Oil Check Every 3 Month - Is It Necessary ?

justanick on 06/10/2020 - 03:53

Hi All,

I am not savvy with the mechanics of a car but I was told I need to check and refill my car's engine oil regardless of servicing date. It's a Mercedes C Class W205 - 2014 model and going to the dealership for this is going to cost me an arm and a leg. It's a long history how I got this car but I like to look after this until I have it but not spend on something unnecessary which a local mechanic can do.
The Service B on the car was done earlier this year and Service A is due in 100 days. I thought the engine oil does not need to be checked or refilled until a year or when servicing is due.
If I need to get the oil checked and refilled where can I go locally in Sydney City that won't charge me a lot like the dealership ?

Automotive

Comments

  • Euphemistic on 06/10/2020 - 04:19
    +4

    Checking the level regularly is necessary. Open the bonnet, remove the dipstick and see if it needs more oil. Refill if it is low. You do not need a mechanic for this. Do it before you start the car after it has sat for a while.

    Once upon a time when you got fuel they would fill your car and check the oil for you. Self serve killed that.

    Servicing is changing the oil which can be DIY. I suspect however, given you don’t know how to check the oil it will be beyond you so get a mechanic to change the oil at your regular service according to the service schedule (probably every 6or 12 months depending on kms travelled)

    • justanick on 06/10/2020 - 05:47

      thank you so much. Is there any instructions on how I can check my car's dipstick ? I was searching in youtube for my car's model but it's not clear.
      Also, which car oil can I get for my car as I want to get something really good also how do I ensure I am filling the oil the right amount ?
      I can fill up washer fluid properly :)

      • AustriaBargain on 06/10/2020 - 06:09
        +1

        Is your car due for any kind of service, new brake pads or anything? I bet you they would show you how to check the oil on your car for free while they're at it. Can't imagine it being a line item anyway.

        • justanick on 06/10/2020 - 07:26

          Nope mate servicing is due in 100 days but I like to prep myself now and get this done as I started driving more.

      • Euphemistic on 06/10/2020 - 07:43
        +9

        Open up the bonnet. The bits that are user serviceable are yellow. YouTube is hardly likely to show you where the dipstick is, it’s assumed knowledge.

        Check the user manual.

        Also getting ‘the best’ oil isn’t necessary unless you want to race. Again, check the user manual to find out what oil you need. With a relatively new car you are unlikely to need oil unless the engine blows grey smoke or there is an oil puddle under the car. Don’t buy it until after you check the level.

    • TEER3X on 06/10/2020 - 11:04
      -1

      You can also check hot oil, I normally do it that way. Some dipsticks have an indicator for warm oil.

      • Euphemistic on 06/10/2020 - 12:38
        +1

        Yes you can. I prefer a cold check because the oil has mostly drained back to the sump and there is no risk of contacting anything about too hot.

        • TEER3X on 07/10/2020 - 11:37

          If you don't burn yourself a little once in a while, then you don't really learn anything.

        • wetwork on 08/10/2020 - 20:34

          This is the best way. Dipsticks are meant to be used on cold (or nearly cold) engines, since as you said, you measurinhg the oil level in the sump. What is is the galleys etc is anyone's guess.

  • BobD on 06/10/2020 - 07:42
    +3

    If you still have a manual for your car then try reading that on how to check these things. It should be under a section called Service or Maintenance or just use the index if it has one.

  • justanick on 06/10/2020 - 08:17

    thanks a lot I will be back after reading the owners manual.
    Now on the coolant can I also check and fill it up ? Are there any pointers to give me please ?
    Also the Electronic Engine gauge temperature is always above 3/4 of the way up is that normal or the temperature is high and I need to check the coolant ?

  • Hugh G Rection on 06/10/2020 - 08:48
    -1

    no, that is marketing to help increase sales of oil. i use full synthetic and change every 10k or 6 months. i usually change before winter and summer, because i use 2 different oils for hot and cold seasons.

    • TEER3X on 06/10/2020 - 11:05

      Is that really necessary to change oils for summer/winter given how mild the climate is for most of Australia?

      • brendanm on 06/10/2020 - 11:56
        +2

        No, it is not necessary at all.

        • Hugh G Rection on 06/10/2020 - 14:27

          but my winter home is near Thredbo in the mountains, and my summer home in byron.
          Is it still not necessary?

