Mercedes-Benz GLC Oil Type & Capacity by Year (2016–2026 Complete Guide)

The right engine oil keeps your Mercedes-Benz GLC running the way Stuttgart engineered it to. The trick is that the correct oil for your GLC depends on your model year — Mercedes has shifted from 0W-40 / MB 229.5 in the original 2016–2019 GLC to 0W-20 / MB 229.71 in the current 2023–2026 GLC, with a transition era in between where multiple specs are accepted. Use the wrong viscosity or the wrong Mercedes-Benz approval, and you risk reduced fuel economy, accelerated engine wear, or warranty issues. This guide breaks down the verified oil type, capacity, and change interval for every Mercedes-Benz GLC sold in the US from 2016 through 2026 — from the GLC 300 to the AMG GLC 43, GLC 63, and GLC 350e plug-in hybrid.

Quick Lookup — GLC Oil Specs by Engine Generation (2016–2026)

If you know your model year, this master table gives you the answer at a glance — find your year in the engine row that covers it. Detailed explanations of each engine generation follow below.

Master Reference — By Engine Generation

Notes on lineup gaps and transitions:

• The X253 first-generation GLC platform ran from 2016 through 2022 in the US. The redesigned X254 second-generation launched as a 2023 model.
• GLC 350e PHEV was sold in the US for 2018–2020 model years, then discontinued. It returned for 2025 with an entirely new powertrain. No GLC 350e was sold in the US for 2021–2024.
• AMG GLC 63 V8 was canceled in the US after the 2021 model year when Mercedes paused production of nearly all V8 AMG models. The AMG GLC 43 V6 continued through 2022 as the final X253 AMG variant. No AMG GLC variants were available in the US for 2023.
• X254-platform GLCs (2023–present) require 0W-20 with MB 229.71 specifically — earlier 0W-40 / MB 229.5 oils are not interchangeable on these engines because of the gasoline particulate filter.

2023–2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254 Platform)

The current-generation GLC, in production since model year 2023, uses Mercedes-Benz’s M254 2.0-liter mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine in the GLC 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC. The 2025–2026 GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid uses a closely related M254-family engine. All three call for a fully synthetic 0W-20 motor oil meeting Mercedes-Benz Approval 229.71 — a low-SAPS specification developed for newer turbocharged engines with gasoline particulate filters and 48-volt mild-hybrid systems.

The AMG GLC 43 (2024+) and AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE (2025+) are built around Affalterbach’s hand-assembled M139l 2.0-liter engine. Mercedes-Benz’s M139 specification sheet lists 0W-20 / MB 229.71 as the primary recommended oil — the same as the GLC 300. AMG also factory-approves 0W-40 meeting MB 229.5 (sold as “AMG High Performance Oil”), which many dealers use for vehicles driven hard in warm climates.

For the GLC 300, GLC 300 4MATIC, and GLC 350e (M254-family engines), oil capacity is approximately 7 quarts (about 6.6 liters) including a new oil filter — confirmed by Mercedes-Benz parts departments servicing current X254 platform vehicles. The genuine OEM oil filter for these engines is part 254-184-06-00, which fits the entire current GLC family plus other Mercedes vehicles in the M254/M139 family.

2020–2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (X253 Platform with M264 Engine)

When Mercedes refreshed the GLC for 2020, they replaced the M274 engine with the M264 — a 2.0-liter turbo four with 48-volt mild-hybrid integration, more horsepower (255 hp vs the prior 241 hp), and updated emissions hardware. With the new engine came a major change in oil specification.

The 2020–2022 GLC 300 owner’s manual lists four acceptable Mercedes-Benz oil approvals: MB 229.51, MB 229.52, MB 229.61, or MB 229.71. All four are low-SAPS specifications that protect emissions components. Mercedes flags MB 229.71 (typically 0W-20) as the recommended choice for best fuel economy, while MB 229.51 and 229.52 (typically 0W-30, 5W-30, or 5W-40) offer better wear protection for spirited driving or hot climates. Either category is factory-approved — owners can choose based on driving style and climate.

