Maintenance Intervals
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 7
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From: Raleigh, NC
2015 GLK350
Maintenance Intervals
How many miles are you getting between maintenance reminders?
It seems I am getting them more frequently now that I am retired and driving less total miles per year.
Seems to be about 4K miles? (I would think with nearly 7 qts of synthetic it could go 7K)
Thx
It seems I am getting them more frequently now that I am retired and driving less total miles per year.
Seems to be about 4K miles? (I would think with nearly 7 qts of synthetic it could go 7K)
Thx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
I don’t go by dumb computers, how you drive , where you drive is more important. I know Mobil 1 looses its anti friction package at about 3000 miles because it always drives much better even if I change oil at 3000, which I rarely do. But I’ve ruined oil with only 1000 miles in winter in Chicago with a cooling fan stuck on running at zero. If you live where it’s warm and drive highway than maybe 7000 miles. But not in the city in, short trips, in winter.
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: WI
GLK 250
I know Mobil 1 looses its anti friction package at about 3000 miles
I think Mobil would have a few things to say about that, but judging oil by the seat of your pants isn't very....technical, to say the least. Be that as it may, if you're not towing or racing, the factory recommended interval of 10k miles or 1 year is more than adequate for most people.
Of course, it should go go without saying that this interval relies on using appropriate MB spec oils for your motor.
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2013 glk 350
A lot of the 10,000 mile bs is getting people into thinking they don’t need to do anything for 10,000. That relates to the auto manufacturers and the oil manufacturers. Perhaps if you do cross county or long trips you get closer. But read the exceptions involved, traffic and weather conditions. As I said I’ve ruined oil black in 1500 miles with a fan stuck on, in zero weather driving, not until the car warmed up. I’ve been using Mobil 1 for maybe 30 years, I know what changing it at 4-5000 does.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 188
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From: Toronto, Canada
GLC300 (mine) GLK250 (wife's)
Computers are probably not quite as dumb as you think. Many OEMs began incorporating "intelligent" oil monitoring systems in the late 1990's. GM, Delphi, Bosch, Daimler and others were at the forefront of trying to take the guesswork out of oil change intervals. Daimler's ASSYST system monitors and stores multiple engine operation parameters (vehicle speed, coolant temp, RPM, oil temp and a few others that I can't remember). The system also uses one or more dielectric sensors which measure changes in oil capacitance to determine the level of contaminants in the oil. Ever wonder why ASSYST asks for the oil spec (229.31, 229.51 etc) when re-setting the system after an oil change?
I don't know the specific ASSYST system algorithms used on the 276 and 651 engines but I'm pretty sure that they're more reliable than any anecdotal guesstimates that some people advocate.
I don't know the specific ASSYST system algorithms used on the 276 and 651 engines but I'm pretty sure that they're more reliable than any anecdotal guesstimates that some people advocate.
Last edited by karmikan; Apr 5, 2021 at 12:04 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: WI
GLK 250
A lot of the 10,000 mile bs is getting people into thinking they don’t need to do anything for 10,000.
That I can agree with. You should be checking oil level every fill-up, checking your air pressures in the tires regularly, especially in winter when temps fall and so do pressures, etc.
However, the OEM recommended interval of 10k miles between oil changes still applies. In your case, with a faulty fan or other components, all bets are off. The system functions appropriately when all its constituent components are operating as designed. In that case, the oil change interval is more than adequate.
Moreover, with used oil analysis, you may find that you can go beyond that 10k miles quite safely. It all depends on how/where you operate the vehicle. As I said before, towing or racing, or daily stop/start crawling through city commute is harder on everything, not just oil. But I have yet to meet folks who drive 100% in those conditions. By and large, for the average driver, 10k miles is a conservative number provided your vehicle is operating correctly, ie, without defective systems, using the proper spec stuff. End of story.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
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2013 glk 350
Oil analysis doesn’t tell how much of the additive package is left, or how oil could be building up deposits on the motor. 10k for the average vehicle is to long for maximum motor life and most driving styles.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 490
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From: Lac Ste. Marie, Quebec
2006 Alfa Romeo Brera, 2010 GLK350, 2018 BMW 640i GT, 1997 Subaru SVX, 2012 Moto Guzzi Norge GT8V
Who drives a car until the engine wears out? Pretty rare I would say. Usually a long list of other things wears away at your wallet until you say bye, bye money pit.
One thing you can count on is oil threads never get anywhere and usually end in arguments. On one motorcycle forum I frequent, oil threads are deleted by the owner/moderator as soon as things get weird and start to degrade. This usually happens within a day or two.
One thing you can count on is oil threads never get anywhere and usually end in arguments. On one motorcycle forum I frequent, oil threads are deleted by the owner/moderator as soon as things get weird and start to degrade. This usually happens within a day or two.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 319
From: WI
GLK 250
Some forums are moderated with a heavy hand at times. I think it's perfectly fine to discuss and argue different sides of an issue; everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I think this would be a pretty boring forum if everyone agreed about everything, all the time. 
In fact, this is how real learning takes place: by debating the merits of various courses of action and learning from others.
Let's look at it this way: if a vehicle manufacturer such MB, VW/Audi, or BMW, recommends a certain oil change interval then it's probably safe to use that interval. They designed both the engine and the specified oils that should be used in it. I've had nearly a dozen different models across the three mfr's in my 16+ years of driving, most of them diesels. I didn't start out paying as much attention as I should have to the owner's manual and service schedule and learned that it costs me when I do it.
So now, I replace oil and filter at/near the 10K mile mark with the spec stuff, I replace the air filter every 40k, the fuel filter every 40k, the cabin filters every 20k, and the driveline fluids every 60ishK. I have yet to destroy a car based on over- or under-maintenance. We are each free to do as we please, and if some are uncomfortable with the long intervals on most German cars, that's OK. Service it more often if you wish, it is your money after all. Whatever gives you that peace of mind knowing your car is well-cared for.
I would only suggest that we don't badmouth vehicle mfr's recommendations which are printed in your owner's manuals, which, if were unsafe would be the subject of countless lawsuits by now.
In fact, this is how real learning takes place: by debating the merits of various courses of action and learning from others.Let's look at it this way: if a vehicle manufacturer such MB, VW/Audi, or BMW, recommends a certain oil change interval then it's probably safe to use that interval. They designed both the engine and the specified oils that should be used in it. I've had nearly a dozen different models across the three mfr's in my 16+ years of driving, most of them diesels. I didn't start out paying as much attention as I should have to the owner's manual and service schedule and learned that it costs me when I do it.
So now, I replace oil and filter at/near the 10K mile mark with the spec stuff, I replace the air filter every 40k, the fuel filter every 40k, the cabin filters every 20k, and the driveline fluids every 60ishK. I have yet to destroy a car based on over- or under-maintenance. We are each free to do as we please, and if some are uncomfortable with the long intervals on most German cars, that's OK. Service it more often if you wish, it is your money after all. Whatever gives you that peace of mind knowing your car is well-cared for.
I would only suggest that we don't badmouth vehicle mfr's recommendations which are printed in your owner's manuals, which, if were unsafe would be the subject of countless lawsuits by now.
