first oil change?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Southern California
2003 E320
first oil change?
what is the consensus on when you should do your first oil change?
i think the scheduled maintenance (the one that mercedes covers for you) is at 10,000 miles.
i was thinking about doing it at 5,000 miles (just paying out of my pocket to have it done).
but in the past, i've also heard that new engines should get their oil changed more often because sometimes there are little remnants that can get into the oil because the engine is new. with my old car, i've even heard some guys recommend to do an oil change at 500 miles, 1000 miles, 3000 miles and then every 3000 after that.
i'm hitting 1,000 miles on my odometer now so i'm wondering if maybe i should do one now or wait until i hit 5,000....(or wait until the computer tells me?)
Rock
i think the scheduled maintenance (the one that mercedes covers for you) is at 10,000 miles.
i was thinking about doing it at 5,000 miles (just paying out of my pocket to have it done).
but in the past, i've also heard that new engines should get their oil changed more often because sometimes there are little remnants that can get into the oil because the engine is new. with my old car, i've even heard some guys recommend to do an oil change at 500 miles, 1000 miles, 3000 miles and then every 3000 after that.
i'm hitting 1,000 miles on my odometer now so i'm wondering if maybe i should do one now or wait until i hit 5,000....(or wait until the computer tells me?)
Rock
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 109
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From: Orlando, FL
Oil Change
My saleperson was adamant about not changing the oil until the scheduled maintenance period (10K). Seems risky for a brand new engine. I have 2K miles now and am very interested in what other owners think on this subject.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 194
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From: Southern California
2003 E320
what kind of oil?
well, i'm guessing that an oil change won't hurt. so i'm thinking about doing one at 1,000 and another at 5,000 and then 10,000.
i'll pay for the ones at 1k and 5k.
anyone know what kind of oil the dealer uses? i may just do it myself or take it to the local place but i'll buy the factory oil filter and i want to make sure i'm using good synthetic oil (preferably what's already in there).
Rock.
i'll pay for the ones at 1k and 5k.
anyone know what kind of oil the dealer uses? i may just do it myself or take it to the local place but i'll buy the factory oil filter and i want to make sure i'm using good synthetic oil (preferably what's already in there).
Rock.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 227
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From: Milwaukee, WI
2003 CLK 320
When I got my new mercedes the salesperson said do not change the oil until 10,000 miles. Would like to hear more on this subject. I will probably not change until 10,000 miles unless I hear some other reasons to change. The salesperson went into the reason why not to change the oil. I dont remember why. Hopefullly someone will know the reason?
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
This issue has been discussed in great detail over the past 2 years. If you do a search though the forums you will find a lot of info as previously discussed.
Basically here is my take.
Since 2001, mercedes has used synthetic oil in all of its FSS equipped vehicles. It is my belief that synthetic oil CAN and WILL last 10,000 miles, HOWEVER, the small oil filter Mercedes uses will not provide what I believe to be adequate protection for 10,000 miles.
Therefore, I myself have (in my 2001 CL) and will (in my 2003 CL), change the oil at 1000 miles, again at 5,000 miles and every 5,000 miles thereafter. I personally believe this to be a good means of protection if you plan to keep you vehicle for the long run.
It also should be noted that I have spoken with tech's at AMG in Germany. Mercedes DOES NOT use a special 'break in' oil. Mercedes uses straight Mobil 1 tri-synthetic as a factory fill in all new FSS equipped vehicles since the 2001 model year. Check your specifications manual for the proper weight oil you should use as dictated by your environment.
Basically here is my take.
Since 2001, mercedes has used synthetic oil in all of its FSS equipped vehicles. It is my belief that synthetic oil CAN and WILL last 10,000 miles, HOWEVER, the small oil filter Mercedes uses will not provide what I believe to be adequate protection for 10,000 miles.
Therefore, I myself have (in my 2001 CL) and will (in my 2003 CL), change the oil at 1000 miles, again at 5,000 miles and every 5,000 miles thereafter. I personally believe this to be a good means of protection if you plan to keep you vehicle for the long run.
It also should be noted that I have spoken with tech's at AMG in Germany. Mercedes DOES NOT use a special 'break in' oil. Mercedes uses straight Mobil 1 tri-synthetic as a factory fill in all new FSS equipped vehicles since the 2001 model year. Check your specifications manual for the proper weight oil you should use as dictated by your environment.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Washington State
E-500
Re: what kind of oil?
Originally posted by Rock72
well, i'm guessing that an oil change won't hurt. so i'm thinking about doing one at 1,000 and another at 5,000 and then 10,000.
i'll pay for the ones at 1k and 5k.
anyone know what kind of oil the dealer uses? i may just do it myself or take it to the local place but i'll buy the factory oil filter and i want to make sure i'm using good synthetic oil (preferably what's already in there).