          • brendanm on 06/10/2020 - 14:28

            @Hugh G Rection: No.

            • Hugh G Rection on 06/10/2020 - 14:35

              @brendanm: ok, but should I still change the oil in my Bentayga every 6 months?

              • brendanm on 06/10/2020 - 14:36

                @Hugh G Rection: No. You should also sell it, they are the ugliest SUV you can buy.

                • Hugh G Rection on 06/10/2020 - 18:23

                  @brendanm: it works great in the snowy mountains, which SUV should I replace it with? Cullinan, Urus, Levante, etc…

                  • brendanm on 06/10/2020 - 18:48

                    @Hugh G Rection: Not sure, it seems you have a penchant for cars that have been violently assaulted with the ugly stick, so it's much of a muchness really.

  • brad1-8tsi on 06/10/2020 - 09:57
    +5

    If you live near Sydney CBD…
    1) I'd be happy to show you how to do basic monthly checks of fluid levels, etc. I'm in Erskineville (next to Newtown).

    2) If you need a good workshop then my mates take their BMWs to Metro Mechanical in Marrickville. They do excellent work on all the BMW M cars and I'm sure they could do a Mercedes with their eyes shut.

    • Brodo Faggins on 06/10/2020 - 22:58

      Would like to know in person how to change oil/coolant & other general good-to-knows like breaks, spark plugs, filters - if you have the time and patience :) (perhaps on a weekend once my car is fixed)

      Also not my car, but does your mate do other Euro cars?

      • brad1-8tsi on 07/10/2020 - 14:39

        Metro Mechanics is not a mate.
        I have a lot of mates with high performance BMWs (M135, M5 V10, M3 V8, 1M, etc) from a car club we started 20 years back. They go there. Metro will fix anything but the mechanic is an M enthusiast.

        Sorry, but I haven't the time to teach people more complicated stuff. I was willing to take 20 minutes to show a newbie the basics.

        This might help
        https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/course/LSWE1

        I find TouTube a great, vehicle specific resource. Often the content goes way beyond the minimum but that's better than cutting corners. If I did a YT video on an oil service I'd get so many negative comments and thumbs down because I do it in a very commercial and efficient manner.

        • Brodo Faggins on 07/10/2020 - 20:01

          Excellent, thanks for the reply nevertheless!

          Looks like our communications were on the other ends of the spectrum haha

          Anyway I'll check the link out and dig around YT, cheers!

    • justanick on 09/10/2020 - 04:26

      Hey mate
      I live very close to Marrickville it would be great learning some tricks off you just the basics.

    • Whisper Quiet on 16/10/2020 - 05:59

      What a legend!

  • nubzy on 06/10/2020 - 10:17
    +1

    Every 3 months is excessive. You should check the oil every now and then and top up if necessary, but with modern cars you don't usually need to manually check, it should have a computer/sensor which will alert you on the dashboard when the oil is low. For my car the oil is changed every 15,000km or 12 months which is the regular service interval.

  • Snake 4 on 06/10/2020 - 10:22
    -1

    Sorry but I can't believe a male that owns and drives a vehicle has no idea how to check the oil and coolant levels.

    Who checks and puts the air in your tyres and fills the windscreen washer bottle?

    Do you know you have a windscreen bottle?

    • wallet72 on 06/10/2020 - 11:02
      +2

      bit unfair. Most of us picked this up from parents or friends, I have some friends that didn't have that opportunity.

      It's becoming a bigger problem these days too, I made time to show my kids the basics when they were learning to drive but alot of their friends were just told 'call NRMA for that'.

      • Snake 4 on 06/10/2020 - 11:54

        Unfair? Is it his first car?

        He has children as he mentioned in another post about car mats. so he isn't in his teens and probably not in his early 20s.

        Self taught here from the time I started paddock bashing at 14 many many many years ago. No it wasn't on a farm. Parents had 15 acres 8ks north west of Parramatta.

    • TEER3X on 06/10/2020 - 11:06

      I can't believe people still make these juvenile assumptions and stereotypes in this day and age.

      • Snake 4 on 06/10/2020 - 11:56
        +1

        This board is full of juvenile assumptions.

    • brad1-8tsi on 06/10/2020 - 14:59

      Snake4.

      It's sad but true. Plenty of folk haven't a clue how to carry out basic checks on their vehicles.

      Apparently engines don't use oil (VW didn't get that memo) and tyres aren't porous.

