Complete Oil Specifications
Your 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC with the 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 mild-hybrid engine (M256) requires full-synthetic oil carrying one of Mercedes-Benz’s own approval sheets — MB 229.51, 229.52, 229.61, or 229.71 (229.72 under certain conditions) — per the operator’s manual.
Why the MB-Approval Matters More Than the SAE Grade
Mercedes-Benz doesn’t print a single SAE viscosity for this engine. Instead, the operator’s manual lists the approved MB-Approval sheets and tells owners to use the lowest SAE viscosity class available among oils carrying one of them, for best fuel economy. MB 229.71 is the low-viscosity, fuel-economy-oriented sheet in that list, commonly formulated as 0W-20 — that’s the practical recommendation, but any oil bearing an applicable MB-Approval number satisfies the manual’s requirement.
Capacity & Filter
The M256 holds 8.5 US quarts (8.0 liters) with a new filter, per the operator’s manual capacities table. The genuine Mercedes-Benz filter element is referenced as part number 256-184-00-00, though this could not be independently re-confirmed on MBUSA’s own parts storefront during this research pass.
Service Interval
The operator’s manual describes Mercedes-Benz’s condition-based ASSYST variable service system rather than a single fixed mileage. Mercedes-Benz USA’s own service-maintenance page states that Service A — which includes motor oil and oil filter replacement — falls at approximately 10,000 miles or 1 year, with Service A and Service B then alternating roughly every 20,000 miles/1–2 years thereafter.
FAQs
What oil does a 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 500 4MATIC take? Full-synthetic oil carrying an MB-Approval sheet (229.51, 229.52, 229.61, or 229.71), typically in a 0W-20 grade.
How many quarts does it need? 8.5 US quarts (8.0 liters) with a new filter.
How often should I change the oil? Mercedes-Benz USA lists Service A — which includes oil and filter — at approximately 10,000 miles or 1 year, though your vehicle’s ASSYST system determines the exact due date based on driving conditions.