Rock.
well, i'm guessing that an oil change won't hurt. so i'm thinking about doing one at 1,000 and another at 5,000 and then 10,000.
i'll pay for the ones at 1k and 5k.
anyone know what kind of oil the dealer uses? i may just do it myself or take it to the local place but i'll buy the factory oil filter and i want to make sure i'm using good synthetic oil (preferably what's already in there).
Rock.
I had a long talk with a service advisor and he highly recommended against it, even tho I was talking about bringing it to them ($150. oil change!!).
One thing I would be careful of is not having the oil changed by a dealer. I would be concerned that if a engine problem were to come up down the road...they may claim that improper oil change was the problem. I tend to be careful when it comes to warranties.
Ed
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
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From: Washington, DC
2004 E 4matic StationWagon
$150?
$150? Can that be right? When I have my MB dealer change the oil in my 1999 E320 it costs $80. Haven't changed the oil in my 2003 E320 yet though. I will probably change the oil at 5,000 miles.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
I don't have to tell you that frequent oil changes preserve the life of the engine. However, most of the cars that come into the dealership for service only come in when the FSS display tells the owner it's time for a service. I have yet to see any kind of engine failure due to lack of frequent oil changes. Even our roadside assistance ML320 has over 200,000 miles and only had it's oil changed at the regular A and B service intervals.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 454
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From: NC
'03 Mercedes E320
I trade at fairly low mileage, so I have stuck with the FSS recommendations, but one thing that gives me comfort that I seldom see discussed is the volume of oil in the MB engine (8.5 qts) versus the traditional US engine with its 4-5 qts. My thinking is that any contamination of the oil will be diluted by the volume, and that the FSS is also monitoring the types of things that would call for more frequent changes (low temperature short trips, detectable contamination, etc.) under the old theory of "regular use versus hard service use". The Mobil 1 since 2001 simply adds to the comfort factor.
My dealer uses a Pennzoil synthetic but will do Mobil 1 "when requested" for the free service. My service advisor reminds me to request it.
Also, for owners new to FSS, you can get the "free" service at the FSS interval or 1 year if sooner (on request), which I do. Again, thanks to my service advisor.
My dealer uses a Pennzoil synthetic but will do Mobil 1 "when requested" for the free service. My service advisor reminds me to request it.
Also, for owners new to FSS, you can get the "free" service at the FSS interval or 1 year if sooner (on request), which I do. Again, thanks to my service advisor.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 215
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From: Seattle
2001 ML320
Some of you seem far too concerned about changing the oil. Synthetic oil, the FSS monitoring system, the larger capacity, etc. all have a proven track record of being a good way to go. I've also never heard of engines showing up with oil related problems even down the road as long as the above are adhered to. MB certifies a lot of engines up to 8 years and 100,000 miles and would certainly never do so (starmark pre-owned) if they ended up having to eat a lot of costs for long term engine repair. In addition, due to a recent class action lawsuit for a few cars that followed FSS but only used regular (non-synthetic) oil, MB is warranting my 2001 ML engine all the way to 10 years and 150,000 miles, again something they would never do if they expected problems. I've certainly never heard of any other engines that have such a long warranty - and the only thing required to keep that warranty in place is to change the oil according to the FSS.
Sure, it won't 'hurt' to change the oil more frequently and it may let you sleep better. It probably wouldn't hurt to flush the radiator, put in fresh brake fluid, etc all way before necessary. I would think most of the shops would be more than willing to sell you this peace of mind as well. I would even venture to guess that there would be a higher chance of having a problem from some human error (i.e., didn't put in enough oil, didn't properly replace a seal and now have a leak, put in the wrong grade oil for your climate or driving conditions, etc.) than in actually preventing anything by the extra oil changes.
Sure, it won't 'hurt' to change the oil more frequently and it may let you sleep better. It probably wouldn't hurt to flush the radiator, put in fresh brake fluid, etc all way before necessary. I would think most of the shops would be more than willing to sell you this peace of mind as well. I would even venture to guess that there would be a higher chance of having a problem from some human error (i.e., didn't put in enough oil, didn't properly replace a seal and now have a leak, put in the wrong grade oil for your climate or driving conditions, etc.) than in actually preventing anything by the extra oil changes.
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From: Richmond, BC, Canada
2010 Prius & Miata MX5 PRHT, 2010 Toyota Venza AWD, 05 C55 AMG, Yamaha 1100 Custom, Honda 250 Reflex
Perhaps it is just an old habit that is hard to break, but I will do my first oil change at 3,000 Kms and every 10,000 Kms thereafter with Mobil 1.
Just buying peace of mind and afterall frequent oil changes is cheap insurance. :p
Just buying peace of mind and afterall frequent oil changes is cheap insurance. :p
