Frequency of Oil Change.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
We could go back and forth all day on this. On the C forums there are reports of engine failures. First thing the dealer asked to see was the maintenance records. MB is not going to break down an engine to see if they are liable for the repair. Or if they are not liable. They could very well claim lack of maintenance is the cause. You would have to prove otherwise. Dealers may make lots of money on people saying “I only drove 3,000 miles, I don’t have to change the oil. You may be correct that nothing happens. If it does, they have an easy out.
Also, I have no idea what this has to do with paranoia.
Also, I have no idea what this has to do with paranoia.
"Dealers may make lots of money on people saying “I only drove 3,000 miles, I don’t have to change the oil."
The fact is that there is no "shelf life" on synthetic oil. Synthetic oil breaks down with mileage not age. Everyone knows this, including Mercedes.
Last edited by JTK44; Jul 5, 2021 at 09:01 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 360
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
I am very much a newbie, novice, etc. I don't fix cars, don't know how, and I am not even well-versed in the mechanical aspects and workings of the car. I drive it! That's it! LOL.
However, being in business, having several clients who are car dealers -- and knowing several people at corporate offices (MB, BMW, etc.) -- I will say that no company is blindly, unconditionally, without any inquiry whatsoever, replacing an engine. I don't care if it's at 5k or 45k miles. Sure, 5k miles obviously is an anomaly. Thus, there should not be a problem. But as a car gets older, you tack on more miles, whatever the case might be; even if you use the car sparingly -- there is still "time" deterioration on parts. Use aside. Things happen. That's why they call them accidents! LOL.
In the case, I think this is a back and forth, semantics, etc. Whether they do or they don't -- why take any chances? Why leave anything to debate and argument? Like many said, there is no expiration date or shelf life problem with synthetic oil. So it's a matter of time, mileage, whatever. Yes, it might be a pain, inconvenient, to get the oil changed. I get it. Find a local dealer, MB specialty shop, or something of the like, get the oil change. If it's a month or two, up to you. So be it.
However, being in business, having several clients who are car dealers -- and knowing several people at corporate offices (MB, BMW, etc.) -- I will say that no company is blindly, unconditionally, without any inquiry whatsoever, replacing an engine. I don't care if it's at 5k or 45k miles. Sure, 5k miles obviously is an anomaly. Thus, there should not be a problem. But as a car gets older, you tack on more miles, whatever the case might be; even if you use the car sparingly -- there is still "time" deterioration on parts. Use aside. Things happen. That's why they call them accidents! LOL.
In the case, I think this is a back and forth, semantics, etc. Whether they do or they don't -- why take any chances? Why leave anything to debate and argument? Like many said, there is no expiration date or shelf life problem with synthetic oil. So it's a matter of time, mileage, whatever. Yes, it might be a pain, inconvenient, to get the oil changed. I get it. Find a local dealer, MB specialty shop, or something of the like, get the oil change. If it's a month or two, up to you. So be it.
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From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
You of course are making this up, correct?
"Dealers may make lots of money on people saying “I only drove 3,000 miles, I don’t have to change the oil."
The fact is that there is no "shelf life" on synthetic oil. Synthetic oil breaks down with mileage not age. Everyone knows this, including Mercedes.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Clearly, I think you would agree, if you went on a long out of country trip for example, and put only 1,000 miles on your car, would you then agree that after 1 year, and 1,000 miles, you would not have to change the oil.
Last edited by JTK44; Jul 5, 2021 at 10:57 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
To answer your question. Yes, I would get an oil change to play it safe. I have brought my bmw in with way less than 10,000 miles after a year. Of course the oil changes have been free.
Last edited by Elvisfan0108; Jul 6, 2021 at 10:56 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2021
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
What about some of the local specialty shops? Aren't there any -- that are just as qualified, have all the technology, etc. -- as the dealer(s)? Where are you coming from? I am in Mahwah. Thanks.
Thread Starter
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2019 e450w4 Sedan
In Englewood cliffs. Nanuet I found to be cheaper and certainly nicer. You are correct, when old staff left, the service and quality hasn't been the same. Sadly, many people I know in the area feel the same way. I want them to succeed, but mgt hasn't really tried to improve. Since my car is still fairly new, I prefer to go to an authorized dealer.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: NJ
E300-4matic
Synthetic Oil, shelf life
I did not get to this point in life by throwing money away - and I do not intend to start now.
My thinking is this: With synthetic oil, unlike oils of yesterday, there is no shelf life: Synthetic oils do not age.
Like you, during the past year I have driven very little - I have 18,000 miles on my 2019 E450 which i got in December 2018 - 30 months ago. I did not change my oil after two years, last December 2020 - I only put 3,000 miles on the car after the first oil change. With 3,000 miles since the last oil change, I saw no reason to change the oil.
Now that I have close to 19,000 miles, I plan to set up an appointment to do the "B" service.