  • wallet72 on 06/10/2020 - 11:03

    I've read about these courses and they seem like a good idea…

    https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/course/LSWE1

  • netjock on 06/10/2020 - 11:07

    I am not savvy with the mechanics of a car but I was told I need to check and refill my car's engine oil regardless of servicing date.

    Think you mean check and top up.

    As per above. Check before starting car or after turning off and sat for a while (so all the oil is in the reservoir). Buy a small bottle of oil (1L) that is compatible with your car (check your hand book) top us when necessary.

    When to check, depends on your service schedule. I'd do it once every 3 - 4 months. If your car starts consuming oil (or known to consume oil) I would be keeping an eye on it because it could mean bigger problems like oil is going between seals into engine etc.

  • jackinyourbox on 06/10/2020 - 15:00

    Yeah should check. Don’t let oil levels drop low

  • Cartman2530 on 06/10/2020 - 19:43

    Unless your car is using oil and this is apparent at each service, then constantly checking it is not required.

  • justanick on 06/10/2020 - 21:08
    +1

    Guys I spent a lot of time learning how to check the engine oil and coolant and wanted to let you all know I finally managed to check them both and it seems good. The dipstick was just below the max level (the quality of the fluid was dark and liquidish)
    the coolant level was just at par with the cross shaped meter which I found online was the level it needs to be. The color of the coolant was pinkish.
    This is the first time I checked this myself and glad some of you were there to help me and support me with this journey. There is no better time to self learn.
    Someone did mention above re the air pressure and washer fluid - yes I check them regularly myself.

    now off to some research getting the rubber mats ….

    I am so happy after I could do this :) thank you all

    • Euphemistic on 06/10/2020 - 22:01
      +2

      Next stop. Do you know how to change a tyre and the wiper blades?

      • justanick on 06/10/2020 - 22:21

        Good question as I was thinking that. I changed the wiper blades once in my Honda Civic but not on the MB.
        I don't know how to change a tyre also found I do not have any of the tools to change the run flat tyres on my car.
        Having said that I need to first check how to check the threads on my wheels .. i recently did a pink slip and it went through the checks alright but I know the tyres need to be changed in the near future.

        I was looking at some youtube videos on placing some US quarter coin that doesn't help much for us in Australia :)

        Happy for you to give me some tips mate :)

        • Brodo Faggins on 06/10/2020 - 23:33
          +1

          With the help of youtube, I've self taught my first tyre change on a BMW which was more complex than older Jap cars, as one of the lugs had a master lug. The removal/replacement is somewhat straight forward, depending on your lug nuts / jack quality / weight of car.

          Your car should come with spare tyre, jack, and a wheel wrench at the very least - Otherwise Supercheap Auto will have everything you don't currently have (just take photos & accurate measurements for reference).

          Once you've done one, the knowledge carries on.

          Also tyre pressures can be found on a panel, usually on the chassis of the driver's door. You can always reinflate at any servo to recommended levels - you will instantly feel the difference in your steering if you've been driving on slightly deflated tyres.

          For your tyre tread depth, you're aiming for roughly 3mm around the circumference. Try the Oz 20c instead of the US quarter - the bill of the platypus to the bottom is roughly the same.

          Hope this has been helpful, and keeps you busy tomorrow!

          Also here's a quick tutorial on changing a tyre thanks to Supercheap Auto:
          https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/blog/how-to/general-tips/c…

  • justanick on 07/10/2020 - 01:51

    thank you nshlee … the 3mm should I insert the coin at any point or on the indent points marked to check the tyre ? There are arrows to show where the indents are.
    Also on the Oz 20c coin after inserting the coin what point should I be looking at - did you mean - looking from the bottom of the coin until it hits the top of "two and zero" ?

  • justanick on 09/10/2020 - 04:31

    I was going to start a new thread but thought of asking this here.
    I live near the international airport Mascot in Sydney
    1) How much is service A cost for a MB in MB or somewhere decent and going to charge me like MB but anything wrong with my servicing they can quickly fix it with genuine parts ?
    2) I have pre-owned MB 2 year warranty does it get void if I use another mechanic other than MB? What does this warranty cover as there was an electrical blinking warning light coming out and when I contacted my dealer he said it’s cars electrical system not going to be covered.

  • esty on 16/10/2020 - 10:05

    you should be checking oil/fluid levels weekly at a minimum.

    Less if your car is newer.

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