C36 AMG, C43 AMG (W202) 1995 - 2000

Mr first C43 Oil change / Checkup

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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 08:57 PM
  #1  
austinholloman's Avatar
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W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
Talking Mr first C43 Oil change / Checkup

So after talking with a few guys here in the forums, it was a no brainer to stick with Mobile 1 0w40. I also picked up a really nice drain plug washer that is both metal and rubber $3.99 for two. I went with Fram filter and replaced all three of the rubber washers located on the filter housing. This job was very ez and I had so much spare time I checked all the bushings and rubber pieces up front, I couldn't find anything wrong at all. Kind of drives me crazy because my car was making an odd noise out front and now its gone. Oh well. Once I changed the oil and reset the FSS, I noticed how much smoother my car was running. It almost alarmed me because I am not sure what the prev owner was using oil wise. I think I remember him saying 10w30 Fully Synth before when the car would sit at a stop light I could feel a slight vibration. Now its smooth as butter.
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Old Nov 28, 2010 | 11:12 PM
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hmm my car vibrates quite a bit
what does this mean? i didnt think it was anything harmful
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 01:51 AM
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Dude don't use fram filters they are the worst. Find something german please like mann or mahle.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 08:55 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Mobil1 is the one and only solution for our W113 engines IMO. Regarding filters, I agree stick to good quality OEM filters.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 11:29 AM
  #5  
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
What do you mean by "reset the FSS"?
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 12:04 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by siideways
What do you mean by "reset the FSS"?
Below is an article explaining what the FSS is and how to reset it:

If you do an oil change yourself, which most people do you will need to reset the FSS, or Flexible Service System light. This cannot be reset with a scan tool, as those are designed for reading codes in the check engine light, and the below procedure will not work for a check engine light issue.

First How the System works:

The Flexible Service System calculates in both miles and time, how long before you need to service the engines oil. Simply press the mileage button 2 times and you will see this displayed on the dash.

The new V8 & V6 motors are equipped with an oil quality sensor connected to the cars, computer system, as well as an oil level indicator. These two sensors as well as sensors from the cars CAN-BUS system feed additional data such as Speed, Engine and Coolant Temperture, Load Factor, RPM, and Engine Oil Temperature.

Additional factors, such as operating conditions, stop and go driving, high speed driving, cold starts, and oil usage are also calculated to determine the time/distance between oil changes. If your driving conditions are right, the system may even extend the 10,000 mile service intervals. However, oil is not that expensive, and we not recommend attempting to drive that long on one batch of oil. You cannot damage the engine changing the oil too frequently, however, you can certainly burn out rings, seals, and bearing by not changing your oil regularly.

How to Reset the System:

This technique has always worked for me, and is exactly as it was mentioned in my owners manuals under FSS so your mileage may vary:

Your Key Switch has 4 detents or positions.

Position 0 – Locked Wheel – Engine Off
Position 1 – Wheel Unlocked – Engine Off
Position 2 - Wheel Unlocked – Engine On – This is where you normally have the key when driving
Position 3 – Wheel Unlocked – Starter Engaged

Now you are going to use the same button, that when pressed twice, displayed your remaining time and mileage. Normally the R button.

Get in the car and close the doors. Put your finger on the R button but do not press it yet.

Turn your key to the Run (ON) Position, Number 2 from the list.

Now Press the R Button 2 times.

You will see the number of miles or days remaining for service displayed.

Turn the key to the off position within a few seconds.

Press and Hold the R Button while turning the key back to the run position (2).

Nothing has changed yet – do not panic, keep holding in the R button for 10-15 seconds more, you should hear a beep, and now the see that the system has reset the service interval. Let go of the button and you are all set.

Hope this helps
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 12:28 PM
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Hmm...great info, but I don't think this applies to me, rather only C43 owners. I don't have any light to reset.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by siideways
Hmm...great info, but I don't think this applies to me, rather only C43 owners. I don't have any light to reset.
Clearly a newb again (just kidding) this applies to most AMG's (if not all). A little picture of a wrench will come up on your dash. I believe it is around 10,000 miles or so. Perhaps the light isn't on yet but it will come on that's why he is telling you to reset it.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 01:43 PM
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I wish I would have known about the fram filter! What brands to you guys recommend and where are you buying them?

FSS- You wont even know you have this until its time to change the oil. It starts out a 10k miles and based on how you drive the car it will tell you when your oil (This applies only if you use OEM oil Mobile 1 0w40) needs to be replaced. If you use any other type of oil (you shouldn't) then you need to reset this every time you change the oil of your own schedule.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 02:13 PM
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These are good; sorry link is from Canada, but will give you and idea.
http://www.autopartsway.ca/autoparts...3%20AMG~240348
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 02:17 PM
  #11  
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^ Very nice. I had no idea that filters could make that much of a difference, the old filter was fram too...
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 02:40 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
The old

oil was the wrong oil also.
The PO used 30wt and you never use 30 wt in any amg engine.
The fram filter is paper it will break down and fall apart.
www.autohausaz.com has the proper fleece filter
or napa has their box with a fleece filter 7078
this is the horror of a paper filter in an fss car
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lter-look.html

lastly why did you not suck the oil out with the proper evac pump?
It's the best way

one more last you can always check your miles to next service
at any time if you read how in your manual
so you always know if you have fss

