{"id":505,"date":"2026-06-16T21:38:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T01:38:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldsbestdieseloil.com\/oil-guide\/1981-mercedes-benz-240d-2-4l-4-cyl-diesel-maintenance-guide\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T21:38:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T01:38:36","slug":"1981-mercedes-benz-240d-2-4l-4-cyl-diesel-maintenance-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldsbestdieseloil.com\/oil-guide\/1981-mercedes-benz-240d-2-4l-4-cyl-diesel-maintenance-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"1981 Mercedes Benz 240D 2.4L Diesel Engine Oil & Maintenance Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"AMSOIL
AMSOIL diesel oil guide for trucks, vans, SUVs and diesel engines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the 1981 Mercedes Benz 240D with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine (Code 616.912 A Diesel), the oil capacity is 6.9 quarts with a filter change. Recommended viscosities include 0W-30 or 0W-40 for all temperatures, 10W-40 for temperatures above -20\u00b0C, and 5W-30, 5W-40, or 5W-50 for temperatures above -25\u00b0C. AMSOIL recommends AMSOIL 5W-40 FS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil<\/a> or AMSOIL 0W-40 FS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil<\/a> for optimal protection.<\/p>\n

What oil does a 1981 Mercedes Benz 240D take?<\/h2>\n

The 1981 Mercedes Benz 240D with the 2.4L OM616 engine requires specific oil viscosities based on operating temperatures. The AMSOIL lookup identifies an oil grade of SEO41. For optimal performance, select a viscosity that matches your climate: 0W-30 or 0W-40 for all temperatures, 10W-40 for environments above -20\u00b0C, and 5W-30, 5W-40, or 5W-50 for environments above -25\u00b0C.<\/p>\n

AMSOIL product recommendations<\/h2>\n

Based on the specific requirements for the 1981 Mercedes Benz 240D, AMSOIL provides high-performance synthetic options for engine lubrication, cooling, and transmission maintenance.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Component<\/th>\nAMSOIL Product Name<\/th>\nProduct Code<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine Oil<\/td>\n5W-40 FS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil<\/a><\/td>\nEFMQT-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine Oil<\/td>\n0W-40 FS 100% Synthetic European Motor Oil<\/a><\/td>\nEFOQT-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coolant<\/td>\nPassenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant<\/td>\nANTPC1G-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coolant<\/td>\nPropylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant<\/td>\nANT1G-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automatic Transmission<\/td>\nSignature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic ATF<\/td>\nATFPK-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Automatic Transmission<\/td>\nOE Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic ATF<\/td>\nOTFQT-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Manual Transmission<\/td>\nSignature Series Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic ATF<\/td>\nATFPK-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Manual Transmission<\/td>\nOE Multi-Vehicle 100% Synthetic ATF<\/td>\nOTFQT-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brake Fluid<\/td>\nDOT 3 and DOT 4 100% Synthetic Brake Fluid<\/td>\nBFLVCN-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Steering<\/td>\n100% Synthetic Multi-Vehicle Power Steering Fluid<\/td>\nPSFCN-EA<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Engine Oil Specifications<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Viscosity Range<\/th>\nTemperature Condition<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
0W-30, 0W-40<\/td>\nAll Temperatures<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10W-40<\/td>\nAbove -20\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50<\/td>\nAbove -25\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

AMSOIL lookup oil grade:<\/strong> SEO41<\/p>\n

Engine Oil Capacity and Torque<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
Description<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Capacity (with filter)<\/td>\n6.9 quarts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oil Drain Plug Torque<\/td>\n30 ft\/lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Note: On models equipped with an oil cooler, additional oil may be required when the cooler is drained. Always allow 5 minutes after refilling or turning off the engine before checking the oil level.<\/em><\/p>\n

How much transmission fluid does it take?<\/h2>\n

Transmission capacity depends on whether your vehicle is equipped with an automatic or manual gearbox. For the 4-speed automatic (722.1), the total fill capacity is 6.4 quarts, while the initial fill is 5.1 quarts. The manual transmission requires 3.4 pints of fluid.<\/p>\n

Automatic Transmission (722.1) Capacities<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
Fill Type<\/th>\nCapacity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Fill<\/td>\n6.4 quarts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Initial Fill<\/td>\n5.1 quarts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Manual Transmission Capacities<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n
Component<\/th>\nCapacity<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Manual Transmission (716.005 4-SPD)<\/td>\n3.4 pints<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Coolant and Brake Fluid Specifications<\/h2>\n

Maintaining the cooling system is vital for the OM616 engine. The coolant capacity is 10.6 quarts. For braking systems, the AMSOIL lookup note references using DOT 4 plus or products approved on MB Sheet 331.0.<\/p>\n

Coolant Details<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n
Description<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Capacity<\/td>\n10.6 quarts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

AMSOIL Recommendations:<\/strong>
\n– AMSOIL Passenger Car & Light Truck Antifreeze & Coolant (OAT formulation, 50\/50 pre-mix)
\n– AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant (Concentrated – requires mixing with distilled or high-quality water)<\/p>\n

Brake and Clutch Fluid<\/h3>\n

For the clutch application (Recommended for HB), the notes specify Hydraulic Brake Fluid, DOT 3. For brake applications (Recommended for HBH), use DOT 4 plus or products approved on MB Sheet 331.0.<\/p>\n

Diesel maintenance notes for this vehicle<\/h2>\n