I had the 60k mile total service at the local dealer. The manual says the next Service A is due at 70k miles.

My car is saying Service A is due now, and I only have 65k miles. Is there anyway I can turn that annoying message off? Or do you guys think it's worth it to get oil and filter every 5k miles?

 

I thought the service indicators were supposed to be dynamic ... not only based on time & miles, but also on how hard the car has been driven.

 

I do oil change before and after winter clean filters suck out brake fluid after winter. I ahev never seen a service light. I service in May and again in Nov.
I would not have oil move then 5k in my car.

 

Oil should be done every 5,000

 

Okay, everyone, thank you very much. That's what I will do.

 

What does Mercedes Benz Owners & Warranty MANUAL say?

 

In my original post, I pointed out that the manual says 10k miles. There is a scheduled 60k mile major service, then Service A is next due at 70k miles.

Now I realize that much of this user manual is for generic E class cars, and our high-performance motors and turbos should probably get checked and serviced more often.

 

HUH!? 23 years owing Mercedes recommending synthetic oil - First I've ever heard that!

Got a "Service Alert/Oil Change Due email yesterday stating:

Oil Change Interval
18 months | 12,500 miles

 

really? 23 year owner but you don't remember oil coking in the m112/m113? damaged cyl walls? froze-up piston rings? oil burning? I know I sure do...

 

I do remember that. That issue was caused by regular oil. Those V6/V8 engines were also building up sludge using regular oil. I had a 1998 E430 M113 and still have a 2002 E55 AMG M113. After that issue synthetic become the recommended oil type soon after pushed oil change intervals average to 12k miles.

So I wonder why TECHNICIAN posted 5k mile oil changes above?

 

I guess everyone have their own opinion when it comes to oil changes. Others say every 3000 miles, some say 3500 miles, others say 5000 miles, etc. I change mine every 7500 miles.

Mercedes maintenance manual says every 10k miles or 1 year, which ever occurs first.

I guess times change. Better oil leads to less frequent oil change intervals.

 

Because more frequent oil changes (5k miles) help the engine last longer and helps prevent wear/damage and the repair costs associated with such. Cars that come thru my shop that follow my advice have less repair costs than cars that do 10,000 or 15,000 mile intervals... period. Ever seen the inside of an engine that's only had 5-6 oil changes in 75,000 miles? I have and its not pretty no matter what kind of oil is used.

FWIW...the warranty manual is worthless. Its written to attempt to prevent costly repairs, on the manufacturers dime, within 50,000 miles from new. They don't give a damn what happens outside that timeframe generally speaking.

 

I see. So your advise is purely a financial benefit for you own pocketbook. So glad I'm not bringing my cars to you and getting ripped off because of your opinion and personnel belief AKA money maker. Not trying to start an argument nor debate because you will defend it but you are kinda dishonest if you tell your customers "FWIW...the warranty manual is worthless" and pay me for 5k mile oil changes when 12k miles changes are recommended.

 

Lol I expected that type of response from you. Stick to your 12k mile oil changes then chief and you'll find out eventually. If you knew anything about the auto industry you'd know there is no money to be made doing oil changes (unless you run a jiffy lube type business model) so I have no financial motivation there. You also sound just like the type of customer I would fire anyway so the feeling is mutual.

 

My thoughts exactly when I first read his response.

Actually, I've own quite a few beater cars with over 200k miles on old dino oils with oil change intervals between 10-15K miles and not one engine has failed during my ownership. Btw, they're not German cars so maybe that's why? You're a mechanic, a shop owner....if you have no financial motivation, then why even offer the service? or even operate a shop or work at all? I can only guess you're doing it because it's a hobby? or that your pockets too deep to worry about it?

