Saw this article in the local rag, thought it was pretty interesting.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-000018575mar13.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Dhighway%5F1

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)

So whats that old saying that we all try to live by?

Ohh yeah, Larry bibles famous "Change it hot and Change it often"

I change mine every 3000 - 4000 miles no matter what, including the filter.

With that in mind, why the hell woudl anyone, regardless of manufacturer claims, wait any longer?

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

When the manual says 7500 miles it usually says normal driving conditions, That being said very few cars are driven under what is considered normal driving conditions, around town and short freeway trips are severe driving conditions thus needing much more frequent oil changes, Ashman has it right 3000 to 4000 miles should be the maximum miles driven between changes no matter what kind of oil you use including synthetics. oil is way too cheap not to change it often, I'm sure Mercedes owners follow this rule but jap and US car owners are notorious for not doing maintenance untill something goes wrong.

I haven't changed the oil in my new E420 yet, but I haven't driven more than 3000 miles yet. Both the owner's manual and the dealer say 12,000km (7,200 miles), but I think that is a pretty long change interval. I don't think I'll let it go half that, even though my driving is 85% highway. On the other hand, I have a closed end lease, should I just let them worry about it? I have signature class warranty (Starmark to those of you south of the border) that lasts until the end of my lease. I haven't decided if I will keep it or not, but I have three years less 2 months to decide.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

The 7500 mile number is a maximim, no minimin is listed.

Ever notice the oil makers say 3000 and the engine makers say 7500.

I'm one of the fanatics who change their oil every 2,500 miles.

That allows me to rotate my tires every other oil change, which keeps me in sync with the 15,000 / 30,000 mile service.

If you stick with 3,000 mile oil changes and rotate your tires every other oil change, you get out of sync with the major services where you wouldn't rotate tires.

I also love changing my oil, inspect the car, pride of ownership, blah blah blah.

I'm also a convert of Larry Bible's "change it hot, change it often"!

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

What I found interesting is the quote from the Valvoline engineer who stated that oil typically lasts 12K-15K miles before sludging occurs, and easily 15K miles of highway use. Aligns rather well with MBs recent oil change recommendations.

Also interesting that they quoted Charlene Blake. She's the lady who spent so much time on the internet collecting evidence of ABS problems in Chrysler minivans. Despite Chryslers complete denial that a problem existed, she eventually collected enough statistical evidence - using the net - that the NHTSA reviewed the problem and ordered a recall. I think Toyota better lookout.

The most "fanatical" person I remember hearing about was a guy who changed his oil twice every 3000 miles.

He would get the first oil/filter change. Upon completion, he would drive around for a few minutes, then go back and have that oil and filter changed! A double change!

If I remember correctly, the car was an early/mid-90's 300SE/S320 and lots and lots of highway miles.....I think this was in The Star about 4-5 years ago. Ring any bells?

Owners changing their oil avg. intervals of 9,000 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whats wrong with these people!

They buy a $30,000 automobile, and cant spend a lousy $25 on an extra oil change! I mean get real! Im on Toyotas side on this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the owners can't prove the had an oil change once a year, they the dont deserve getting an engine replacement. THATS VERY FAIR.