How Much Does A Mercedes Oil Change Cost?
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If you’re thinking about getting a Mercedes, you might want to do some research on the maintenance costs ahead of time. As anyone who already owns a Mercedes can tell you, even basic maintenance like getting an oil change can cost a pretty penny.
Of course, it’s not just because mechanics charge more to work on luxury vehicles. There are some very real reasons why Mercedes maintenance costs a good bit more.
We’ll talk about the cost of oil changes, why they’re more expensive, and if any alternative options are easier on your wallet.
How Much Does A Mercedes Oil Change Cost?
No two vehicles are going to have exactly the same cost for an oil change, and neither are any two shops. You should expect some price fluctuations depending on where you are, how much oil your Mercedes needs, and the current price of motor oil.
The year and model also matter when you’re thinking about the cost of an oil change.
Some of those differences are because of the difference in labor time between taking care of different models.
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At a dealership, you should expect to pay between about $150-$450 for an oil change. Larger Mercedes will typically cost more, while the smaller models will be on the cheaper side.
Going to a regular mechanic or an oil change specialist will probably cost a little less, but not by much. Plan on no less than $125 and as much as $400, depending on your year and model.
Why Do Mercedes Oil Changes Cost So Much?
If you haven’t owned a luxury vehicle before, your eyes probably popped at those numbers. That’s completely understandable; after all, for a lot of consumer models, the cost of an oil change is a lot closer to $60 than $400.
There are a few reasons why Mercedes are particularly expensive, though, starting with the design of the vehicles.
Mercedes vehicles typically have multiple drain pans and a lot of different locations where oil can go in the vehicle. That’s a good thing for vehicle performance but means that changing a Mercedes’ oil is going to be a lot more work-intensive than vehicles with a simpler system.
Another consequence of that larger design is that Mercedes vehicles also typically need more oil than other vehicles of similar size and type. In fact, a Mercedes may need as much as 1-2 liters more oil than comparable consumer vehicles.
That combination means that changing the oil in your Mercedes is more time-consuming and that the materials are more expensive than the alternatives.
Combine that with the fact that most people prefer premium motor oil for a Mercedes and that the vehicles genuinely seem to perform better which higher-end lubrication, and you have a recipe for more expensive maintenance.
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In addition to that, most shops also take the opportunity of having the vehicle in for an oil change to perform an inspection and other routine maintenance. Oil changes aren’t big moneymakers for any shop, so they’re looking for other services your car either needs or will need soon to make sure they get your business for bigger, potentially more lucrative, services.
Additionally, it’s also common for shops to offer a tire rotation, alignment, or cleaning service along with oil changes. Typically, they’ll at least check tire pressure for free, but you should expect to pay for any other services – even just an inspection.
How Often Should You Get An Oil Change
Mercedes is one of the luxury vehicle brands that, supposedly, lets owners go a little longer between standard maintenance and servicing than other vehicles. That’s a good thing because it means less money out of your pocket and helps to compensate for the higher overall cost of maintenance.
However, drivers in the United States shouldn’t necessarily count on those longer maintenance intervals.
For one thing, fuel quality and octane are lower in the United States than in Europe, and Mercedes are built with European standards in mind. Fuel quality has a big impact on the life of your engine oil, and the additional impurities of United States fuel will dirty your engine oil much faster.
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The other problem is that a lot of drivers in the United States mostly drive in the city and town on shorter trips that don’t heat the oil as hot, which means that more impurities stay in the oil instead of getting burnt away.
So, instead of the 12,500-mile oil change recommendation you’ll get from Mercedes, it’s a good idea to change your oil every 5,000-7,000 miles.
The other factor here is the fact that manufacturers mostly just want to make sure the vehicle lasts through its warranty; they don’t need it to be durable for decades. If you’re looking to help your Mercedes last, a more frequent schedule for oil changes is one of the best things you can do.
Even if you aren’t driving enough to hit those mileage limits, you should also plan on changing your Mercedes’ oil at least once a year. That means you need to budget your Mercedes oil change cost every year, at minimum, more often if you’re a high mileage driver.
Can You Lower Mercedes Oil Change Costs?
With such a large price tag, there are plenty of people who wonder if there are ways to reduce the cost of your oil changes. Here, there’s good and bad news. The bad news is that if you need to take your Mercedes to the shop to get the oil changed, you’re probably going to pay a pretty penny for the service.
But the good news is that changing your own oil can help save some, just not as much as other vehicles.
Why can’t you get a good deal at a shop? Mostly because the cheapest option for oil changes, lube shops, aren’t going to be as good for your Mercedes. They’re a bulk business and are going to want to get the oil change done as quickly as possible, which may mean leaving more residual oil in the system than they should.
Worse, some lube shops are notorious for using lower quality engine oil, which leads to more problems and faster wear and tear on both the engine oil itself and your engine.
Changing your own oil with a Mercedes can also be a pain, but it’s mostly a matter of patience and having the right tools and equipment. Make sure you’re ordering filters from Mercedes if you decide to go this route; they have specialized filters that do a better job of keeping the engine oil clean and also are optimized to work with their system.
Signs Your Mercedes-Benz Need an Oil Change?
While Mercedes-Benz oil changes are not cheap, they’re important routine maintenance steps to ensure that your engine runs without a hitch. It’s important that you stay on top of your oil changes, or you’ll run into mechanical issues that are more expensive to fix. Below are the signs your vehicle needs an oil change:
- Dark and grainy oil – Make it a habit to check your oil regularly. Simply open the lid of your oil filter and examine the dipstick. If the oil looks dark and chunky, you need to come in for an oil change.
- Check engine oil at the dashboard – Mercedes-Benz vehicles have plenty of advanced diagnostic features that will let you know something is wrong with your car. If you see the check engine oil light up, it means you need an oil change fast.
- Loud engine noises – An unusually loud engine may point to a dozen issues, and one cause is that your engine might be due for an oil change.
- Dropping oil levels – If oil levels are dropping rapidly and suddenly, there might be a leak under the hood or the oil quality is poor and needs to be changed.
FAQs: Cost of Mercedes Oil Change
Q: Why is a Mercedes oil change more expensive than other brands?
A: Mercedes oil changes are more expensive due to the high-quality synthetic oil and specific filters these luxury vehicles require. Additionally, specialized technicians familiar with Mercedes-Benz engineering often perform the service, contributing to the higher cost.
Q: Can I use regular oil instead of synthetic oil to save money?
A: Mercedes-Benz vehicles are designed to use synthetic oil for better performance and longevity. Using regular oil instead of synthetic can compromise the engine’s efficiency and might void your warranty, so it’s not recommended to switch.
Q: Does the cost of an oil change vary by Mercedes model?
A: The cost can vary by model due to differences in oil capacity and filter type. High-performance models, like those in the AMG line, may require more oil and higher-grade filters, which typically translates to higher costs.
Q: Is skipping or delaying a Mercedes oil change to save money advisable?
A: Delaying or skipping an oil change can lead to significant engine damage and higher repair costs in the long run. Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity and performance of your Mercedes-Benz.
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