Horrible mileage after oil change
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
Yeah. This whole ordeal really opened my eyes. Thanks again everyone.
I'll buy the extractor and do it myself next time, I'll try and convince the caretaker since the extractor shouldn't make any mess. I'll use the 0w30 stuff as well. I should get more familiar with this car and do everything myself, it seems you can't find too many honest salesman anymore.
edit: Do shops automatically replace the copper washer on the drain plug? I bought one and brought it to my first shop where they put the diesel oil. I'm not even sure they used it cause I had to ask, and the guy had to look down at at the plug and told me it was done. You'd think he'd know since he did it. I hope the second shop did it, cause I didn't see it on my bill. I wouldn't want this oil leaking =(
I'll buy the extractor and do it myself next time, I'll try and convince the caretaker since the extractor shouldn't make any mess. I'll use the 0w30 stuff as well. I should get more familiar with this car and do everything myself, it seems you can't find too many honest salesman anymore.
edit: Do shops automatically replace the copper washer on the drain plug? I bought one and brought it to my first shop where they put the diesel oil. I'm not even sure they used it cause I had to ask, and the guy had to look down at at the plug and told me it was done. You'd think he'd know since he did it. I hope the second shop did it, cause I didn't see it on my bill. I wouldn't want this oil leaking =(
Last edited by JamesKim; Nov 1, 2012 at 02:09 AM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The copper washer can usually take a few services. If you took it to a Benz dealership they would frequently thow away the plug if drained from below. The plugs are microencapsulated with sealant & intended to be used once.
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2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Ok, I got the oil change done. When I got the receipt it showed 5w30, so I asked them why they put that one in. They told me that they didn't, and it was a mistake because they somehow add something to make the viscosity go from 5w40 to 5w30 to put into Volvo vehicles. They didn't use the diluted one for mine, but the computer automatically put 5w30. They corrected it, but that sounds kind of fishy. Can you really change viscosity from 5w40 to 5w30?....
Based on their magic mixing of oils, how confident are you that you got the right oil? Is this a Volvo Indy shop?
Hate to say it, but why didn't you listen to me .... bring in Castrol 0W-30 ? Again, 40% of the global approved oils are 0/5W-30, and 60% are 0/5W-40, so the 30 weight oils are well represented.
.
Last edited by kevink2; Nov 1, 2012 at 12:06 PM.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
No, you can't change an "approved by Volvo" 5W-40 to an approved 5W-30. This shop must have a great deal with that Advant oil distributer, but if those Volvos have an engine oil related problem, it will be on that shop for using a home brew 5W-30 that is not approved.
Based on their magic mixing of oils, how confident are you that you got the right oil? Is this a Volvo Indy shop?
Hate to say it, but why didn't you listen to me .... bring in Castrol 0W-30 ? Again, 40% of the global approved oils are 0/5W-30, and 60% are 0/5W-40, so the 30 weight oils are well represented.
.
Based on their magic mixing of oils, how confident are you that you got the right oil? Is this a Volvo Indy shop?
Hate to say it, but why didn't you listen to me .... bring in Castrol 0W-30 ? Again, 40% of the global approved oils are 0/5W-30, and 60% are 0/5W-40, so the 30 weight oils are well represented.
.
I even brought them a piece of paper. They said that's what they did, so I'm taking their word for it I guess. I can't think of a good reason for them to lie to me.This oil change plus the other oil shop that gave me the diesel oil ended up costing me 200, and the other shop is not responding to me right now, so I ended up spending more than I would've if I just went to the dealer. Lesson learned I guess. Gotta do it yourself somehow.
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'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
I'll give you a good reason: they don't want to stock multiple oil grades, so they just buy the 5w-30 in bulk and put it in all cars they service, regardless whether that's the correct oil for a car or not. To the customers that question it, they tell this little story that they mix/dilute oil to get them off their back. I have NEVER heard of any shop mixing their own oil, EVER.
The truth is that a common 5w-30 grade will work fine in majority of cars these days, but may not be optimal if it doesn't adhere to particular mfg specs such as MB 229.5 or BMW LL-01. Very few commonly found in 5w-30 oils in North America do. And your car is under warranty, so you should not be experimenting with stuff like that.
