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Engine Lubrication, Basic Function - GF18.00-P-1003A

Engine All (4xWD) 

Engine All (CAR) 

Overview 

This document contains information on:

General 

The engine lubrication system basically does the following:

Primary objective of engine lubrication is to minimize the wear of the friction partners. Engine lubrication takes place through engine oil.

Function requirements 

Function 

Wet-sump lubrication 

Wet-sump lubrication covers the following lubrication types:

The oil pressure pump sucks the engine oil from the oil pan under the crank assembly and pumps it under pressure to the following components:

The oil pan has the following functions:

The oil filter prevents combustion residue, metal abrasion and dust from getting into the oil. The engine oil heat exchanger is connected to the cooling circuit; and is primarily responsible for cooling the engine oil.

IMPORTANT The coolant heats up more quickly than the engine oil. The waste heat from the coolant is used for heating up the engine oil more quickly.

Oil-pressure regulation 

The oil pressure pump is driven directly or indirectly by the crankshaft, i. e., the oil pressure pump is engine-speed-dependent. If the engine speed is too high, the oil pressure pump generates excess oil pressure, i. e. the actual amount of oil delivered is greater than what is needed. Pressure limitation/regulation is implemented via an overpressure valve or an additionally installed control valve in the oil circuit/on the oil pressure pump. The excess engine oil is pumped via a bypass back to the intake channel or oil pan. Alternatively, the oil pressure can be regulated by a controllable oil pressure pump that adjusts the oil delivery quantity as a function of the pressure. This lowers the power loss of the engine oil pumps and the resulting power loss of the engine.

IMPORTANT The oil pressure switch is used for permanently monitoring the lubrication system. The response pressure of the oil pressure switch is generally between 2 and 4 bar.

IMPORTANT The pressure regulating valve is actuated in a map-dependent manner with a ground signal from the motor control module and regulates the engine oil flow volume. The two compression stages 2 and 4 bar are switched between in a demand-dependent manner.

To achieve the greatest possible fuel savings, the pressure switchover now includes the following functions:

Piston heating function:

During a cold start, the engine oil temperature is low, i. e., the engine oil is highly viscous. When the combustion engine is started with low oil pressure, the pistons heat up more quickly.

Oil heating function:

Following operation of the piston heating function, the engine is run for a certain time with a high oil pressure. The spray oil cooling of the piston crown activated in this way causes rapid warming of the engine oil. Therefore oil has a low viscosity quicker and the friction power in the engine drops. Thus fuel is saved directly.

Following operation of the piston heating function, the engine is run for a certain time with a high oil pressure. The spray oil cooling of the piston crown activated in this way causes rapid warming of the engine oil. Therefore oil has a low viscosity quicker and the friction power in the engine drops. This helps to save fuel.

Peak/hold function:

To reduce the power consumption of the oil pressure pump, the pressure regulating valve is activated by means of a peak/hold function.

The crankshaft bearings are supplied with engine oil via the oil ducts.

From the crankshaft bearings, the following are components are supplied with engine oil through holes in the crankshaft:

IMPORTANT The peak/hold function is a function for saving a maximum achieved value.

The engine oil flows under gravitational force back to the oil pan.

In addition to the direct oil supply by the oil pressure pump, the rotational movement of the crankshaft results in fine preparation of the oil mist in the crankcase. The pistons are cooled by means of a switchable oil-spray nozzle.

Dry-sump lubrication 

Wet-sump lubrication covers the following components:

The oil pan is replaced by an external oil reservoir, which acts as a storage tank. In addition to the oil pressure pump, which is required for engine lubrication, another oil pump - the oil suction pump - is installed. The oil suction pump sucks engine oil permanently from the crank chamber and cylinder head. The engine oil that has been sucked out is fed continuously to the external oil reservoir. The oil pressure pump pumps the engine oil from the external oil reservoir back to the crankcase.

As a result of the dry sump lubrication, the engine lubrication is supplied with oil in the following driving situations:

Dry-sump lubrication has the following benefits:

  Additional basic functions     
  Oil pump valve, basic function   GF18.10-P-2000A
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  Detailed information     
  Engine lubrication, detailed information Engine 256 GF18.00-P-1101A
    Engine 254 GF18.00-P-1101B
  Component descriptions     
  Shutoff valve for oil spray nozzles, component description Engine 656 in model 223 GF18.30-P-2012A
    Engine 654 in model 206 GF18.30-P-2012C
  Engine oil pressure and temperature sensor, component description Engine 256 in model 223 GF18.40-P-4102A
    Engine 254 in model 206
Engine 654 in model 206
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    Engine 139 in model 206
Engine 254 in model 206
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