2003 E320 oil change

[Rod]

I just picked up for my wife a 2003 E320 with 52,000 miles and in perfect shape. Serviced by the dealer since new and just took it in on a trade.
I talked to the previous owner and she verfied everything since her husband died.
Ive have had a S300 and 420sel and but this is the first car that does not hav a dipstick to check the oil. The car checks the oil for you.

I just picked up two 5qts MobilOne oil and a filter. the book says 8.5 quarts.

It just seems strange not having a dipstick.

Anyone else feel the same way?

[pawoSD]

You can get a dipstick for them I believe from the dealer to check it. I agree it is dumb to not have a stick. Its the "hands off take it to the dealer" motto they are trying to permeate through the car.

[d.delano]

Originally Posted by pawoSD

You can get a dipstick for them I believe from the dealer to check it. I agree it is dumb to not have a stick. Its the "hands off take it to the dealer" motto they are trying to permeate through the car.

Might be that the general population is becoming a little less inclined toward doing anything themselves anyway. Couple that with the sophistication of modern cars and the associated costs of repair. Checking or changing the oil on a brand new car is still the same process as it is with the old ones. The thing is, now you have to buy the dipstick and the computer to reset the service message.

If MB can eliminate a dipstick from every car produced think about how much money they can save cumulatively. Then simultaneously require all cars to come home for maintenance. Maximize the revenue potential. They call that 'synergy' in corporate jargon. I call it pure genius.

I know a lot of people that could actually screw an oil change up pretty badly if they did it themselves. One old man in particular I know of has a new C class he refuses to drive at all because the tire pressure monitor always goes off. The remedy is buried in the COMAND system, but he's 80 and refuses to learn how to 'work those gimmicks'. Meanwhile the car just sits there.

If people actually wanted a user-serviceable item then such items would still be for sale.

[mbzman]

Remember when people use to check their oil when they stopped for gas etc.? Now I never see anyone doing so. I bet many owners never bother to check oil level even once between services.

[Rod]

One would think that with the car being able to check it's own oil, you would think it would have a Startrek oil filter.

No, it's not a screw on filter, it's a cartridge type like my 22 year old 420SEL.

Just to say............

[Rahulio1989300E]

When I change the oil on my M113 powered car, it is much more of a chore than my M103 powered car.

M103:
1. Park car on level surface.
2. Loosen oil filler cap.
3. Slide 1x $8 Autozone catch can underneath drain plug.
4. Remove oil pan drain plug and wait 10 minutes.
5. While waiting, remove old oil filter with oil filter socket, extension and ratchet.
6. Prep new spin on filter and install.
7. Replace drain plug.
8. Remove and clean dip stick, set aside.
9. Fill with 6 quarts of oil Rotella or Delo ($CHEAP), check with dip stick, add more as needed.
10. DONE!

M113:
1. Park car on level surface.
2. Drive car onto ramps.
2. Loosen oil filler cap.
3. Remove 6 screws holding front engine protection pan.
4. Remove 4 screws holding rear engine/transmission protection pan.
5. Remove pans from under car, hope to god you do not crack one of these fiberglass pans. ($$$ each)
5. Slide 2x low profile oil catch cans ($8 each) under two different drain plugs.
6. Remove 1st drain plug.
7. Remove 2nd drain plug.
8. While you are waiting 10 minutes, remove oil filter stalk.
9. Remove old oil filter from stalk.
10. Remove 6 o-rings from stalk.
11. Install 6 new o-rings to stalk.
12. Install new oil filter to stalk and install into car.
13. Replace 1st drain plug.
14. Replace 2nd drain plug.
15. Fill car with 9.5 quarts of Mobile 1 0w-40 ($,$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$,$$$) OR SO IT SEEMS SOMETIMES!
16. Start car briefly.
17. Remember how to check oil using computer.
18. Check oil using computer. Hope to god if anything it says it is under and not over.
19. Replace rear under cover.
20. Replace front under cover.
21. DONE!


Now I know a Mityvac would be ideal for the M113 car, and even some dealerships use them to service cars... but something inside me will not let me use a Mityvac to change my oil.

Also, it is true that my M103 is missing the under cover like most other people's cars on these boards. I will not deny that my M113 car actually needs these covers as it is fairly low to the ground. The labor with the covers will pay off if there is ever a time where some road debris punches a hole and rips off half of a cover rather than take out a chunk of oil pan.

[Can't Know]

Just for the sake of completeness...

Every dealership and the vast majority of mb indies use an extractor to change the oil on the modern engines. I drain mine, but only because I have no room to store an extractor.

OP: all Mobil1 is not created equal. The only one you can buy off the shelf that meets MB spec is 0W40, and I've never seen that in 5 qt. containers. If that's not what you bought, may I suggest returning it? After all, what matters more than draining or sucking is what you put back *in* the crankcase.

[Rod]

I bought 2 cases at samsclub each has six single quarts of MobilOne

[Can't Know]

Originally Posted by Rod

I bought 2 cases at samsclub each has six single quarts of MobilOne

Neither Sam's nor Costco carries the proper spec oil for your engine. Your risk if you to choose to use it.