W211 DIY oil change
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
2007 Mercedes SL550 Sport
how hard would have been for Mercedes to just leave the dipstick in the car? it's totally rediculous just to do something so most people are forced to go to dealer for a simple oil change. amazing
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
When adding oil, just put the amount indicated in the manual, or a bit less and check from the instrument cluster menu.
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
From: Dallas, TX
2007 Mercedes SL550 Sport
so basically it would have been too much trouble to have a stick in there so you can atleast check the condition of the oil. All other car makers are idiots and Mercedes is the smart one for taking the stick out, that way most oil change places will not be able to do the work (or have the knowledge of how much to add), or the consumer to have to look for the 'red' oil light to come on to say hey you're low on oil. Come on people. I've been driving benz for 30 years and love them, but this is an idiot move. 2008 BMW and porsche still have the dip stick. geez
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
05 E500 4matic, 08 ML320CDI
Just did a DIY Oil Change last night on my wife's ML320 CDI using MANN Fleece Filter and Mobil 1 0w-40 European Car Formula spec 229.5. Oil was $6.99 a quart ( Exxon Mobil still gouging consumers for Oil products) and Fleece Filter was $10.95... Took 8 quarts on the ML... Still cheaper than Dealer Oil Changes...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
so basically it would have been too much trouble to have a stick in there so you can atleast check the condition of the oil. All other car makers are idiots and Mercedes is the smart one for taking the stick out, that way most oil change places will not be able to do the work (or have the knowledge of how much to add), or the consumer to have to look for the 'red' oil light to come on to say hey you're low on oil. Come on people. I've been driving benz for 30 years and love them, but this is an idiot move. 2008 BMW and porsche still have the dip stick. geez
Considering most of oil change places, if they do not know how to change oil from an MB without a dipstick, I don't think they should work close to the car. If several owners do it themselves and an oil change place cannot do it, I would make this conclusion.
Anyway, MB has moved back to the dipstick.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
Oil Level readings
Several weeks ago we made a 1000 mile trip in our E320 and I decided to check the oil level toward the end of the trip. Car has about 6-7000 miles on the last oil change (by me). Car was at full operating temp and about 350 miles into the trip that day. Display says "one quart low". I did not have a quart on me and really not interested in finding some in Bumpusville N.C. so we proceeded home. Checked again after overnight rest and display says oil level adequate or whatever it says when everything is fine.
Question: Is there no incremental readout? Everything is OK and the next message is one quart low?
Also, I have received a different message when checking the level shortly after killing the engine. Something to the effect that sensor needs to wait (for oil draindown?) Not really a big deal, just wondering.
Sort of makes a case for the dipstick IMHO
Question: Is there no incremental readout? Everything is OK and the next message is one quart low?
Also, I have received a different message when checking the level shortly after killing the engine. Something to the effect that sensor needs to wait (for oil draindown?) Not really a big deal, just wondering.
Sort of makes a case for the dipstick IMHO
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Several weeks ago we made a 1000 mile trip in our E320 and I decided to check the oil level toward the end of the trip. Car has about 6-7000 miles on the last oil change (by me). Car was at full operating temp and about 350 miles into the trip that day. Display says "one quart low". I did not have a quart on me and really not interested in finding some in Bumpusville N.C. so we proceeded home. Checked again after overnight rest and display says oil level adequate or whatever it says when everything is fine.
Question: Is there no incremental readout? Everything is OK and the next message is one quart low?
Also, I have received a different message when checking the level shortly after killing the engine. Something to the effect that sensor needs to wait (for oil draindown?) Not really a big deal, just wondering.
Sort of makes a case for the dipstick IMHO
Question: Is there no incremental readout? Everything is OK and the next message is one quart low?
Also, I have received a different message when checking the level shortly after killing the engine. Something to the effect that sensor needs to wait (for oil draindown?) Not really a big deal, just wondering.
Sort of makes a case for the dipstick IMHO
Only once since we bought our 03 have we had this indicator. Don't know why the car was dealer serviced. But at 6000 miles we got the qt low warning. We were at Yellowstone. I added a qt and we have never had the light again. It is possible your engine might be using a small amount of oil or the oil you used wasn't quite the viscosity on the label.
Just my $.02 of course, yours may vary.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
My point is this:
Who knows what transpires between "everything is fine" and
"one quart low"
I leave on an extended trip and everything is fine.
3/4 thru and I need a quart of oil. At the finish line, everything is fine (again).
With a stick, at the beginning of the trip, if I needed a 1/2 quart, I would pull one from my well stocked larder and add it. Eurospec oil is not exactly as common as a cheeseburger. I don't travel with spare oil. This aint no 1960 Chevy and the engine at 39K gives no indication of burning oil
I change the oil and add EXACTLY 8.5 quarts of oil and After 100 miles of interstate driving, i get red? warning that the car is overfilled. WTF?
Obviously, the sensor is out of calibration or just too sensitive. Am I going to spend hundreds of dollars to find out? Nah. I will use my $20 dipstick.
Next oil change, after exactly 8.5 quarts and filter I intend to check the oil level with a dipstick and record it. On mine I think full is 170mm. THEN I will decide when the engine needs oil. If that happens to coincide with the FSS display, fine, if not, TS
Who knows what transpires between "everything is fine" and
"one quart low"
I leave on an extended trip and everything is fine.
3/4 thru and I need a quart of oil. At the finish line, everything is fine (again).
With a stick, at the beginning of the trip, if I needed a 1/2 quart, I would pull one from my well stocked larder and add it. Eurospec oil is not exactly as common as a cheeseburger. I don't travel with spare oil. This aint no 1960 Chevy and the engine at 39K gives no indication of burning oil
I change the oil and add EXACTLY 8.5 quarts of oil and After 100 miles of interstate driving, i get red? warning that the car is overfilled. WTF?
