainte-
nance service work required.

The interval between maintenance services
depends on your driving habits. A gentle
driving style, moderate engine speeds and
the avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

458 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refueling
(Canada: 1 liter)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the mini-
mum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck eng. oil level
at next refuelingThe engine oil level is too low.Check the engine oil level (page 366).
USA only:
Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refueling
Canada only:
Add 1 liter engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 369) and check
the engine oil level (
page 366).
Engine oil level
cannot be measuredThe measuring system is
malfunctioning.Have the measuring system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.

459 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NEngine oil level
Stop car, turn engine offThere is no oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine
damage.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as it is safe to do so in a safe
location.
Turn off the engine.
Add engine oil (page 369) and check
the engine oil level (
page 366).
Engine oil level
Reduce oil levelYou have added too much
engine oil. There is a risk of
damaging the engine and/or the
catalytic converter (gasoline en-
gine) or the oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with
respect to its disposal.
Engine oil level
Visit workshopThe engine oil has dropped to a
critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 366)
and add oil as required (
page 369).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol dis-
played could result inserious engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

538 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
products tested and approved by
Mercedes Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterR320CDI
R350
R500
R63AMG9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
10.1 US qt (9.6 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission9.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Transfer case0.53 US qt (0.5 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil
Front axle1.2 US qt (1.1 l)Hypoid gear oil

540 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS
(Canada vehicles). For a listing of approved
engine oils and oil filters, refer to the Fac-
tory Approved Service Products pamphlet,
or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles),
or changing of oil and oil filter at change intervals
longer than those called for by the Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine or emission control
system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so could result in engine or
emission control system damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.