rusbel

Do you guys really go 10 K between oil changes? I am at 4700 miles, and I know MB recommends oil change every 10 k. I am old school, though, and feel that 5000 k should be the most a car like that goes on oil, even synthetic. What has your experience been with this?

vixapphire

i did 5k with my synthetically oiled jag S type R, and i'll do it with my e55T; i'm a buyer not a leaser, so i have no interest in taking MB's word that 10k is "good enough", since their interest is in selling me another car in 3 years -- mine is in keeping this thing for at least 10...

i did the first change at about 1300 mi. at my first "courtesy service", which was basically a look-over. i paid for the damn oil change out of pocket, no big deal. but around 3 weeks later my car told me that "Service C" was due. of course, not in the manual... so i go for service C to the dealer and they tell me it's basically a fluid check and oil & filter change. that was around 2500 mi. how ridiculous!!!

nonetheless, the lesson appears to be that if you wait, you'll end up having your car tell you to change the oil in the first few thousand miles whether you care to or not!

Fast55

First change at 500, second at 1500-2500, every 5K after that if it's a keeper. These guys want to sell you another one after it's out of warranty, not make it last.

JJIII55

Changed mine at 3000K. Filter has a fleece lining and was very clean. I know the mechanic and we looked at it together. He didn't feel it needed to be done that soon but I felt better about it.

pas

If you really want to know if you are wasting time and $$$ doing it every 5000 have the oil analyzed. Analysis will tell a lot of things about the oil including how much life it has or doesn't have left. I tried to attach a copy of a report here but you cannot post .pdf files. Anyway go to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ and you can see sample reports and get your questions answered. I have used them for years for my boats and I find the reports very useful.

Coalman

I asked the very same question two months ago. Overwhelming response was not to wait 10,000 miles. Got mine at 5,000. Why risk the additional wear and tear of dirty oil for the cost of an oil change?

pas

I wasn't saying it was a bad idea to do it every 5000 miles but if someone really wants to know if its worth it an oil analysis will give a definitive answer. No reason to spend an extra $100 on nothing every 5000 miles either.

rusbel

thanks guys. I am coming up on 5000 miles and will likely go ahead with the oil change at this time.

OzE55

...... go to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ and you can see sample reports and get your questions answered.

Great infomation on that website.
Interesting that its not the oil that's the problem it's contamination.
That suggests the best thing to do would be to install a bypass filter to remove the contaminants and leave the oil alone - the most expensive part of the exercise (and labour).
I wonder if that can be done easily?

pas

That is a more realistic solution for large engines that have gallons of oil capacity where significant saving can be gained from not having to change the oil.

For our purposes as long as the oil has enough additives and proper levels of viscosity than we can go beyond 5000 miles per oil change. I had my first one done around 5000 now I'm at 13,000 and ready to have it done again. If some of you guys that are doing them every 5000 are willing to have it tested including Total Baseline number we can get a good enough sample to have a better idea of when changes are necessary.

Kev04C320

The way I did it on my old W203: first at 1000, and then at 3000, 5000, and every 5000 afterwards.

The beast I'm doing: first at 1500, then 3000, 5000, and every 5000 afterwards.

I'm not a leaser as well.

Evolution Marine

Changed the CLS55's oil and filter @ 350, 780, & 1,200 miles. Now, from reading about the Guy's on the VW Vortex forum with 150,000 plus mile on their cars, when using 0W-40 Mobil 1 oil (the same oil recomended by MB for the 55K Motor), and changing it every 10,000 miles. They say when they change their timing chains and chain guides that the motor looks like new, cams, cylinder walls, and main bearings. So, at this point I will change the oil and filter at the recommended MB intervals, which I believe is every 10,000 miles, but at least every 12 months. - Bob