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  #1  
Old 12-03-2002, 11:00 AM
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Oil Change -- ML 320

Just bought a new 2003 ML320 and am concerned about the FSS and oil changes. Use nothing but synthetic (Mobil 1 in gas and now Rotella Synthetic in diesel), but still change at 5,000. What is the conventional wisdom on waiting for FSS intervals. Is there a problem with changing oil at 5,000 intervals. Can it be done at home. I have a topsider for the oil, but do not know where the oil filter is or haw hard it is to change. Could use the dealer, but pretty pricey, particularly with 8 qts of oil at dealer prices. Any suggestions.

thanks

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03 ML320
99 C230K
85 300D 164K
93 190D 2.3 (sold)
62 220S (sold)
58 220S (sold twice -- a long story)
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  #2  
Old 12-03-2002, 03:55 PM
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MB is in the process of settling a class-action lawsuit on the damage caused by FSS-recommended oil change intervals. Go to http://www.jacobsenlaw-pa.com for details.

As far as a lesson on changing the oil in your ML, why don't you take it to an indie shop and watch them do it once?
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  #3  
Old 12-03-2002, 09:33 PM
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The lawsuit mentioned (which I haven't really heard much about at the dealership level, may involve more like the district managerial-type people) pertain to the early FSS vehicles (98-99) BEFORE the use of synthetic was recommended (that's what I keep reading anyways).
Since they are using the Mobil1 product, i doubt there will be any problems with the FSS service.
If you decide you want to change it more often than called for, make sure you or they do NOT reset the FSS, as it will take even LONGER before the FSS will call for a "free" FSS service.
I would highly recommend using the topsider as opposed to pulling the drain plug, as MB warns that pulling the drain plug can result in problems with the rubber bushings the used oil will come in contact with. It really makes a mess!
The oil filter is really easy to get at, it should be mentioned in the owners manual. It's under kinf of a dome shaped cap at the front of the engine up on top, kind of near the oil cap itself on the drivers side valve cover.
If the topsider proves unsatisfactory, you should be able to bring your own oil to the dealership and have them change the oil.

Gilly
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  #4  
Old 12-04-2002, 02:39 PM
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Thanks Gilly

Thanks Gilly, is there any special kind of oil filter for the 3.2 engine. Will a Mann or Hengst do ok, or should I get one from the dealer to ensure I do not run into a warranty issue.
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03 ML320
99 C230K
85 300D 164K
93 190D 2.3 (sold)
62 220S (sold)
58 220S (sold twice -- a long story)
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  #5  
Old 12-04-2002, 10:10 PM
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Bob:
I am sure one of these manufacturers is the one producing the filter for MB anyways, so I wouldn't worry too much about the brand. You could possibly buy them here at PartsShop, thus getting the MB filter and help support this site.
If I remember I'll check to see what brand we are getting in the MB box at our dealership.
The 112 and 113 engines all use the same part number oil filter.

Gilly

Last edited by Gilly; 12-04-2002 at 11:23 PM.
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  #6  
Old 12-04-2002, 11:15 PM
mickey.1430
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FSS

Hi Bob:

Welcome to the world of the M-class. I have something like 119k miles on my M so let me give you my data point on FSS intervals.
First, the engine sump has about twice the oil in it as a standard
engine so, in terms of diluted dirt, you are only putting about 6k miles per oil change which is only twice that of the '3k mile' rule of old. With the tight manufacturing tolerances and great oil available today, the 12k-13k normal FSS intervals are no big deal.

If you are worried, have your oil tested. I do and the test house always tells me to keep the oil in longer. I started with Mobil 1 10W-30 and switched to a heavier grade after MBs letter went out. I now use Mobil Delvac 1 SAE 5W-40 which is a universal oil formulated for diesel but also suited for fleet gas use. The choice of oil is an exceptionally emotional topic as a simple search of these archives will reveal. There is a list of MB approved oils at:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/index.html
under 'Shop Talk'.

