tommyt77v1

Hi guys, im a new owner of a used 1999 C280, I would definitely like to do my own maintenance if possible. What kind of maintenance do you guys do at home? Or what kind of maintenance is OK to be done at home?

henry47

you can change your own oil, check your brakes, check your fluids...etc

sph17

You can do whatever you feel comfortable doing. In addition to above, you might consider changing brake pads, rotors, air & cabin filters.

blackmercedes

On my 1998 C230 every time the FSS counts down 5000kms (3K-miles) I:

Change the oil and filter
Check all fluid levels
Check tires and pressures

Every third oil change (FSS comes to zero):

Change oil and filter
Change cabin dust filter
Change engine air filter
Check all fluid levels (brake fluid for colour too, coolant for level and condition)
Check tires and pressures
Check brake pad thickness
Check brake disc thickness
Reset FSS
Check underside of car:
Exhaust
Front flex disc
Check for leaks (engine, trans, final drive)
Check for worn (cracked) bushings
Check for leaks on the shocks
Top up battery

You cannot check the trans fluid level as it has no dipstick. Don't bother buying a dipstick as there is no need to check the fluid level unless a leak is found.

Every other spring the car goes to the dealer and has the brake fluid and coolant changed. Those jobs are very inexpensive at my local dealer and worth it for me to have someone else do it.

Despite "long life" spark plugs, I change them every 60K-kms (40K-miles) or so.

I just changed the poly-v belt and carry a spare in the spare tire well, along with an E-10 socket and handle in the tool kit.

At about every 80k-km's (50K-miles) I change the final drive oil, and again that's a cheap job I have the dealer do.

Every 100K-km's (60k-miles) I have the dealer service the transmission. This is something I'll always have them do. The fluid level is critical and must be set with the fluid temp at 80C. The dealer charges me an hour's labour so I don't mind paying for this tricky job.

With a few tools you can also change your own brake pads when they wear out, as this is pretty simple on a Mercedes.

My own service plan, others may be different...

merclover

you can also fit your own future body mods, um..change bulbs? air filter, MAS sensor (If it fails) etc etc if u dedicate yourself with the car and get to know every piece of that machine, you will save big money which otherwise would spend on the dealership. you can also get instructions or advice on how to do certain things from this forum anytime.

nafees1941

how to change cabin dust filter on e-320 1998

YNVDIZW124

^^ that's a w210.....


With enough tools you can do whatever you want.

AcousticplayerJ

If you'd like to do your own work, look on ebay for a w202 haynes manual. It goes into pretty good detail about how to service most things in and on your car. I spent about $40 on a hard-cover edition of mine and it has been well worth it. I have easily saved myself hundreds through the work I've done myself as opposed to at the stealership. However, there are many things I will still have the dealer do since I don't have all the tools I would need, nor the room to do serious work.