PharmD

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a thread to debate the longevity of Mobil 1 oil in W203/M272's! I know there are numerous in-depth and "techy" discussions on the forum that have addressed that issue already!

It's time for a service A (39K miles) on my '06 C230 SS and I think I'm more than likely just going to do it myself. I have 9 filters waiting to be used and the extractor as well (I've done one change myself already). I assume that if I maintain the receipts, I should have no issues with future warranty claims.

Reasons being:

1.) I refuse to patronize the local MB dealer.
2.) My preferred dealer is 100+ miles away.
3.) I'm taking a 1000+ mile vacation on 8/8-8/15 and would prefer the oil be changed prior.

On a side note of commentary, I find it staggering that MB recommends going some 12K miles between oil changes (A (change) ---~12K miles--> B (change), so forth).

Before I knew of this, I changed the oil in the C230 at 34,848 miles (Mobil 1 0W-40). P.O. had changed it at the previous service interval at the dealer (2XK miles, can't remember exact recommendation). As mentioned, I wasn't aware of the recommended intervals, and having changed the oil every 2.5-3K miles (Mobil 1 5W-30) on my previous Volvo S70 T5, I performed the change at said mileage in the MB. Now, at 39,4XX miles, I'm planning to do another one prior to my "roadtrip". When I removed the previous oil (~5-6K miles on it I presume), it was utterly filthy. Would all of you do this as well, or am I being overly ****? I hate to put that many miles on the car with sludge-esque oil in it when I can easily change it myself prior to the trip, yet I hate to blow money on the oil if it really isn't going to be deleterious to drive on it as-is...

Getting to the main discussion point of this thread, where is everyone getting their Mobil 1 0W-40 oil now? I have located it at Advance Auto Parts (I despise that place - I will not buy oil there, or anything else) as well as Autozone, but only available in 1 quart bottles for $6.99. I've checked with numerous Wal-Mart stores who apparently no longer stock the 0W-40 in any size and also claim they cannot special order oils. Even on the internet, the 0W-40 is scarce. I've sourced it a few other places, but prices have been consistently higher than $6.99/quart, often with shipping being additional. What ever happened to Mobil 1 being around $6/quart (or less) with the 5Qt jugs around $22?! Sheesh!

For all the DIY oil-changers, where are you picking up yours now?

Thanks for the input and commentary.

Stephen

Jon2007E63P30

I have been still getting mine from WalMart.

You could also go with 5W-40 ESP Formula M (even more scarce) and can get it here http://www.avlube.com/mo1espfom5wc.html . They also carry 0W-40.

As for prices, I think $6/qt will be a thing of the past. Prices are moving up.

dnlow

Autozone and Checker auto is where I get my oil. I usually see if either one of them is having a special. Usually they are not and I pay $7 each.

If you are concerned about the oil life get a sample tested at your next change. I am a bit concerned also, that is why I am going to get a sample checked at my next change.

PharmD

I think I might consider the same thing. I've never had a sample analyzed (based on my recent driving styles, let alone in the C230) which includes largely 7-8 miles to/from work, 6-7 of which are 60-70MPH interstate travel.

Like you, Autozone looks like where I'll be picking up my next batch of Mobil 1.

mleskovar

The oil should have no problem lasting 13K miles, it's the filter that fails. See threads on paper vs. fleece filters for your engine type. Replacing just the filter at 6K and oil at 12K should be fine. Glad to see you are going to do an oil analysis, it's the only way you can have true peace of mind over change intervals. I last paid $6.99 a quart for M1.

Glyn M Ruck

& replacing the filter at 6000 is also a waste of time. The used filter does a better job than a new one and will easily go 13,000 miles. Fleece filters are easily good enough for 20,000 miles so 13,000 is very safe.

PharmD

That's what I had reviewed in a past thread you had commented in - very useful information, by the way!

mleskovar

I thought the 4 cylinder filters were all paper? Am I wrong?

advans

I just get mine from Autozone, you guys use maybe 7qts? I use 9qts!

PharmD

2006-07 C230 (2.5L V6) takes 9 Qts.

mleskovar

Ooops, my bad. I thought the V6 230 started with the '07 year. Your filter should be fleece and good to go for the 13k miles.

advans

haha really!?

PharmD

That's what I said the first time I went to change the oil! It's overall capacity might be in the neighborhood of 9.5Qts (roughly - correct me if I'm wrong) and the extractor sucked exactly 9Qts used oil out last time I changed it.

LILBENZ230

8.9 quarts, I believe.

The M272 should have a fleece filter available readily. Us M271 owners seem stuck with paper for good. As long as you use the fleece filter and MB229.5 approved oil (and you are), then you're good for the 13k intervals. Changing it more often is a waste of time, money, and resources.

91RS

The 0W-40 I have came from Napa, but I don't know how much it costed because I "traded" some 5W-30 I had for it. I'm overly **** about my fluids. I'm probably going to change my oil every 5k miles or one year. I don't live that far away from work and I have two vehicles to drive so it really doesn't bother me to change it "early."

advans

was it 9 qts WITH or without the filter?

91RS

The capacity of the M272 is 8.5qts with filter change.

skittles

yo! ive got a full pallet supply of the 5w40M and a few cases of hengst oil filters. lol! i used to work at ac delco and they liquidated this grade. lol! i took to storage the whole lot! lol!

dnlow

It should state in your manual that one year should be the longest interval you should follow if you are not putting that many miles on the car.

iblaho

My experience: I have the same engine. 8.5 qt in the manual and that amount isused at the dealership. Experience says it is just right (dipstick, dashboard messge, travel intervals). Mobile 0w 40 oil is sold everywhere in my area for about $6.99. Burns up to 2 qt every 13k, my interval for changing. ** My oil turns a little dark after a change, and doesn't get much darker at the 13k mark. Have yours analyzed? Hate to suggest this, but on a prior vehicle I suspected that the black oil was the reslt of the shop forgetting to change it.

PharmD

Interesting feedback, guys. I again must reiterate I appreciate the thought-out input and provided experience(s) from you all. At this point, I'm leaning towards perhaps just checking the level/condition of the oil and adding as needed. I haven't driven the car hard on the approximately 5K miles this oil & fleece filter have been in the car and based on what I've read here and elsewhere, it just isn't necessary to change it yet. The only pull towards changing it now PRIOR to the trip is that I can have it analyzed at pretty much exactly 5K miles and my normal driving style. Putting 1000+ miles on the car on this nearly totally highway driving trip could skew the condition of the oil at 6K total miles from what it would normally be at 6K miles.

Make sense, or is that mid-day drowsiness babble?

mleskovar

Why not take a sample now without changing the oil? It's just a couple of ounces you can draw up through the tube.

PharmD

I guess I hadn't considered that.

That will probably be the plan!

TemjinX2

the factory 12k is based on assumption your doing half highway and half city. if your doing mostly city then i would change it a littler earliar. If your doing mostly highway you can probably do it a little later.

Either way, it won't hurt the engine if you change it a little earliar. I usually change my oil at around 7k but i beat on my car a little more the others on this forum...IE canyon runs etc.