Last edited by ohlord; Nov 29, 2010 at 02:43 PM.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by ohlord
lastly why did you not suck the oil out with the proper evac pump?
It's the best way
There is an age-old debate over in the M3 forums about how siphoning/pumping out your oil doesn't get all the deposits (i.e. shavings, crud, etc.) out from the bottom of your oil pan. Hence, draining/flushing through the drain hole works best. I would imagine this same logic applies to AMGs, or all cars for that matter.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 03:02 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by ohlord
oil was the wrong oil also.
The PO used 30wt and you never use 30 wt in any amg engine.
The fram filter is paper it will break down and fall apart.
www.autohausaz.com has the proper fleece filter
or napa has their box with a fleece filter 7078
this is the horror of a paper filter in an fss car
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lter-look.html

lastly why did you not suck the oil out with the proper evac pump?
It's the best way

one more last you can always check your miles to next service
at any time if you read how in your manual
so you always know if you have fss
Ohlord- I knew you would be all over me about this I was just waiting to for you to show up! Ill go check out the filters at Autohausaz ill change it this month.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 503C43 ////AMG
Clearly a newb again (just kidding) this applies to most AMG's (if not all). A little picture of a wrench will come up on your dash. I believe it is around 10,000 miles or so. Perhaps the light isn't on yet but it will come on that's why he is telling you to reset it.
Works on my "old" W202 C240T too. Have the spanner appearing around 1000km before the service deadline when you turn on the ignition, then goes off a couple of seconds after the engine starts. Stays on permanently if you go over the mileage deadline as a reminder you can't ignore....
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 04:00 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
If you have

shavings,metal, or crud coming out draining or sucking are the least of your issues.

Napa is cheaper if all you are getting is the filter.
If you order over 50 bucks autohausaz is cheaper.
order some air filters oil filter and transmission gasket filter kit and 722.6 electrical connector and o ring and you be in fat city.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DRBC43AMG
Works on my "old" W202 C240T too. Have the spanner appearing around 1000km before the service deadline when you turn on the ignition, then goes off a couple of seconds after the engine starts. Stays on permanently if you go over the mileage deadline as a reminder you can't ignore....
This is correct. I had mine come on right after I bought my C43.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by ohlord
shavings,metal, or crud coming out draining or sucking are the least of your issues.

Napa is cheaper if all you are getting is the filter.
If you order over 50 bucks autohausaz is cheaper.
order some air filters oil filter and transmission gasket filter kit and 722.6 electrical connector and o ring and you be in fat city.
I wanna be in Fat City. Not being fat, per se....but whatever.

Is this the connector you mean?
Attached Thumbnails Mr first C43 Oil change / Checkup-adapter-plug.jpg  
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 06:08 PM
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Yup

9.95 for peace of mind is more then worth it.
If it leaks it wicks trans fluid up to the tcu and you get codes and limp mode and headaches.
Diy on benzworld.org w210 diy section along with the trans fluid filter diy.
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Old Nov 29, 2010 | 06:28 PM
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It's actually less than $7 at the moment, my screen capture just didn't show it all. In fact, until the end of the year, Autohausaz has everything on sale, on top of their already good prices. C43 front rotors - $225 each, with free shipping (in the US).
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Old Nov 30, 2010 | 01:21 PM
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E55 C43 993C2S
Advance Auto has M1 0w40 for $3.99. Limit 12 per customer.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 02:59 AM
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Bringing back a thread from the DEAD. My C43 is due for an oil change, never done one myself before but would love to give it a go

I will buy oil, oil filter (bosch or whatever), plastic drain tray 1st

Do I need to buy a new plug or is it re-useable?

Would those plastic car ramps be suitable to use rather than jack/jack stands?

What do you do with the oil once it's out? Where do you recycle it?

Thanks!
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 04:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ChampagneC
Bringing back a thread from the DEAD. My C43 is due for an oil change, never done one myself before but would love to give it a go

I will buy oil, oil filter (bosch or whatever), plastic drain tray 1st

Do I need to buy a new plug or is it re-useable?

Would those plastic car ramps be suitable to use rather than jack/jack stands?

What do you do with the oil once it's out? Where do you recycle it?

Thanks!
It is a DIY job if you have some basic tools and equipment. Drain the oil down the sewers... nobody will notice I'm KIDDING. Old oil MUST be disposed of in a secure and proper place. It is a polluter. Search around for some DIY, but I would recommend you get it done by a professionnal in the know with proper tooling and equipement. Your C43 deserves special treatment: Mobil1 0W/40, genuine OE filters, O rings, etc.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by OgdenC36
Dude don't use fram filters they are the worst. Find something german please like mann or mahle.
Yeah, I had a Fram fail on me once (literally physically collapsed; would have disintegrated soon if I didn't change the oil/filter when I did).
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Old Dec 5, 2011 | 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ChampagneC
....What do you do with the oil once it's out? Where do you recycle it?

Thanks!
ANY Pep Boys or Kragen (O'Reilly's) auto parts will let you bring in your used motor oil to recycle.
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