Oil change interval question?
 

Checked my oil today as I've got 10XXX miles on the car since new in August '07. At anyrate I tried to find the interval for oil changes or first one for that matter in the owners manual, swear I saw it in there when we first got the car said something like 12K or 13K does anyone know for sure what it is? The oil looked pretty black this morning and I'm worried. First car I've ever owned that required such a long oil change interval.

Thanks in advance

-Ryan

13k

1yr, 13.5K - whichever comes first.

I leased my car, so I'm not too concerned about the interval. But for those who own their cars, do you plan on following this interval? Our ML320CDI is 10K, but we still change it at 5K - as the synthetic oil looks awful by that time.

I am sorry but don't US versions display Service in X miles on instrument cluster / service menu?

EDIT: It's usual for synthetic oil to look black at oil changes

if you don't fallow your inteval service you could void the warranty regarless if you are leasing

depending the setup (mls or klm)

If it does, why would anyone be worried about oil change intervals, just check the service menu.

+1 synthetic looks black almost right after you change it. Despite all the literature to the contrary, I have a hard time going more than 5k between synthetic oil changes. Same is true of "lifetime fill" synthetic transmission fluid. I just don't believe it. What happens to all the worn clutch material suspended in the oil? I guess I'm just an old fogey.

Have been using synthetic oils since 1984 in all cars, but have always changed at 3-5K intervals. With this new Mercedes, I have decided to go with the factory recommended 13K interval, instead. If you are really concerned, then have your oil lab-tested. For more info on oil, go to this site: www.bobistheoilguy.com

Im just about to hit 10k... now im worried :D

:ditto:

The color of the oil has absolutely NO relation to the quality or remaining "life" of the oil. If you really wanted to know how well the oil is holding up, send in a sample to get a used oil analysis (UOA).

FWIW, Mercedes has been doing 10,000 mile intervals since MY1998 when the FSS was introduced. I'm not sure what the intervals were before that. Changing the oil before the recommend interval is just throwing away money.

Oil condition
 

<< Our ML320CDI is 10K, but we still change it at 5K - as the synthetic oil looks awful by that time.>>

Diesels turn the fresh oil black right away and this is not an indicator for an oil change. This your first diesel?

Lifetime?
 

<<........ Same is true of "lifetime fill" synthetic transmission fluid. I just don't believe it. What happens to all the worn clutch material suspended in the oil? >>

Mercedes dropped the "lifetime trans fluid" idea in 1995 and since then they say change it at 39K miles.

fwiw, I'll be changing mine every 5k or so, even with synthetic.
Thats what I did with my 05.

Oil is cheap. I change my own oil. Throw it on the lift, 10 min later, done.

I'm going to change mine every 10,000Km. Better safe than sorry in the long run, I feel 20,000Km intervals is just way too long.

Regards,

Daniel

do you think it will void the warranty if you just change the oil and rotate the tires as opposed to doing the service A & B?

Especially if you plan on keeping the car. I asked the trustworthy techs and they all advised 5000 miles if she's a keeper.

If you're leasing, do the minimum intervals.

Dino oils can go up to 5,000 miles now, why can't/shouldn't synthetics be able to go longer with no issues? Techs can advise you on what they feel is appropriate for the general Mercedes "population". Only a UOA can tell you what is appropriate for your engine. If a UOA reveals that your engine can handle over 10,000 miles of synthetic oil use, you just wasted two times the amount of money you should have spent, and for no real added benefit. This could be hundreds or even thousands. Take it for what it's worth; there are plenty of analyses to refute what many techs have said.

That may be true, but I don't mind it. 1 oil change per year is nothing for me.
I have a lift, and the parts guys give me filters for free. I also buy oil in bulk for my construction company, so it doesn't cost me much at all.

I like to get underneath the car once a year and check everything out.

The "A” service is an option and is free :)
The "B" service is a must; if an engine internal failure happens to you car and MB will void your warranty for negligence or just for using the wrong oil, I tell you this because I see it every day.

Does your construction company stock MB-rated synthetic oil?:confused:

Advantages
The technical advantages of synthetic motor oils include:
• Measurably better low and high temperature viscosity performance
• Better chemical & shear stability
• Decreased evaporative loss
• Resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown and oil sludge problems
• Extended drain intervals with the environmental benefit of less wastes oil created

^+1
:rolf:

And for additional opinions, click here:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...550&highlight=