2012 Mercedes Benz E350 3.0L Diesel (642.850 H) Oil & Maintenance Guide

AMSOIL diesel oil guide for 2012 Mercedes Benz E350
AMSOIL diesel oil guide for trucks, vans, SUVs and diesel engines

For the 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 with the 3.0L 6-cylinder Engine Code 642.850 H Diesel Turbo, the oil capacity is 8.5 quarts (including filter replacement). Recommended viscosities include 0W-30 or 0W-40 for all temperatures, and 5W-30, 5W-40, or 5W-50 for temperatures above -25°C. AMSOIL recommends AMSOIL 0W-30 MS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil (EOTQT-EA) and the MANN-FILTERS HU821X-EA oil filter.

What oil does a 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 3.0L Diesel take?

The 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 with the 642.850 H engine requires specific viscosities to ensure proper lubrication across varying temperatures. The AMSOIL lookup identifies SEO59 as the oil grade for this application.

AMSOIL product recommendations

Based on the AMSOIL lookup for your Mercedes BlueTEC diesel engine, here are the recommended fluids and filters to maintain optimal performance and protection.

Engine Oil & Filter

Product Name Part Code
AMSOIL 0W-30 MS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil EOTQT-EA
Filter Type Part Code
MANN-FILTERS Oil Filter HU821X-EA

Coolant & Brake Fluid

Product Name Part Code
AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant ANTPC1G-EA
AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant ANT1G-EA
AMSOIL DOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid BFLVCN-EA

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Product Name Part Code
AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic ATF ATLPK-EA
AMSOIL OE Fuel-Efficient 100% Synthetic ATF OTLQT-EA

Power Steering Fluid

Product Name Part Code
AMSOIL 100% Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Power Steering Fluid PSFCN-EA

Engine Oil Viscosity Specifications

Temperature Range Recommended Viscosity
All Temperatures 0W-30, 0W-40
Above -25°C 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50

Engine Oil Details

Specification Value
Oil Capacity (with filter) 8.5 quarts
Drain Plug Torque 33 ft/lbs (24 MM Plug)

Note: After refilling, always check the oil level manually.

How much oil and coolant does it take?

Knowing exact capacities prevents overfilling or running low on critical fluids. For this BlueTEC diesel engine, ensure you have sufficient quantities of both engine oil and engine coolant before beginning service.

Fluid Capacities

Component Capacity
Engine Oil 8.5 quarts (with filter)
Engine Coolant 13 quarts
7-Speed 722.9 ATF (Total Fill) 9.5 quarts

Diesel maintenance notes for this vehicle

Maintaining a BlueTEC diesel engine requires attention to specialized emissions components. The OM642 engine utilizes advanced systems that are sensitive to fluid quality and maintenance intervals.

  • Emissions Systems: Monitor Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF/AdBlue) levels and sensor health regularly.
  • Particulate Filter: Be aware of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration cycles and soot loading.
  • Fuel System: Maintain the integrity of the common rail fuel system and high-pressure pump.
  • Turbocharger: Monitor variable nozzle geometry functionality for optimal performance.

Common diesel oil-related concerns and how AMSOIL products may help

Diesel engines face unique stresses such as soot accumulation and high operating temperatures. Using the correct synthetic fluids can support engine longevity.

Concern Why it matters AMSOIL Product How it may help Limitation
Soot Loading Can increase oil oxidation and wear. EOTQT-EA Designed for unique diesel demands. Does not replace regular oil changes.
Cold Starts Increases wear during initial lubrication. EOTQT-EA 0W viscosity provides flow at low temps. Requires proper oil grade selection.
Injector Deposits Can affect fuel atomization and efficiency. Diesel Injector Clean May help clean injector components. Not a mechanical repair tool.

Common maintenance concerns for this vehicle

Owners of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Diesel should focus on several critical areas to ensure long-term reliability:

  • Emissions Management: The complex EGR, AdBlue, and particulate filter systems are critical maintenance areas.
  • Fuel System Integrity: High-pressure common rail systems require clean fuel and high-quality filtration.
  • Turbocharger Performance: Variable nozzle geometry is a key component that requires monitoring for functionality.

Recall, TSB, and manufacturer communication notes

Official NHTSA recall research for the 2012 Mercedes Benz E350 returned no recall records at this time. However, owners should always verify open recalls by VIN, as applicability depends on production date, trim, and specific equipment.

NHTSA complaint research also returned no complaint records for this year/make/model combination; however, this does not prove the vehicle has no issues, only that no complaints were reported to the NHTSA API.

About this vehicle

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 equipped with the 3.0L V6 diesel engine represents a significant era of Mercedes-Benz engineering, specifically regarding their BlueTEC diesel technology. This vehicle utilizes the OM642 engine family, a 24-valve, aluminum-block V6 designed to replace older straight-six and straight-five configurations.

The OM642 is characterized by its common rail direct injection system, which operates at high pressure (1,600 bar), and a variable nozzle turbocharger. A notable engineering feature of this engine is the counter-rotating balance shaft located between the cylinder banks, which helps mitigate the vibrations inherent in its 72-degree V6 design.

As part of the BlueTEC lineup, this vehicle incorporates advanced emissions management. Depending on the specific application and regional requirements, these systems may utilize AdBlue urea injection for NOx reduction or a NOx storage catalyst that periodically purges nitrous oxides by running the engine slightly rich. Additionally, a particulate filter is employed to lower soot output, helping the engine meet ULEV certification standards.

While the OM642 is a robust workhorse used in various applications ranging from passenger cars to heavy vehicles like the Sprinter, its complex emissions components (EGR, AdBlue, and particulate filters) are critical areas for long-term maintenance monitoring. Owners should note that power figures can vary significantly based on whether it is a BlueTEC variant or a standard diesel implementation; therefore, specific performance data should be verified against the vehicle’s VIN.

Common questions about this vehicle’s diesel oil and maintenance

What is the engine oil capacity for my E350 Diesel?

The capacity is 8.5 quarts when performing an oil change with a filter replacement. Always check the level after refilling.

Which AMSOIL oil is best for the OM642 engine?

For this application, the AMSOIL lookup lists AMSOIL 0W-30 MS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil (EOTQT-EA).

What torque spec should I use for the oil drain plug?

The 24 MM oil drain plug requires a torque of 33 ft/lbs.

Does my Mercedes E350 need special transmission fluid?

Yes, the 7-speed 722.9 transmission has specific requirements. The AMSOIL lookup lists ATLPK-EA or OTLQT-EA depending on your datacard code (A89).

How often should I check my coolant?

While specific intervals vary, the AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze is engineered for protection up to 150,000 miles or 5 years.

Can I use any brake fluid in this vehicle?

The lookup note specifies using DOT 4 plus (referencing specific MB numbers) or products approved on MB Sheet 331.0. AMSOIL offers BFLVCN-EA for this application.


Disclaimer: While this information is gathered from official AMSOIL and NHTSA data, always consult your owner’s manual or a certified Mercedes-Benz technician to confirm specific maintenance requirements for your unique VIN.

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