The truth is that a common 5w-30 grade will work fine in majority of cars these days, but may not be optimal if it doesn't adhere to particular mfg specs such as MB 229.5 or BMW LL-01. Very few commonly found in 5w-30 oils in North America do. And your car is under warranty, so you should not be experimenting with stuff like that.
Last edited by Pete7874; Nov 1, 2012 at 04:16 PM.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
I'll give you a good reason: they don't want to stock multiple oil grades, so they just buy the 5w-30 in bulk and put it in all cars they service, regardless whether that's the correct oil for a car or not. To the customers that question it, they tell this little story that they mix/dilute oil to get them off their back. I have NEVER heard of any shop mixing their own oil, EVER.
The truth is that a common 5w-30 grade will work fine in majority of cars these days, but may not be optimal if it doesn't adhere to particular mfg specs such as MB 229.5 or BMW LL-01. Very few commonly found in 5w-30 oils in North America do. And your car is under warranty, so you should not be experimenting with stuff like that.
The truth is that a common 5w-30 grade will work fine in majority of cars these days, but may not be optimal if it doesn't adhere to particular mfg specs such as MB 229.5 or BMW LL-01. Very few commonly found in 5w-30 oils in North America do. And your car is under warranty, so you should not be experimenting with stuff like that.
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
How did you find this shop? Did it come recommended? Ask around on one of the regional forums here - people should be able to point you to a reputable indy shop that doesn't cut corners. Alas, as was mentioned before, a reputable indy shop isn't necessarily a whole lot cheaper than MB service dept. Sometimes it just makes sense to stick with the dealer - this way you only have one throat to choke should anything go wrong and push comes to shove and you need some warranty work done.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
Did they show you the bottle?
How did you find this shop? Did it come recommended? Ask around on one of the regional forums here - people should be able to point you to a reputable indy shop that doesn't cut corners. Alas, as was mentioned before, a reputable indy shop isn't necessarily a whole lot cheaper than MB service dept. Sometimes it just makes sense to stick with the dealer - this way you only have one throat to choke should anything go wrong and push comes to shove and you need some warranty work done.
How did you find this shop? Did it come recommended? Ask around on one of the regional forums here - people should be able to point you to a reputable indy shop that doesn't cut corners. Alas, as was mentioned before, a reputable indy shop isn't necessarily a whole lot cheaper than MB service dept. Sometimes it just makes sense to stick with the dealer - this way you only have one throat to choke should anything go wrong and push comes to shove and you need some warranty work done.
140 vs 180, I'll stick to the dealer if I absolutely can't do my own oil change.
No, they didn't show me the bottle. I asked them to save my old oil and they did it in a Castrol bottle (not the edge), I really hope they didn't put that in there. I don't think a shop would outright lie about what oil they used. I think I'm going to do my next oil change much quicker. Probably when spring comes.
Last edited by JamesKim; Nov 1, 2012 at 11:05 PM.
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From: Houston
C350
Am I missing something? Should it be 12.4 km/l to 15-16km/l. This is getting better mileage after oil change. No way you get 12.4 l/km , it is 1240 liter per 100 km , worse than tank.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
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I asked them to save my old oil and they did it in a Castrol bottle (not the edge),
.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
If that shop put the right oil filter in (fleese type) I think it's ok to bring them the approved Castrol 0W-30, which is what it done to the 2008 C300 4MATIC. That way you can buy and accumulate the oil as it goes on sale. If you WANT to change your own oil, we can set you up for that, and you have to bring the ould oil to place that takes it.
Great, If the gas milage increases with 5W-40 in the belly, it's worth seeing what molases thay put in there!
.
Great, If the gas milage increases with 5W-40 in the belly, it's worth seeing what molases thay put in there!
.
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From: Canada
2011 C250 4matic
Update: The original shop that put the ADVANT engine oil is now telling me that Valvoline 5W40 MST can meet both 229.5 and 229.51, and he does have that oil. I think he's trying to offer me a next oil change or something. The official Mercedes listing only has MST approved for 229.51, but not for 229.5.
