smv

I imagine that this topic has already been talked to death on more than one occasion, but I have a new CLK 320 with a couple of thousand miles on it, and I don't want to do anything stupid. The manual says that the first oil change occurs at the first service A, which I get the impression typcially pops up at about 12,000 miles. That seems like a long time to go without changing oil, even with synthetic oil in the crankcase.

I checked out the Mobil1.com site, which was less than helpful. Here's a direct quote from this site, which is as close as Mobil comes to specifying oil changes for its synthetic oil:

"Each auto manufacturer develops and specifies oil and filter change requirements for their vehicles. While certain synthetic oils can give excellent results in extended oil drain tests, it's best to remain conservative with oil drain intervals. This allows the reserve wear protection capabilities of synthetic oils to cover unusual or unexpected driving conditions."

So, I'm throwing it out to this forum. When should I get my first oil change? (I'm aware that I'll have to pay for it if it precedes the A service.) Thanks.

awiner

Check out our conversation of this topic at :

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...&threadid=3023

byip25

i changed it @ 1000 miles. then at 2500 miles. then every 2500 miles. yes. i am paranoid.


B

bugfighter

I do like the manual says and wait till first service when the computer tells me, which is around 10,000 miles.

I'm on my 3rd new Benz and it works for me. I had a 1999 model for 3 years and did the oil change at around 10,000 miles after a year and a half and had no problems.

vinmanc32

They give you some very valuable info about oil and change intervals depending on driving style. I actually changed my oil after the first 1000 miles and plan on doing it every 7k. If I find myself doing alot of spirited driving I will change it after 5k. I do see myself likely going to 10k for an oil change. Seems like a long time but check out the site.... it may not be as bad as you think.http://www.fernblatt.com/longhurst/

corgiman

I follow Mercedes' recommendations. From all the tests I have read in auto magazines an oil never loses its' ability to lubricate the engine. What wears out are the additives that hold contaminates in suspension. I used to live next to a guy who did reasearch for Shell and he told me that the synthetic oils are more slippery because all the molecules are about the same size and there are no crosslinks to cause internal friction in the oil.

Also. has anyone considered that most used oil, which is toxic, is NOT rerefined and is dumped. This poses an enviromental problem. I used to change my own oil but it became so difficult to dispose of the old oil that I go to the dealer now.

CLK 320

My car was built right around the time that the factory was switching over to Mobil 1. I had an oil change done at 1,000 miles (at my own expense) in order to ensure that Mobil 1 was being used. I have no trouble paying the bill every 3,000 miles for an oil change. I consider it cheap insurance. I just don't feel comfortable waiting until 10,000 miles.

awiner

My only concern is the oil filter being able to filter adequately for 10,000+ miles. Have you seen the small oil filter cartridge that Mercedes uses in the 5.0/5.5 liter engines ? Pretty small surface area.

KWiK

The rule of thumb that I follow is:

Natural:
1k miles per quart

Synthetic:
2k mile per quart


Read this years ago, just don't remember where. It has worked out great for my past cars.

rp430

I started using Mobil 1 in my cars when it came out - 1976 I think. I always change oil & filter at 1,000 miles because the initial break in creates shavings of metal that I do not want to become imbedded in my soft crankshaft bearings. I change oil and filter every 3,000 thereafter as it is my belief that no matter how good the lubricating qualities of the oil, there are still impurities that are carried in suspension that the filter can't remove(especially unburned hydocarbons). Call me ****, but oil is the life blood of the engine, and it is very cheap compared to a re-build. I drive my cars fairly hard and have never had one that consumed oil, or had mechanical failures due to lubrication. I will continue to change the oil and filter according to my schedule and only have the free service done by the dealer when the time comes. YMMV.