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I am getting tools together for eventual oil change on my ‘2019 SL550 and found this fitting in a small trap door I believe to be a entry to the oil pan plug. My ramps are currently at another location so the picture was taken by reflection in a mirror.
(1) What type of fitting is this called? Reverse Torx..LOL
(2) Can it be removed with a common tool or do I need to search for something special?
(3) Does this remove the plastic trap door or is it the actual oil pan drain plug?
Thanks....
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 10-17-2019 at 09:14 PM.
Well, I found out one needs a Torx female socket for the fitting. I happen to have a really old set of SAE 12 point sockets and the 9/16” fits like a glove......
me: 2015 SL400 & 2015 ML400; wife: 2022 GLC Coupe kid: 2017 GLC SUV
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Well, I found out one needs a Torx female socket for the fitting. I happen to have a really old set of SAE 12 point sockets and the 9/16” fits like a glove......
Yes, It would be metric but the old 12 point SAE fit a lot of things they were not intended for in the first place. Just trying to line things up for that first oil/filter change. Will be interesting to see what is above this small cover and why such a beefy bolt is used for something that only weighs a few ounces.
Yes, It would be metric but the old 12 point SAE fit a lot of things they were not intended for in the first place. Just trying to line things up for that first oil/filter change. Will be interesting to see what is above this small cover and why such a beefy bolt is used for something that only weighs a few ounces.
You have 2019 SL why do you need to change the oil by yourself ?
You have 2019 SL why do you need to change the oil by yourself ?
I enjoy doing my own regular minor maintenance on my 4 tractors, F-250, Cadillac XT5, SL550, 1957 Nash Metropolitan, 1931 Model A and 1919 Model T......plus 2 riding lawn mowers!
Keeps me busy and out of trouble......
I enjoy doing my own regular minor maintenance on my 4 tractors, F-250, Cadillac XT5, SL550, 1957 Nash Metropolitan, 1931 Model A and 1919 Model T......plus 2 riding lawn mowers!
Keeps me busy and out of trouble......
Ummmmmm, Kubota!
I would have bought Mercedes tractors but they have terrible stereos, no spare tire and don’t come in Mars Red.....
PS- I generally change oil on my SL’s every 12 months or 10k miles and my ‘2019 is already 15 months old!
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 10-18-2019 at 07:34 PM.
Ummmmmm, Kubota!
I would have bought Mercedes tractors but they have terrible stereos, no spare tire and don’t come in Mars Red.....
PS- I generally change oil on my SL’s every 12 months or 10k miles and my ‘2019 is already 15 months old!
Sorry, but our tractors are not Mercedes,they’re Rolls Royce, at least that’s what Europeans are telling me...👍
Kubota....hm😡
A number of years ago, my across-the-street neighbor, who was in his mid 70's owned, among other things, a 1995 Mercedes SL. That was the only car which he'd change the oil on. I saw him doing this one day and said to him; "Mike, why not let Mercedes change your oil." He told me that he enjoyed "working" on the car. Anyway, about a few months later, while he was under his SL, doing something or another, the car slipped off the front jack stands. He was trapped under the car and suffocated to death because he couldn't expand his chest to bring in air. The moral of this story is two fold. 1) if you're working under a car, make sure it's suspended correctly, and 2) Anyone who can afford a $100,000 car, can afford to have its oil changed by professionals.
A number of years ago, my across-the-street neighbor, who was in his mid 70's owned, among other things, a 1995 Mercedes SL. That was the only car which he'd change the oil on. I saw him doing this one day and said to him; "Mike, why not let Mercedes change your oil." He told me that he enjoyed "working" on the car. Anyway, about a few months later, while he was under his SL, doing something or another, the car slipped off the front jack stands. He was trapped under the car and suffocated to death because he couldn't expand his chest to bring in air. The moral of this story is two fold. 1) if you're working under a car, make sure it's suspended correctly, and 2) Anyone who can afford a $100,000 car, can afford to have its oil changed by professionals.
Well, I can afford to pay a crew to mow my 8.5 acre front yard but still prefer to do it myself!
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 10-22-2019 at 09:54 PM.
I assume you know the Yanmar Diesel engines in J. Deere are not made in the U.S. ?
P.S.- Look 4 posts up and see I drive a F250 also.... mostly American made!
Last edited by Utopia Texas; 10-23-2019 at 09:18 AM.
I am getting tools together for eventual oil change on my ‘2019 SL550 and found this fitting in a small trap door I believe to be a entry to the oil pan plug. My ramps are currently at another location so the picture was taken by reflection in a mirror.
(1) What type of fitting is this called? Reverse Torx..LOL
(2) Can it be removed with a common tool or do I need to search for something special?
(3) Does this remove the plastic trap door or is it the actual oil pan drain plug?
Thanks....
The bolt you are referring to attaches the skid pad to the frame of the car. I have changed mine because it rubs on the pavement in my driveway and it has worn down. It’s made of a very tough plastic material. If you look underneath you’ll see it’s the lowest part of the car. The oil pan drain bolt is only accessed by removing the plastic belly pan under the engine compartment. The M278 and M276 engines are designed to have the oil extracted from the engine from the top through the oil dipstick tube. Check the service manual if you don’t believe it. You can actually extract more old oil than you can drain from it. There is a bulge directly under the dipstick for the extractor tube to go into. It’s lightly below the floor of the pan. You don’t have to lift the vehicle or remove anything from the bottom. It takes 15 minutes for oil and filter change and absolutely NO MESS. The 550 takes 9 quarts with the filter. I change mine every 5,000 miles, it’s so easy.
I assume you know the Yanmar Diesel engines in J. Deere are not made in the U.S. ?
P.S.- Look 4 posts up and see I drive a F250 also.... mostly American made!
And you probably know that we also have an engine division in Waterloo, IA. 👍
Changed the oil and filter on the ‘19 SL550 Today with a pump up “evacuator” and the whole process took 15 minutes. I am very impressed and did not spill one drop of oil.
My only recommendation is to insert the plastic tubing into the dipstick tube and mark the length to the bottom of the oil pan while everything is cold. Though the tubing is relatively stiff when cold it gets a bit flaccid in a hot engine/oil and I can see where you could possibly insert it too far and it could curve in any direction and not sit in the bottom of the pan....
10-17-2019, 05:08 PM