I'm pretty sure the dealer can set the maintenance reminder to any miles they want. The more frequent, the more money from those who don't know/want their hands dirty. Just food for thought, the other day I called my local Mercedes dealer inquiring about the 60k miles maintenance or Service B. Oil and filter, engine/cabin filter and a bunch of inspection...$600. They also recommended auto trans fluid/filter change....$850. Brake fluid change...$375. Spark plugs....$700. Total = $2500+, not including taxes. Financial motivation? Probably not.

 

"type of response from you" - Quite sure anyone/everyone reading how your overcharge your customers by recommending excessive oil changes will have the same response even if not calling you out. Since "there is no money to be made doing oil changes" that's your financial motivation to do 5k oil changes.

A customer driving 50k miles would typically get 4 oil changes but at your shop you have billed them for 10. Enough Said!

 

Non-german beater cars don't apply to this discussion. This is a mercedes forum and the OP was asking about a modern Mercedes correct??

Like I said above you do you. I surely won't lose any sleep over what oil change interval you want to do or anyone else on here. I answered the OP question based on evidence I personally see on a regular basis as well as the findings from the network of other shop owners all over the US and world that I know. I have hundreds of pictures of failures due to lack of maintenance, even when following the "warranty book". You really think Mercedes or BMW or any manufacturer for that matter has YOUR best interests in mind when deciding on an oil change interval for their vehicles? It's all about risk management to them. At 10-15k oil change intervals most engines will survive the warranty period without failure. It's once it gets to 80k or 100k and above when the issues arise. They (MB, BMW, etc...) couldn't give a sh`t if you need a new timing chain at 80,000 miles because its worn out from lack of lubrication, or your transmission loses 3rd gear at 75,000 miles even after following the factory maintenance schedule. You'll either pay their dealer thousands of dollars to fix it, you'll pay an independent shop to repair it with parts bought from them, or you'll trade it in on a new one. Any way you cut it it's a win-win for them. If you're too blind to understand that fact than that's on you.

The difference between you and I is I do this for a living all day every day for 20+ years. I have driven close to 500k miles in my own Mercedes vehicles, and I've driven and worked on damn near every model from mid 1960's to modern. I'm here to share my knowledge as an expert in this field, not a keyboard warrior like you and 99.5% of the people here. You don't like what I say, don't listen...and reap the repair costs later down the road.

 

BLAH BLAH BLAH! The forum doesn't need righteous indignation, holier than thou, superior complex people. You love patting yourself on the back and touting your experience like you're the end all be all. Obnoxious!

 

Pot meet kettle

What exactly is your area of expertise in reference to Mercedes vehicles? I'll assume the same as my expertise in being a pilot since I've flown on a plane before.

 

Still an Untrustworthy Mechanic!

 

So if MB don't give a rats about what happens to our cars after warranty, I suppose that you do? Plus, you said it yourself...."I have hundreds of pictures of failures due to lack of maintenance, even when following the "warranty book". So why tell people to change their oil every 5K miles if the risks are still there for those who changes theirs at 10-15K? Sounds totally financial motivation to me.

 

I don't brag like you but I am a Certified Mechanic. Since you brought up flying, I am an ex Military pilot. Selling all my used flight jackets, flight suits, glasses, manuals, leg straps etc. on eBay as we speak. Would you like to bid LOL!

 

I've got over 600k miles on MB's with 10k mile oil changes sitting in my driveway. There is no need to do oil changes every 5k miles unless you are driving the vehicle like you stole it or tracking it every day.

 

Jeeeze what about all the issues attributed to crappy design..

Example:
HEAD BOLTS

MB is not the end all be all of great anything...
Just another company out to make a buck SELLING/leasing cars.... so they want happy customers to come back and buy/lease more cars

HAS anyone ever had engine issue related to changing oil by MB book?
That is only attributed to said oil change interval and not MB crappy design?

 

Can't believe it's as bad as you say overall. If breakdowns and failures have happen to you I understand your disdain. Mercedes-AMG makes V8 engines for Aston Martin and the V12 in Pagani hyper cars