SLK/R170: Service Intervals
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
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From: punta gorda, florida
Slk 230 & CLK500
Service Intervals
Have an 03 SLK230, 6 speed. When I bought it they pushed the free service for 4 years/50,000 miles. Well found out that the oil change is between 10,000 to 15,000 miles & if you don't meet the mileage then you get the free oil change every 2 years. Who ever heard of waiting 2 years especially with low mileage which is harder on the oil then higher mileage. The free service is just a selling point & nothing else.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 569
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From: Chandler, Arizona - USA
'02 SLK32 AMG
Yes, it's mostly a selling point. M-B started installing the FSS system (the computer programming that tells you when service is needed) for the 1998 model year. MBUSA started including "free" scheduled maintenance in 2000. That's not a coincidence. Back in 1995, BMW magicaly increased their service intervals, too. Again, no coincidence that they started including free maintenance 2 years later.
Do like alot of enthusiasts do and either change the oil yourself or have it changed once between the scheduled maintenance visits. That will reduce your interval to 5-6K miles or 1 year, and that's no problem for fully synthetic oil, which is required for all new US-spec MBs.
If you're a do-it-yourselfer, check out the oil change writeups at www.SLK32.com. Otherwise, I suggest you just buy the oil (Mobil 1 0W-40 is recommended, about $5/quart at Wal-Mart or Autozone) and filter ($10 at the dealer) yourself, and take it to a shop to do the work for you.
Do like alot of enthusiasts do and either change the oil yourself or have it changed once between the scheduled maintenance visits. That will reduce your interval to 5-6K miles or 1 year, and that's no problem for fully synthetic oil, which is required for all new US-spec MBs.
If you're a do-it-yourselfer, check out the oil change writeups at www.SLK32.com. Otherwise, I suggest you just buy the oil (Mobil 1 0W-40 is recommended, about $5/quart at Wal-Mart or Autozone) and filter ($10 at the dealer) yourself, and take it to a shop to do the work for you.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: punta gorda, florida
Slk 230 & CLK500
I guess once a year is okay with fully synthetic but most MB's come from the factory with a blend. So if that is the case the first change is most important. Can you imagine going 2 years with that fill. I guess also by following there recommendation the engine will not give trouble till the wattanty runs ouy.