However, Valvoline is claiming on their website that it can meet both 229.51 and 229.5, which is confusing the hell out of me.
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf
Second page of that PDF. I told him since Mercedes officially doesn't acknowledge that MST can meet both, but only for 229.51, it's still no good for my warranty.
However, Valvoline is claiming on their website that it can meet both 229.51 and 229.5, which is confusing the hell out of me.
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf
Second page of that PDF. I told him since Mercedes officially doesn't acknowledge that MST can meet both, but only for 229.51, it's still no good for my warranty.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
James - I replied to your PM.
No - he is talking crap note from page 2 that
Synpower MST meets 229,51 Ash 0.78
& Synpower HST meets 229.5 Ash 1.26
No one product can meet both specs.
No - he is talking crap note from page 2 that
Synpower MST meets 229,51 Ash 0.78
& Synpower HST meets 229.5 Ash 1.26
No one product can meet both specs.
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Agreed with Glyn. Synpower HST 5w-40 is what you need, but this product is not sold in the US at retail level. It is only available in 55-gallon drums. Does your shop have one of these drums? If they only have bottled stuff, then it's not HST.
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2011 C250 4matic
Thanks. How hard is it to just refund one customer when you're a multi-million dollar franchise. This is ridiculous.
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From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
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I might be wrong but I think the big lesson here is that if you are not a BIG DIY guy or you don't have a VERY reliable mechanic, stick with the Dealer.
We pay a LOT of money for these top range cars. I don't think it is wise to try to save on things like oil, filters, breaks etc, putting in risk your investment. Never mind the fact that usually you end up paying way more trying to repair a lousy job performed by a "cheaper" garage/guy. Just my .2$. Don't kill me !!!
We pay a LOT of money for these top range cars. I don't think it is wise to try to save on things like oil, filters, breaks etc, putting in risk your investment. Never mind the fact that usually you end up paying way more trying to repair a lousy job performed by a "cheaper" garage/guy. Just my .2$. Don't kill me !!!
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Update: The original shop that put the ADVANT engine oil is now telling me that Valvoline 5W40 MST can meet both 229.5 and 229.51, and he does have that oil. I think he's trying to offer me a next oil change or something. The official Mercedes listing only has MST approved for 229.51, but not for 229.5.
However, Valvoline is claiming on their website that it can meet both 229.51 and 229.5, which is confusing the hell out of me.
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf
Second page of that PDF. I told him since Mercedes officially doesn't acknowledge that MST can meet both, but only for 229.51, it's still no good for my warranty.
However, Valvoline is claiming on their website that it can meet both 229.51 and 229.5, which is confusing the hell out of me.
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf
Second page of that PDF. I told him since Mercedes officially doesn't acknowledge that MST can meet both, but only for 229.51, it's still no good for my warranty.
Glyn would know better, but I think for a brief period of time about 5 years ago, Mercedes Ok'd the used of 229.51 oil in the gas engines, so they just had to stock one oil for diesel and gas cars. They even had it in writing somewhere. But with the new clean diesel engines, they went to different oils. That may explain all the related misinformation about proper oil for gas engines.
You are also talking 40 wt oil again. Go for the approved 0W30 next time. In the 2013 owners manual, both the 0W-30 and the 0W-40 have the same "unlimited" upper and lower temperature limits. Any 5W-x oil would have a lower ambient limit
of -20C, which would not be ok for your occasional sever cold conditions. If you change your own, with a 4matic, you must suck the old oil from the top of the dipstick tube, as the long nylon tubing will not reach the bottom.
You will need either the adaptor the dealer uses, or a specific MiniVac extractor where you use the splice bushing to seal the nylon at the top of the dip stick tube.
Dealer Adapter for Top of Dipstick Tube
.
Last edited by kevink2; Nov 5, 2012 at 12:02 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes at one time it was "just" possible to meet both specs with one product ~ a big fat compromise. In fact we had a product in Europe that did just that. Benz decided that this was never the intention & imposed the Ash clamp to make it impossible.
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C220 CDI SLK 200
