Went in to the dealer yesterday..
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Went in to the dealer yesterday..
Went in to the dealer yesterday for an oil change. The car has about 5800 miles on it, but I've had it for over a year now.
I took it down there and the service man said that it wouldn't be free since I have 5600 left until Service A. He said that it was not necessary at all to change the oil at this point and the car will actually let me know when the oil is thick enough to change.
After talking about it for 15 minutes, I decided to hold off on it. Is he right? Should I have just changed it?
I took it down there and the service man said that it wouldn't be free since I have 5600 left until Service A. He said that it was not necessary at all to change the oil at this point and the car will actually let me know when the oil is thick enough to change.
After talking about it for 15 minutes, I decided to hold off on it. Is he right? Should I have just changed it?
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
My first two oil changes in my CLK were done at 1500 miles and 4000 miles. They were on my dime.
The last one (done at about 9000) was covered under the included maintenance. I plan on changing every 5,000 whether I pay or it's included.
The last one (done at about 9000) was covered under the included maintenance. I plan on changing every 5,000 whether I pay or it's included.
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
actually, similar to our S5. We just had service B done a week ago. Last service, service A was 11/22/02! 
But I asked them how the oil was and I even saw it for myself...was not black...still a good color. So you may feel uneasy, but MB's FSS system has proven itself.
Someone on this board has a 98 ML320 with over 160k miles I believe and always followed MB's FSS and car is running great, so that's a reason to believe in it.
-G-
But I asked them how the oil was and I even saw it for myself...was not black...still a good color. So you may feel uneasy, but MB's FSS system has proven itself.
Someone on this board has a 98 ML320 with over 160k miles I believe and always followed MB's FSS and car is running great, so that's a reason to believe in it.
-G-
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
MB also states the the transmission fluid never needs changing. 
Sorry, but I plan on keeping my rides a little longer than the norm (usually 8-10 years), so I'll make sure it gets the best always!
Sorry, but I plan on keeping my rides a little longer than the norm (usually 8-10 years), so I'll make sure it gets the best always!
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally posted by Chappy
MB also states the the transmission fluid never needs changing.
Sorry, but I plan on keeping my rides a little longer than the norm (usually 8-10 years), so I'll make sure it gets the best always!
MB also states the the transmission fluid never needs changing.
Sorry, but I plan on keeping my rides a little longer than the norm (usually 8-10 years), so I'll make sure it gets the best always!
There are lots of MB's that follow the FSS system and they are totally fine. Synthetic oil's are also proven to run 15,000 miles before a change is needed, and MB cuts that short by 5,000 miles.
Regarding the transmission fluid, I don't know about that, but IMO, MB has proven their FSS system and people know it works and can attest to it.
my .02
-G-
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
Not trying to be argumentative, I make sure my cars are over-maintained.
Oil changes are one thing. The biggest problem with FSS is that a qualified tech sees your car MUCH less frequently, therefore, has less opportunity to see other problems developing....like premature tire wear, engine mounts, leaking hoses, worn brakes or other important systems that cannot be diagnosed unless actually seen by a tech. IMO, 10K-15K miles between service visits (even just for an oil change and look-see) is too long.
The reason the services are scheduled out that far is due to the fact that MB is paying for them....great for marketing, bad for proper maintenance. May be 'good enough' if just keeping the car through a lease term, but potentially bad if expecting long life (250K) out of these cars.
It is for this reason I choose to have my vehicle services on a more frequent basis.
Oil changes are one thing. The biggest problem with FSS is that a qualified tech sees your car MUCH less frequently, therefore, has less opportunity to see other problems developing....like premature tire wear, engine mounts, leaking hoses, worn brakes or other important systems that cannot be diagnosed unless actually seen by a tech. IMO, 10K-15K miles between service visits (even just for an oil change and look-see) is too long.
The reason the services are scheduled out that far is due to the fact that MB is paying for them....great for marketing, bad for proper maintenance. May be 'good enough' if just keeping the car through a lease term, but potentially bad if expecting long life (250K) out of these cars.
It is for this reason I choose to have my vehicle services on a more frequent basis.
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From: Boston
2003 CL55
Andrew
I had my oil and filter changed after 1000 miles, knowing that I would have to pay. it was last spring so I do not remember the cost, but say around $100. That is not much to pay for peace of mind, given that I want to kep my car for a long time. It seems reasonable to me that during run in is when any metal particles might be released, and although they would be trapped by the filter, I feel better about just replacing oil and filter early. It now has about 10,700 miles and the system indicates that it will not need oil service for another few thousand miles.
BTW, the engine seems much stronger now than when it had just a few thousand miles. The car has been flawless, although I have not driven it since the winter began. Just drive it around the block occassionally to keep the tires from getting flat spots from just sitting in the garage.
I had my oil and filter changed after 1000 miles, knowing that I would have to pay. it was last spring so I do not remember the cost, but say around $100. That is not much to pay for peace of mind, given that I want to kep my car for a long time. It seems reasonable to me that during run in is when any metal particles might be released, and although they would be trapped by the filter, I feel better about just replacing oil and filter early. It now has about 10,700 miles and the system indicates that it will not need oil service for another few thousand miles.
BTW, the engine seems much stronger now than when it had just a few thousand miles. The car has been flawless, although I have not driven it since the winter began. Just drive it around the block occassionally to keep the tires from getting flat spots from just sitting in the garage.
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It Varies
Originally posted by victoryroad
Andrew
I had my oil and filter changed after 1000 miles, knowing that I would have to pay. it was last spring so I do not remember the cost, but say around $100. That is not much to pay for peace of mind, given that I want to kep my car for a long time. It seems reasonable to me that during run in is when any metal particles might be released, and although they would be trapped by the filter, I feel better about just replacing oil and filter early. It now has about 10,700 miles and the system indicates that it will not need oil service for another few thousand miles.
BTW, the engine seems much stronger now than when it had just a few thousand miles. The car has been flawless, although I have not driven it since the winter began. Just drive it around the block occassionally to keep the tires from getting flat spots from just sitting in the garage.
Andrew
I had my oil and filter changed after 1000 miles, knowing that I would have to pay. it was last spring so I do not remember the cost, but say around $100. That is not much to pay for peace of mind, given that I want to kep my car for a long time. It seems reasonable to me that during run in is when any metal particles might be released, and although they would be trapped by the filter, I feel better about just replacing oil and filter early. It now has about 10,700 miles and the system indicates that it will not need oil service for another few thousand miles.
BTW, the engine seems much stronger now than when it had just a few thousand miles. The car has been flawless, although I have not driven it since the winter began. Just drive it around the block occassionally to keep the tires from getting flat spots from just sitting in the garage.
Yeah, I'm really not sure how long I'm actually going to keep the car. But I think , just to play it safe, I'm going to go ahead and get it changed. 100$ is worth it as "insurance" for the years ahead.
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SLK32
Re: Went in to the dealer yesterday..
Originally posted by AndrewEclipse
I took it down there and the service man said that it wouldn't be free since I have 5600 left until Service A. He said that it was not necessary at all to change the oil at this point and the car will actually let me know when the oil is thick enough to change.
I took it down there and the service man said that it wouldn't be free since I have 5600 left until Service A. He said that it was not necessary at all to change the oil at this point and the car will actually let me know when the oil is thick enough to change.
