Best Oil For Mercedes Sprinter [And How Often To Change The Oil]

If you own a Mercedes Sprinter, it's essential to understand what type of oil is best for the vehicle. Not only does this make your car run more efficiently, but it also helps with fuel economy and engine life. Changing the oil regularly will also help keep your van running smoothly for many miles to come. We did the research to bring you the best oil option for a Mercedes Sprinter and how often you should change it.

Mercedes recommends Mobil 1 5w-30 oil for the Sprinter. In addition, Mercedes-Benz recommends that all 2021 Sprinter vans get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for conventional oils and every 7,500 - 10,000 miles for synthetic oils.

The best oil for Mercedes Sprinters is synthetic or full-synthetic motor oil that meets API service SG specifications. The proper grade should be determined by the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual, so consult them before purchasing any oils. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best oil for a Mercedes Sprinter and the proper maintenance schedule!

Best Oil For Mercedes Sprinter [And How Often To Change The Oil]

One of the things often overlooked by people when they purchase a new vehicle is the type of oil to use. It’s important, especially if you have an older model Mercedes Sprinter.

After all, it has different requirements for its engine to function correctly, mainly because it’s diesel-powered. However, the one thing that isn’t clear is what kind should be used and how frequently it should be changed.

Mercedes does recommend Mobil One 5w-30 synthetic motor oil. They say that all 2021 Vans should get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles when using conventional oils or every 7,000 to 10,000 miles when using Synthetic oils.

The proper grade should be determined by the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual, so consult them before purchasing any oils.

Can I Use Conventional Oil In My Mercedes Sprinter?

If you want to save some money, then you can go with conventional oil. However, it doesn't last as long, and synthetic does a better job lubricating the engine.

So, in the long run, synthetic oil is the way to go. It will keep your engine healthy and running smoothly. In addition, having good oil in your Sprinter will help the performance of the engine when towing.

Most owners will change their oil between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. However, if you are towing more than usual (or with an enclosed trailer), then you might want to consider changing it sooner because of the extra strain on your engine.

If using conventional oil, prepare for regular trips to the mechanic’s shop or auto parts store; switching back and forth can cause problems in some vehicles like Mercedes Sprinters that recommend synthetic oil.

The most common mistake people make when coming into our service center is neglecting the oil change. So, to avoid the problem, get your Sprinter into a mechanic regularly!

How much oil goes in a Mercedes Sprinter?

The Mercedes sprinter engine takes 13.2 quarts of oil. This will vary for the older models, so be sure to check your owner's manual.

However, most Mercedes Sprinter takes this amount of oil. Be sure to check your dipstick after adding oil to make sure you don't overfill it. 

How do you change the oil on a Mercedes Sprinter?

The oil change process is fairly simple for anyone! 

Remove the Engine Oil Drain Plug

First off, find the engine's drain plug. It should look like a bolt that goes into the bottom of the engine block where water would normally come out from underneath if there were any excess fluid inside.

The head-on style of drain plug looks different than what you may think; rather than being flat with a hole through it, these types have little teeth or ridges around them for gripping purposes.

Drain the oil

Once you've located and removed this screw/bolt (it'll most likely need to be loosened first), allow all the oil to drain out. Depending on the size of your Mercedes Sprinter, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or so! When draining is complete, replace the bolt/screw.

Refill with new oil

You can then refill with fresh new quarts of oil (remember that note about what kind?). Be sure not to overfill - check your dipstick in case there are any leaks during the refilling process. And voila! You've just changed the oil in your Mercedes Sprinter.

If you're more of a visual learner, you may enjoy the following video guide:

How To Dispose of Mercedes Sprinter Oil

Do not dump used motor fluids into open sewers! Treat this liquid as hazardous waste.

Another method is at a recycling center or mechanic shop with an on-site shredder and/or filtration system for proper disposal. Many times, shops like AutoZone will dispose of your used oil for you. If these options aren't available in your area, check your local regulations concerning disposal in a landfill, as this might be required.

How much is an oil change for a Mercedes Sprinter?

According to RepairPal, an oil change can cost between $234 and $264.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It protects internal parts from damage, keeps them cool, and prevents contaminants from accumulating in there too.

For engines, efficiency can be maximized while on long-distance road trips. They should operate at full capacity. Using high-quality automotive oils prolongs their life span, ensuring better performance.

Engineered for maximum protection, the quality oil filter will keep your engine clean and running smoothly. The best part about them? They're affordable and fairly easy to replace.

How do you reset the service overdue on a Mercedes Sprinter?

If your service overdue light is driving you crazy, then follow these steps to turn it off:

1. Insert key in the ignition and turn to position II.
2. Press the Menu buttons on the left side steering wheel until you see the mileage.
3. Press the up arrow until you see Service A in xxx miles or Service B in xxx miles.
4. Press the 0 reset button on the side of the instrument cluster and hold it until you hear a beep.
5. Once you hear the beep, go back to the steering wheel and press the Menu button.
6. Press the Up arrow, and you should see “Confirm Complete Service.”
7. Confirm by pressing the reset button on the instrument cluster by holding it down for three seconds.

When the service light turns off, you can take your Mercedes for a test drive and see if it works. However, if that doesn't work, then take it to your local Mercedes dealer for help. Sometimes lights will stay on even if they don't need to be.

Are Mercedes Sprinter vans expensive to maintain?

According to RepairPal, the annual maintenance cost of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is $1,778. This price includes repairs and basic servicing at your local dealership. It doesn't include parts such as tires or fluids, which could increase this expense by hundreds of more dollars per year.

However, the good news is that these costs are comparable to other full-size vans like Ford Transit and GMC Savana.

The Mercedes-Benz Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5, which ranks it 27th among all car brands. This rating means that there's an average annual repair cost for one, and they only visit a repair shop about every other year with a probability of 13%. 

Final Thoughts

The Mercedes Sprinter is a great van for those who need to transport large and heavy items. When you need a powerful engine to tow, the Mercedes Sprinter is tough. However, it does require regular maintenance and care to preserve its reliability rating.

As with any vehicle, regular oil changes are a vital part of its overall lifespan. If you stay up on these maintenance schedules, then you will enjoy your Mercedes Sprinter for many years to come.

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What oil do you use for your Mercedes Sprinter? Leave us a comment below!