Hi everyone,

Is there anybody can tell me if it is economical to change your MBz oil & filter yourself? There's one article in the DIY forum that shows how to change the oil but it seems is not that easy. Dealer ususally asked for $200 - $300 per 12.000 miles interval.
So, what can of oil and where to get this kind of oil that last 12K miles and where to get the Topsider oil changer?
Will there be any oil change warning light reminder in the instrument cluster, if there's any how to reset it?
Thanks in advance for all inputs

Frank
1997 E420

Topsider, http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&keyword=Topsider&Ntt=Topsider&N=0&y=0&x=0&storeId=10001&Ntk=All_2&ddkey=SiteSearch

Or just go to www.westmarine.com and type Topsider in keyword search.

Then you need the proper tool to remove the filter. I'm not sure which tool you need. Filters and the tool no doubt available on this website under Buy Parts.

Changing Oil and filter is very very easy. Either use regular oil or synthetic oil.
Change frequency is up to and your driving pattern.

How do you know when it's time to change again. I think you can figure out a way to remind yourself.

Is it economical? Dealer charges 200 to 300 bucks. I don't know where you live, buy my local dealer oil change is $47.00. So your cost would be what
8 qts at $2 = 16 + filter 7 = 23 bucks.

Steve

If the oil filter tool is the same as for the 6-cyl engines, this is the tool:
Oil filter tool

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

changing oil is a piece of cake. Just find the oil drain plug, let the oil out, and then find the filter and screw it off and put the new one on. Make sure everything is tight and pour new oil. Maybe that 2-3 hundred service you were quoted included other things like a tune up triee roation, etc... This is prob the easiest maintenence you can do by yourself.

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

Thanks for the inputs. Yes they're quoting me $200 alternating to $300 which includes tire rotation and diagnostic check. The service rep was saying one oil change is good for 12.000 miles so I really want to know what brand/type of oil they're using.
To my understanding off the shelf synthetic is only between 5000-7000 miles only. Appreciate any inputs

Frank
97 E420 130K
96 Previa 185K

I can't imagine running any kind of oil for 12,000 miles unless I were to buy a new car every 3-5 yrs.

I'm the type that will drive a vehicle about 15-20 yrs. before I sell it or give it to a related teenager. If you're such a person, a 12,000 regimen may not work.

The dealer wants to sell you a new car OFTEN. Enticing you with EXTENDED maint. schedules helps them to do this.

My wife bought an '06 Toyota Avalon recently. I went to the dealership at 3K to buy a new oil filter. The parts guy told me not to to change it 'til 5K. I find this "new thinking" interesting. A few years ago, they were all pushing 3K oil change intervals. Now Toyota is up to 5K. Toyota dealers in my area do not use synthetic oil. All use conventional 5W-30.

In reality, 5K may not be that bad, but I'm "old school" and it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

My 2 cents.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

You see, because they know you don't know much about this subject, they are going to skin you alive.

As to the post saying how easy the oil change is by just finding and removing the drain plug, I would make this comment. It's pretty obvious from your question that this is new territory for you. You can't just remove the drain plug. You have to have a floor jack (trunk jack unsafe), you need a jack stand for safety, you need a metric socket set and a ratchet. You need a drain pan to catch the oil. Now after all of that you need to take the oil to an AutoZone type store and dump it in their recycler. Now to get it there you have to pour it in an empty gallon milk jug or similar container. Messy Messy. Starting to think twice about saving money changing oil?

The topsider makes all of this very easy. No crawling under the car. No drain pan. Easy to take to the recyler.

I know there are people who insist on draining using the drain plug, but the cars are designed for extraction with suction out of the oil tube. Why do it the hard way?

Here's what you should do. Find a local MB or Foreign car specialist. Tell them you want a Mann, Knecht, or MB filter. Let them tell you what oil to use and when to change it. Highest possible charge $50.00 with dino oil, not $200.00. Mobil 1 at a shop? Don't know maybe $7.00 per qt. x 8 or 9 qts in
V-8. So synthetic could be $75.00.

Another alternative is to buy your own filter, online or even at the Dealer, and take it to Jiffy Lube.

Also , I believe, MB recommends oil level mid-way between the min and max mark. Definitely true for the inline 6's. Not sure about the V-8's.

Recommended oils are in your owners manual.

Steve

If you are in the US, I will guess with 90% certainty that they are using Mobil 1 0w40 in your car. 12k miles is pushing it, 5k-8k is a bit more conservative, or twice a year, whatever comes first.

$200 is insane. They charge $100-$125 to do it in my area.

Figure about $60 for oil and a filter, the rest is there labor.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

They must be using a different oil, I remeber BMW does the same thing. That's why I wanted to know if we can get the oil they're using.
I always use the 3000 miles rule of thumb in changing oil and 5000 for synthetic and have no problem at all in my many previous Hondas and Toyotas. But considering the difficulties to reach the filter and the type of filter Mercedes is using I can understand if they decided to use some sort of oil that extend change intervals

Sure you can go the the counter and buy it. They are a Mobil distributer and sell over the counter. I just bought 2 gallons of Delvac 1 today for $40. FYI they sell 0w40 for $5 a quart, which in my area is a very good price.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

If Fastlane is correct, me and you use the same filter. (I have a '94 E420).

All you need is a 13mm socket, and an extension or two; and the topsider.

Suck all the oil out, undo the bolt on the filter housing, pull of the cover, and pull the filter by its little handle. Swap O-rings (provided w/ filter) and put it all back together.
Yes, you could drain the oil via the plug, but then you would be spending alot of time under the car to remove the undercladding - save that for when you get curious and want to inpect everything hidden under there.

I use either 15W40 or 20W50 dino oil, so my input on that is moot.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Mercedes has changed their oil recommendations recently. They now say:

AMG models-Mobil 1 0W40 (don't recall the change interval but it's likely still 10000 miles)

All others 1998 to present and beyond-Mobil 1 5W40 Extended Performance using a fleece filter, changing at 13000 miles. FSS, like the SBC brakes in the E-Class, is no more.

1997 and older 15/40 conventional.

Since 2001, factory fill was Mobil 1 0W40 to be changed at 10000 miles or so using FSS recommendation. I change my '01 at 5000 miles (paper filter) for no good reason.

And I've been using a Topsider for a long time.

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Roger E.

Just curious, where did you get this information?
Thanks, Dan

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2012 E350 Bluetech

I used Mityvac model 07201 to do oil change for '00 E430. It is much better than Topsider that I had few years back. Mityvac costs a little more than Topsider, but it is much better construction and has capacity of 8.5 quarts. I do not think there is a better oil vacumm for less than $100.

I use Mobil 1 0W40 in my E430 with fleece filter since 2000, and the OCI is about 12k miles using FSS without any oil related problem.

If you use conventional oil, then you should do 5-6k oil change.

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'00 E430 Brilliant Silver/Ash

I change oil on my '96 E320 . A very easy job. I've been using Mobil1 for 3 yrs now, MB recommends 0-40W but I've used both 5-30W and 10-30W (have not used 0-40W yet), so far no problem. I go 8-10K miles before changing oil and filter. I used to change oil at 3-4K miles, that's why I switch to Mobil1 , just so that I do not change oil often. You could find Mobil 1 on sale at Pep-Boys for about $4.50/ qt... If you don't mind changing oil, stay w/regular oil , about $1-$1.25 / qt and change every 3-4K miles... same end result