Oil change
 

For 2002 Models, is it still necessary to have an oil change after the break-in period (1K miles) ? I called my dealer/SA and was told that this is not necessary since all 2002 ML are now using Mobil 1 synthetic oils. Any opinion/advice ? In the past or other of my cars with regular oil, I normally have the oil change after the break-in period to remove any metal debris in the engine.

Thanks.

I changed the oil & filter on my ML after 400 miles and then every 4,000 thereafter. Don't know if it is necessary but it sure doesn't hurt anything -- which is kind of the point....

Hope you enjoy your ML for many years to come!

I'm Xtreme on this subject.. :cool:

When I buy a new one, I look for a vehicle with less than 20mi. Then I changed the oil at ~750, ~1500, ~3000 and now at ~7000. So you see I'm on my fourth oil transfusion when the dealer would have me on the first!

Of course, I'll keep these cars long past the planned obselesence of FSS, estimated to be 5-7 years ;)

by "planned obsolescence of FSS", do you mean that it is "designed" to make the engine fail in 5-7 years? I have heard of many engine problems in MLs with as low as 30K on the odometer (lifters, etc.). Are these attributable to the infrequent oil changes, especially early on, or is the 3.2 V-6 a poor engine?

agupta,

Not my intent at all to imply that the engines are bad in any way. I love my M113 engines, they are smooth and powerful!

I'm just "conspiracy theory bound" enough to believe that corporations believe more in maximizing profits through product inventory turns than ever before...DC is not immune and FSS keeps oil in there too long IMHO.

Deja vu??

The M112/113 engines aren't bad. I've heard of harmonic balancers coming apart and sticky rings.

Kuan