Norm01

I'm not a big fan of how MB writes their service manual, more confusing than anything if you ask me. Would just like to confirm that an 09 C300 would have an oil change interval of 20,000 km and one of the oils of choice would be Mobil 1 0W40 European car formula. Also did not see anything on break in oil, I presently have 5,000 km and would normally do a break in oil change at this time. Comments?

micropower99

I did mine at the 20,000km interval and it's working like a charm. I thought at first it would be too long but the synthetic oil they use nowadays is meant to last a while.

amdeutsch

Yes

You can find all your answer here, at this link

Norm01

Not sure what that was but it's annoying. Would like to see the article though.

Glyn M Ruck

No break in oil used - Use only oils with MB 229.5 approval. Use only Mann + Hummel "fleece" oil filter. 13,000 mile or 20,000 Km oil changes are fine. These cars have excellent filtration & large sumps. Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro formulation is an example of such products. Be careful - other Mobil 1s do not meet MB HTHS requirements (High Temperature High Shear)

For further oils consult

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...Definitive+Oil

micropower99

lol

C300Sport

I agree with the confusing part so I made this spreadsheet. I am going to do my oil at 5K. I would wait a bit longer but I just realized my build date was 16 months ago...little long to be sitting in the crankcase.

451/443=EW

Personaly, I would just wait the 20K before the oil change unless its been parked for along time.

Not to get off topic, a question was asked about why Mb sucks oil out from the top rather then drain from the bottom. Iv discussed this with 3 techs. They all told me its the best way, better then draining from the bottom. They bottom of the pan has a 1/4" lip that actualy prevents all the old oil form draining. The suction of the oil is sealed and it actually suckes the oil from the cylinders and all parts due to the vaccuum presure that is created.

C300Sport

OMG...don't bring that one up...it will take on a life of its own...lol
There are people in both camps (suck and drain) but I think the biggest advantage to suction is the ease of performing the change.

Glyn M Ruck

Good plan - Oil change every 12 months or 20,000Km - Don't worry with the filter though. Plenty of life left & actually does a better job with a little use.

Suck better than drain. Suck fully warmed up.

Norm01

Thanks, like the spreadsheet.

Krytech

+1 - Printed it out for reference and putting it in my file.

Thanks!

hazee

When i bought my car .. it was showing 15000kms in ASSYST PLUS and its decreasing in proportion with the milage increase. How does the computer/engine decides whether its 15000kms or 20000kms. MB says it depends on the driving style but that also is not making any difference ...
Comments???

Glyn M Ruck

America is one of the few markets that is 20,000 Km drain. Anything MB consider to be a torrid zone like Dubai & South Africa & frankly most of ROW is 15,000 Km drain & the Assyst is flashed with 15,000Km

So your car is set at max 15,000Km. If you drive it unreasonably it will Auto reduce that distance. Most vehicles will make the 15,000Km. Driving gently will not increase the drain above 15,000Km

Mtu

GMR,

So I'll need to change my oil every 6,000 miles, not 12,000 while in Tanzania? Should I stick with the 0w40 or? Thanks

Sorry guys for posting in a wrong area, this was for a W203.

Diesel Benz

I'm afraid the flexible service interval has been switched off if gentle driving doesn't give additional miles (or vice versa). I understood US has it turned off these days.

But your comment about the ROW is not accurate, my car shows 25 000 km after service and FSS gave me last time a bit more than 30 000 km service interval. This was on a W221 though.

Perhaps the dealers are not using long life oil or do not program the service counter for long life oil. Then it gives a shorter service interval.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - You are driving a diesel which is 30,000 Km drain interval in Europe with 229.51 oils and 20,000Km max in torrid zones like South Africa & Australia etc. still using 229.51 oils. Yes, the FSS is set differently in these markets for greater durability. Diesel Mercs are no longer sold in the US. I'm well aware of Europes settings on diesels - remember you are using ultra low sulphur diesel as well. I was talking petrol engines only & 229.5 oils only with Mann + Hummel fleece filter. Western Europe is not most of the ROW.

Glyn M Ruck

0W - 40 is still the correct oil viscosity although Merc also approve other grades - see your handbook. With Tanzania's ambient temperature range you don't need the 0W end of the spec & can run approved oils of 5W or 10W - 30 or 40.

In Tanzania your start point for changing would be 9000 miles with fleece filter. If you find that silica levels in the oil are rising above acceptable levels of 12 - 15ppm, then I would drop to 6000 miles. You are going to have to watch your air filtration as well in East Africa - high dust levels.

hazee

What is it?
How to check the status if it is OFF/ON/Not set.
How to turn ON?

Diesel Benz

I don't think one can check this without SDS. I assume FSS is SCN coded but I'm not sure, it would be pretty difficult to change it then.

The simplest way to detect if flexible service interval is active is to follow the miles to next service figure, if it counts equally to the odometer, then the flexible interval is not used.

Glyn M Ruck

Please note that in markets where Benz has mapped the FSS differently they do not want you to exceed 15,000 Km drain interval on petrol engines so there is no point in changing it. Your dealer will likely refuse.

soonplatinum

You already answered your question. "Due to the vacuum pressure" it creates. Less old oil and residue is left in your engine. Yes, less old oil and residue is left behind on your engine's moving parts. I think that a good thing. Because once you refill your engine with new oil, the moment your car starts everything is instantly lubricated at that point. There is no lag time for your oil lubrication.

soonplatinum

You already answered your question. "Due to the vacuum pressure" it creates. Less old oil and residue is left in your engine. Yes, less old oil and residue is left behind on your engine's moving parts. I think that a good thing. Because once you refill your engine with new oil, the moment your car starts everything is instantly lubricated at that point. There is no lag time for your oil lubrication.

W204Sensei

Just a question.. does your spreadsheet applies for 2013 C180 turbo gasoline?

Thanks.