Obviously, the sensor is out of calibration or just too sensitive. Am I going to spend hundreds of dollars to find out? Nah. I will use my $20 dipstick.
Next oil change, after exactly 8.5 quarts and filter I intend to check the oil level with a dipstick and record it. On mine I think full is 170mm. THEN I will decide when the engine needs oil. If that happens to coincide with the FSS display, fine, if not, TS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I will use my $20 dipstick.
Next oil change, after exactly 8.5 quarts and filter I intend to check the oil level with a dipstick and record it. On mine I think full is 170mm. THEN I will decide when the engine needs oil. If that happens to coincide with the FSS display, fine, if not, TS
Next oil change, after exactly 8.5 quarts and filter I intend to check the oil level with a dipstick and record it. On mine I think full is 170mm. THEN I will decide when the engine needs oil. If that happens to coincide with the FSS display, fine, if not, TS
. I have had only 1 total SBC brake failure where I had the car towed. So I would expect to not exceed 1 total oil system failure where you get the car towed.However I did buy the MB "tool?" to check oil in my E500.
You can get the tool much cheaper on ebay if you shop around.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, LA
2006 E350
Still having trouble with going to 10K on oil change. Since the filter is on top and easy to service I was thinking that a Filter Only change at 5k and adjust the level will help me sleep better. Then complete change at 10K.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
If you want to change the filter at 5000 feel free to do so but the MB filter will run you about $25.00 for each change.
Noticed you lived in Mandeville. I live in Slidell.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
Large O RING
I can add another "won't do that again" to my M-B DIY skills. The Mann filters come with a little picturegram showing you exactly where to position the large O ring at the top of the filter housing. There is a good reason for that which I discovered by carelessly letting the o ring climb to the very top as opposed to one "thread" down. Two quarts of $8 oil blown all over the front of the engine. This was my third DIY oil change. The first two went fine. I won't try to second guess the filter mfg. again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 18
From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I have a stack of the special filters for the Bluetec and enough oil for at least five intermediate oil changes. 10,000 mile scheduled oil changes at MB and 5000 mile oil changes I do myself. I made the purchase when I was doing a long daily commute; not any more.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
MB OF NO?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
E320
Unable to remove the oil filter cap from my E320 2000
Hi,
I purchased a FRAM F1102 plastic filter wrench that is designed to fit caps from 74-76mm. When I place it on my filter cap and try to unscrew the cap counter-clockwise, the wrench slips around the filter cap.
I noticed a small arrow in the filter cap point in a "Clockwise" direction. I just want to make sure that to loosen the filter cap I should unscrew it in a "counter-clockwise" direction.
Also, should I get a different filter wrench? If so, what do you suggest?
Marty Addison
Maddison@***.net
Oceanside, CA
I purchased a FRAM F1102 plastic filter wrench that is designed to fit caps from 74-76mm. When I place it on my filter cap and try to unscrew the cap counter-clockwise, the wrench slips around the filter cap.
I noticed a small arrow in the filter cap point in a "Clockwise" direction. I just want to make sure that to loosen the filter cap I should unscrew it in a "counter-clockwise" direction.
Also, should I get a different filter wrench? If so, what do you suggest?
Marty Addison
Maddison@***.net
Oceanside, CA
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Belle Mead, NJ
2003 E320
So, the oil is normal oil? Nothing synthetic or special? I have been doing the oil changes at the dealer since I had Extended Warranty (100,000 miles) but it will run out soon so, I need to start thinking of doing things like this in the near future.
Great write up!
If we could get a definite answer on how to RESET of the Service Messages, we will be good to go!
Great write up!
If we could get a definite answer on how to RESET of the Service Messages, we will be good to go!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 440
Likes: 1
From: Exit 16E
07 E350 4Matic / Sport with P1
So, the oil is normal oil? Nothing synthetic or special? I have been doing the oil changes at the dealer since I had Extended Warranty (100,000 miles) but it will run out soon so, I need to start thinking of doing things like this in the near future.
Great write up!
If we could get a definite answer on how to RESET of the Service Messages, we will be good to go!
Great write up!
If we could get a definite answer on how to RESET of the Service Messages, we will be good to go!
For your svc indicator reset - check this thread out...it was started by an '03 W211 owner, so the response to him would probably be good for you.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...indicator.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
MOBIL 1 ONLY. Check in the back of your owner's manual - to get the specs for the oil (I think there's a few different kinds of Mobil 1)
For your svc indicator reset - check this thread out...it was started by an '03 W211 owner, so the response to him would probably be good for you.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...indicator.html
For your svc indicator reset - check this thread out...it was started by an '03 W211 owner, so the response to him would probably be good for you.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...indicator.html
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
... which is an excellent oil. For those of you who either don't like it or can't readily find it, here's the link to MB fluids specs and you can see that there are many oils that meet the 229.5 (gas engine) spec:
http://bevo.daimler.com/bevolistenma...b83a926a5b3dfd
Regards,
paul...
http://bevo.daimler.com/bevolistenma...b83a926a5b3dfd
Regards,
paul...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 2
2009 E350 Sport
One important point not covered. When you're refilling the oil reservoir, set aside one of the quarts to pour over and saturate the new oil filter. The filter itself will hold a lot of oil.
Why?
When the engine starts up again, it will pull oil through the new filter. If the new filter is dry, there will be a very short period of oil starvation for the cylinders as the filter absorbs oil. Most damage occurs on startup so this step can be very important.
Why?
When the engine starts up again, it will pull oil through the new filter. If the new filter is dry, there will be a very short period of oil starvation for the cylinders as the filter absorbs oil. Most damage occurs on startup so this step can be very important.