Oil capacity for the 2020–2022 GLC 300 is approximately 6.3 quarts (6.0 liters) with the filter. This is notably less than the older M274 era because the M264’s oil pan and cooling architecture were redesigned. The genuine OEM filter for the M264-equipped GLC is part 270-180-01-09 (shared with 2016–2019 GLC 300 and 2018–2020 GLC 350e variants).

Note: Pre-2020 oils meeting only MB 229.5 (full-SAPS) are NOT approved for the M264 engine — they can damage the emissions hardware over time and may affect warranty coverage.

2016–2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 (X253 Platform with M274 Engine)

The original X253-generation GLC 300 launched in 2016 with the M274 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower. This engine predates Mercedes’ shift to low-SAPS oils and uses the older, more widely available MB 229.5 specification.

Recommended oil for the 2016–2019 GLC 300 is fully synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 meeting MB Approval 229.5. Common factory-approved options include Mobil 1 FS 0W-40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro L, and Castrol EDGE Euro Car. The owner’s manual provides a viscosity-vs-temperature graph; 0W-40 is preferred for cold climates and 5W-40 for warmer regions.

Oil capacity differs by drivetrain on this generation:

• GLC 300 RWD: Approximately 7.4 quarts (7.0 liters) with the filter
• GLC 300 4MATIC: Approximately 6.9 quarts (6.5 liters) with the filter

The 4MATIC variant holds less oil because the front differential’s drive shaft passes through the oil pan, reducing pan volume. Always confirm your drivetrain before purchasing oil for a DIY service. The OEM oil filter for the 2016–2019 GLC 300 is the same part used through the M264 era: 270-180-01-09.

AMG GLC 43 (2017–2022) and AMG GLC 63 (2018–2021) X253 Era

The first-generation AMG GLC variants used different, more performance-oriented engines than the standard GLC 300, and they require different oil.

AMG GLC 43 (2017–2022)

The original AMG GLC 43 was powered by Mercedes’ M276 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 362 horsepower in early years and 385 horsepower after the 2020 refresh. This engine uses fully synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 meeting MB 229.5 — the same oil family as the standard 2016–2019 GLC 300 but in a different capacity.

Oil capacity: approximately 7.4 quarts (7.0 liters) with the filter. The OEM oil filter for the M276 V6 in the AMG GLC 43 is genuine Mercedes part 276-180-00-09, which also fits the C43 AMG and other M276-equipped Mercedes vehicles of the same era.

AMG GLC 63 / 63 S (2018–2021)

The flagship AMG GLC 63 (and GLC 63 S) used Affalterbach’s hand-assembled M177 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 — the same legendary V8 found in the AMG C63, E63, and G63 of the same era. The base GLC 63 produced 469 horsepower; the GLC 63 S delivered a snarling 503 horsepower.

Like its V8 siblings, the M177 in the GLC 63 takes fully synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 meeting MB 229.5 (or MB 229.51 in some markets), with a substantially larger capacity to support the V8’s cooling and lubrication demands: approximately 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) with the filter. AMG owners often use Mercedes-branded oil (which is repackaged Mobil 1) or premium European-spec alternatives like Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech. The OEM oil filter for the M177 V8 is genuine Mercedes part 177-180-01-10, shared across the broader AMG 63 family including the C63, E63, GLE63, and G63.

The AMG GLC 63 V8 was canceled in the US after the 2021 model year as Mercedes paused V8 production across nearly the entire AMG 63 lineup. The AMG GLC 43 V6 continued for one more year as the final X253 AMG GLC variant, ending after 2022. AMG returned to the US GLC lineup with the new 2024 AMG GLC 43, followed by the 2025 AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE plug-in hybrid — both built on the X254 platform with hand-assembled M139l 2.0-liter engines.

GLC 350e Plug-In Hybrid (2018–2020 and 2025–2026)

The GLC 350e has had two distinct US lifecycles, with a four-year gap in between.

The first-generation GLC 350e (model years 2018–2020) used the M274 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor. Like the contemporary GLC 300 of the same era, it requires fully synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 meeting MB 229.5, with a capacity around 6.9 quarts. It uses the same oil filter (part 270-180-01-09) as the standard GLC 300 of the same generation. Mercedes discontinued the 350e after 2020 in the US and didn’t bring it back for four model years.