May I suggest that you get copies of the MBCA 'The Star' for May/June 1998 and July/August 1998. These two issues have DIY instructions for the common maintenance items such as oil and filter.
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  #7  
Old 12-05-2002, 07:49 AM
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Thanks Gilly, Need

Will find the Star articles, interested in make of filters Gilly, really appreciate it. Just trying to be careful with the new Benz.
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03 ML320
99 C230K
85 300D 164K
93 190D 2.3 (sold)
62 220S (sold)
58 220S (sold twice -- a long story)
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  #8  
Old 12-05-2002, 08:37 AM
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Bob:
One thing I don't think Tom aka Mickey.1430 considered is that your new Benz has the Maintenance Commitment plan on it, which as you know provides the free FSS services for the warranty period (4 yr or 50,000 miles). During this time, most dealers will be using the Mobil1 0W40, or there are a few allowable substitute oils, all of them synthetics (see the "recommended fluid" pamphlet that came in the owners packet).
I do agree with what Tom says, that what is generally overlooked is the large oil capacity of the engine, then also add in to the factor that it should be running synthetic oil. MORE oil means MORE capacity to suspend contaminants, so it should take much longer for that much more oil to become unacceptably dirty.
If you decide to do "in between" oil changes, I'm sure everyone would understand that it would be best to continue using the Mobil1, not changing from synthetic to Delvac (which I agree is an excellent oil, and I am glad Tom is getting good results with it).

Gilly
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  #9  
Old 12-05-2002, 03:13 PM
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What needs to be understood is that MB doesn't even publish a single-source publications for their own dealer techs, much less the public. Some books that are available, like what we would receive in training, are still ot all that good at reference for making repairs. How to change oil? Not there. Torque specs? Not there. Remove the engine? Nope. The most complete source is WIS, the Workstation Information System (computer based system). It has to be leased through MB, I understand it is quite expensive. There may be some info posted here about obtaining WIS, but also remember that it covers much more than the ML.

The "cleaner" way to change the oil is a Topsider or other such oil extraction equipment.

To reset FSS: Turn key 2 clicks to the "on" position, push trip reset button twice and rather rapidly, the time or mileage remaining will be displayed. Then hold the trip reset button down, with your other hand turn the ignition to "off", then back to the second click "on" again, the whole time holding down the trip reset button. After turning the ignition back to "on" you need to keep holding the reset button down, it will take about 10 seconds. The cluster will beep at you once and the display in the dash will again read "10000". The instructions for doing this are also in your owners manual.

Gilly
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  #10  
Old 12-05-2002, 03:49 PM
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ML320 Oil Change

Hi. I'm new to this site as well as new to Mercedes. I bought
a 2001 ML320 a couple of years ago - overall its been great.

I just did my first oil change as the 50k free service honeymoon
has ended (I've got 57k on it). And what a huge mess it does
make! A small amount of planning on MB's part would have been
nice to avoid dumping the oil all over the front end linkages, etc.

The oil on the rubber bushings is good to know - I'll have to
figure out a cleaner way to do this in the future.

I've been trying to find a service manual for this car and it seems
MB hasn't published it for the masses yet. Is this their normal
way to treat customers?

Now that I've changed the oil, how does one reset the FSS
system to start keeping count again??

Thanks much.
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  #11  
Old 12-05-2002, 04:19 PM
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Gilly...is this a case of deja vu? You've replied to dac77 before he asked the question...Mercedesshop is amazing!
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  #12  
Old 12-05-2002, 08:40 PM
mickey.1430
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Hi DAC77

I posted above, under the subject FSS, dates for two Star issues which have DIY instructions for simple maintenance items. Back issues are still available, at least they were last year.

As far as draining the oil, there are 2 choices: suck out the oil thru the dip stick tube or bottom drain. For the latter, there is probably some MB part number for the following simple fix to the oil mess: use a bent piece of cardboard as a channel to direct the exiting oil away from the cross member into your favorite container. Discard said cardboard.
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  #13  
Old 12-05-2002, 10:09 PM
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Dean:
In the "user cp" (user control panel) we can all set our appropriate time zones we are in. i believe dac77 may have his set incorrectly. I will double-check mine to make sure it is correct. This is how the thread can become out of sequence, especially if the responses come fairly quickly.

Tom, there is no part number which substitutes for the piece of cardboard trick. MB strictly forbids us from draining via the drain plug on an ML, we must use an oil extractor. Before this was made mandatory, we used mostly old antifreeze jugs that we cut to shape.

Gilly
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  #14  
Old 12-05-2002, 10:14 PM
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You set your time zone as follows:
Go to "User CP"
Go to "Edit Options"
scroll down to "Date and time options"
the second item in "Date and Time Options" is "Time Offset",
click on the box there and find your time zone.
Mine is correct (Central Time Zone)

Gilly
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  #15  
Old 12-06-2002, 09:12 AM
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Red face

Gilly,

Sorry for the unnecessary question. I scanned through the
owners manual looking for the FSS info before asking the
question but managed to miss it completely.

Thanks much for your quick response.

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