Need advice
Need advice
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 487
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From: EASTCOAST
Porsche Cayenne Turbo, 360 C.S.
the car will alert you when it needs an oil change, although it's not recommended to keep the same oil longer than a year in the car, you may want to ask your dealer just for an oil change not for service A.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 490
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From: New Jersey
2003 S500 4-matic, 2003 SL55
If u own this car I would change the oil every 4 months just on a time basid no matter how many miles u have or what the dealer or car says to do. I would change the oil every 3-5 thousand miles.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thks for your advice guys. But i just curious to change my engine oil myself. I heard that the engine oil drain screw is different with those Japanese cars, and also do i need to remove the engine cover at the bottom? Thks
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 120
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From: Chicago
I have a 01 430 (CLK but the engine is the same as in the S) and I do my own oil changes. I don't use the drain screw because it's hidden under some panels. I use a vacuum suction (topsider works too) and suck all 8.5 quarts of oil out from the dipstick opening. Then I replace the canister filter (I use fram but OEM MB cost the same about $15) and then replenish about 8.5 quarts of the Mobil 1 Ow40 ($4.95 per quart, available at Target). It takes about 20 mins.
I change every 3-4k miles because I own my car and will drive it until it explodes.
The dealer charges $90 per oil change and uses Castrol Synthetic.
There's a link somewhere on these boards with pics of how to change the oil on a MB V8 engine.
I change every 3-4k miles because I own my car and will drive it until it explodes.
The dealer charges $90 per oil change and uses Castrol Synthetic.
There's a link somewhere on these boards with pics of how to change the oil on a MB V8 engine.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 913
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From: Wilkes Barre Pa.
Fiscal Neo Con Express
indow220,
you should at the very least change your oil once a year. my mother has a 99 E430 she never uses. it only has 4300 miles on it and i drop the oil once a year(Mobil 1!!!!). i was reluctant at first but the manual recommended it. with the new factory provided service maybe it won't be stated in newer manuals...cost savings for MB corporate!!!!
also....acids that are suspended in the oil from the combustion process are not removed by the oil filter and these acids will remain trapped in the oil. i would use full synthetic oil. it's just a little bit better than natural based lubricants in protecting your engine but hey...it's a benz right!! as for the oil plug...i have yet to change the oil on my S55 but the 00 E430 i owned the oil plug was....just....an oil plug. i for one have never had much faith in the topside method. it makes it easier but i have to believe that gravity will do a better job removing anything nasty that might be laying in the oil pan. also..as for the MB in dash service indicators...i just don't feel comfortable leaving oil in for 10000 miles. the fact that these autos are designed with a larger oil capacity still doesn't win me over. i drop mine every 5000 and use mobil 1. when i get to the 10000 miles mark i let MB change the oil during the scheduled service interval(they also use Mobil 1). well.....that's my two cents worth.
good luck.
you should at the very least change your oil once a year. my mother has a 99 E430 she never uses. it only has 4300 miles on it and i drop the oil once a year(Mobil 1!!!!). i was reluctant at first but the manual recommended it. with the new factory provided service maybe it won't be stated in newer manuals...cost savings for MB corporate!!!!
also....acids that are suspended in the oil from the combustion process are not removed by the oil filter and these acids will remain trapped in the oil. i would use full synthetic oil. it's just a little bit better than natural based lubricants in protecting your engine but hey...it's a benz right!! as for the oil plug...i have yet to change the oil on my S55 but the 00 E430 i owned the oil plug was....just....an oil plug. i for one have never had much faith in the topside method. it makes it easier but i have to believe that gravity will do a better job removing anything nasty that might be laying in the oil pan. also..as for the MB in dash service indicators...i just don't feel comfortable leaving oil in for 10000 miles. the fact that these autos are designed with a larger oil capacity still doesn't win me over. i drop mine every 5000 and use mobil 1. when i get to the 10000 miles mark i let MB change the oil during the scheduled service interval(they also use Mobil 1). well.....that's my two cents worth.
good luck.
Last edited by S55inPA; Jan 28, 2003 at 10:58 PM.
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