The current-generation GLC 350e (model years 2025–2026) returned with an entirely new powertrain: a 2.0-liter M254-family engine paired with an electric motor producing 313 hp combined and an EPA-estimated 54 miles of all-electric range. It uses the same 0W-20 / MB 229.71 specification as the modern GLC 300, with the same approximately 7-quart capacity and the same oil filter (part 254-184-06-00). Despite the plug-in hybrid configuration, oil change procedure mirrors the standard GLC 300 — though intervals may extend slightly under heavy EV-mode usage where the engine sees less runtime.

How Often Should You Change Your GLC’s Oil?

Across all GLC generations from 2016 to 2026, Mercedes-Benz recommends changing the engine oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. Your vehicle’s onboard ASSYST service interval system may shorten that interval based on actual driving conditions. Common patterns that trigger earlier service alerts include:

• Frequent short trips that don’t allow the engine to reach full operating temperature
• Heavy stop-and-go traffic (a familiar pattern for drivers around Chula Vista and inland San Diego)
• Towing, sustained high-load driving, or extended high-RPM operation
• Cold-start patterns in cooler months

Trust the ASSYST indicator over the calendar — it’s calibrated to your specific driving profile. AMG owners and tuned vehicles often shorten the interval voluntarily to 5,000 miles for added margin, particularly for the M177 V8 and M139l hand-built engines.

Why the Right Oil Specification Matters

Mercedes’ shift across multiple oil specifications since 2016 isn’t arbitrary — each generation’s engine architecture demands specific lubricant chemistry:

1. The 2016–2019 M274 engine uses full-SAPS oil (MB 229.5) because it lacks a gasoline particulate filter. Heavier additives are fine and provide strong wear protection.
2. The 2020–2022 M264 and 2023–2026 M254 engines require low-SAPS oils (the 229.51/.52/.61/.71 family) because they have GPFs and tighter emissions tolerances. Using older 229.5 oil in these engines can clog the GPF and trigger emissions faults.
3. The thin 0W-20 viscosity in current GLCs benefits the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which stops and restarts the engine frequently. A 0W-20 synthetic circulates faster on each restart, reducing dry-start wear on the turbocharger.
4. The 10,000-mile drain interval is only safe with a fully synthetic oil that resists oxidation and shear over the full service window. Conventional or blended oils degrade well before that point on any GLC.

Using oil that doesn’t meet your specific year’s MB approval may also affect warranty coverage on the powertrain.

Genuine OEM Oil Filter Part Numbers by Engine

Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon stocks all four genuine Mercedes-Benz oil filters above plus matching MB-approved synthetic oil for every GLC generation. Bring your VIN to our parts department and we’ll match the correct filter and oil to your specific vehicle.

Schedule Your GLC Oil Service at Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon

Whether you’re driving a 2016 first-generation GLC 300 or a brand-new 2026 AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE, Mercedes-Benz of El Cajon is the trusted choice for drivers from El Cajon to La Mesa, Bonita, Chula Vista, San Diego, and Escondido. We use only Mercedes-Benz-approved synthetic motor oils — matched to your specific year and trim — and genuine OEM oil filters validated for your engine. Our factory-trained technicians follow the documented service procedure for each variant, reset your maintenance interval correctly, and keep your warranty intact.

Have questions about the right oil for your specific GLC, or want to confirm the exact spec for your VIN? Contact our service center or call us at (888) 837-5892.

Disclaimer: Oil specifications, capacities, and filter part numbers in this guide are based on Mercedes-Benz technical documentation, OEM parts catalogs, and trusted automotive references as of May 2026, and may vary by VIN, region, package options, or mid-year production updates. Always consult your owner’s manual or contact our service department to confirm the correct oil type, viscosity, MB approval, and capacity for your specific vehicle before performing service. Capacities shown are approximate; verify actual fill by dipstick per Mercedes-Benz procedure. Warranty coverage terms vary — consult your Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty documentation for full coverage details, exclusions, and requirements, and have all service performed by a Mercedes-Benz Certified Technician to protect your warranty. EPA-estimated electric range figures are based on EPA testing methodology; actual range will vary with driving conditions, climate, vehicle condition, and driver behavior.