Of course there is no harm in changing your oil every year - but personally I think it is totally unnecessary.
My thinking is this: With synthetic oil, unlike oils of yesterday, there is no shelf life: Synthetic oils do not age.
Like you, during the past year I have driven very little - I have 18,000 miles on my 2019 E450 which i got in December 2018 - 30 months ago. I did not change my oil after two years, last December 2020 - I only put 3,000 miles on the car after the first oil change. With 3,000 miles since the last oil change, I saw no reason to change the oil.
Now that I have close to 19,000 miles, I plan to set up an appointment to do the "B" service.
Of course there is no harm in changing your oil every year - but personally I think it is totally unnecessary.
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
FYI, even synthetic oil has a shelf life. New, sealed oil has a 10 year shelf life. Once you pour it into your engine block that figure drops to 3 years, after which time the anti-wear components in the oil break down and by year 3 are virtually useless. IMO, if you can afford the car, you can afford an oil change. Good luck.
Each of us chooses to spend the money we have earned in the way we want to.
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From: Australia, Melbourne
E200, C250 CGI
I don't quite understand why there is even an argument about this??
The Service requirement clearly states 25000kms/or per year which ever comes first. (For Australia)
It doesn't matter you've done 1000kms.. or 20000kms.. if you've reached that 1 year mark, you should really service the car accordingly. (This includes engine oil and filter change)
I get that some of the argument is, I've done such a low mileage that it doesn't justify an oil change.
But I think like some of us have pointed, you are taking a risk. Also, the engineers who wrote these requirement didn't just stick these figures up for the fun of it.
I'm sure they have gone through rigorous assessments to get these numbers.
The Service requirement clearly states 25000kms/or per year which ever comes first. (For Australia)
It doesn't matter you've done 1000kms.. or 20000kms.. if you've reached that 1 year mark, you should really service the car accordingly. (This includes engine oil and filter change)
I get that some of the argument is, I've done such a low mileage that it doesn't justify an oil change.
But I think like some of us have pointed, you are taking a risk. Also, the engineers who wrote these requirement didn't just stick these figures up for the fun of it.
I'm sure they have gone through rigorous assessments to get these numbers.
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2017 mercedes GLE 43 coupe
I would think there is a second component to frequency of oil change, irregardless of regular vs synthetic oil type.
Of course the first is how well oil continues to lubricate the engine.
But the second component is oil picks up & holds debris the forms during normal engine function.i'm sure this' junk' isn't doing your engine life any good by leaving it in.
Of course the first is how well oil continues to lubricate the engine.
But the second component is oil picks up & holds debris the forms during normal engine function.i'm sure this' junk' isn't doing your engine life any good by leaving it in.
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A factor to consider is if the car was driven mostly on the highway or in city traffic, there is way less wear for highway driving (opposite for stop and go traffic). Another factor to consider would be the distance for each drive. If for example the vehicle is only driven a few KMs and then turned off before the engine oil has a chance to heat up, moisture will build up. The engine oil also never reaches operating temperatures and cannot burn off the contaminants. Cold engine oil also doesn't help with protecting the engine.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I leased my 2019 E450 on December 30, 2018. This December it will be three years.
On Wednesday, August 4 I took my car in for the "B" service. My car has 19,750 miles on it. "B" service is at 20,000 miles. The dealer did the multipoint inspection and everything turned out perfect.
Between now and December, 2021 my wife and I are planning several long trips so that in December we will put on about 1,000 miles but certainly no more than 1,500.
To comply with the Mercedes warranty, do I have to do the "A" service in 4 months, December having driven at most only 1,500 miles or can I wait until next August, one year or 10,000 miles whichever comes first?
If I am required to do the "A" service in December seems like a waste of money, having just done the "B" service and the car having been driven only 1,000/1,5000 miles plus dumping good oil and filter is not good for the environment.
The reason I ask is that my car is coming off lease in December, there are no cars available and if you order no guarantee when the car comes in, so I may just wind up buying it, but of course I will only do so if the warranty is good through December 2022, 4 years.
On Wednesday, August 4 I took my car in for the "B" service. My car has 19,750 miles on it. "B" service is at 20,000 miles. The dealer did the multipoint inspection and everything turned out perfect.
Between now and December, 2021 my wife and I are planning several long trips so that in December we will put on about 1,000 miles but certainly no more than 1,500.
To comply with the Mercedes warranty, do I have to do the "A" service in 4 months, December having driven at most only 1,500 miles or can I wait until next August, one year or 10,000 miles whichever comes first?
If I am required to do the "A" service in December seems like a waste of money, having just done the "B" service and the car having been driven only 1,000/1,5000 miles plus dumping good oil and filter is not good for the environment.
The reason I ask is that my car is coming off lease in December, there are no cars available and if you order no guarantee when the car comes in, so I may just wind up buying it, but of course I will only do so if the warranty is good through December 2022, 4 years.
