Marty.

Thanks for the reply as I value your insight. The 15K OC interval was instructed to me from my dealer, whom I purchased the '99 on starmark. I questioned the "extended" length, even knowing it was synth. The service mgr demonstratively said he would call the factory and let me have the nice German man tell me the same.

If it is indeed, the FSS takes the cumulative driving conditions & provides the optimium OC, I will be going that direction. Good to know after 170K of driving.

Thanks for the clarification. BTW my bus DD 6V92 w/7.5 gal + filter is under $100...

Gary

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Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

FWIW your oil is probably just fine even up to 15K miles but what your dealer told you is not correct. I have never gone that far but always had oil analyses done and even at 12K the lab has said I could have gone further. I never wait for the FSS to tell me to do it, I just do it at 12K because I don't like driving further than that on an oil change...but that is being conservative and erring on the side of caution.

The factory produced the FSS for a reason. It adjusts service intervals based upon several factors and would not exist if there was simply a "rule" as to how often to change it. I'd be curious to know what they think the FSS does if it doesn't tell you how often to have service done?

It is also puzzling that they would tell you 15K as that is about the most you should drive between changes.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

It was my astonishment that prompted the call to the motherland. I was at 10K for the first 120K, but have been extending that to 12.5K. I agree that even synth. oil is cheaper than running the engine to the limits of the oil.
I do get annual oil analysis on the bus, but that is a 2 cycle engine.

Thanks and have a wonderful Labor Day.

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Gary
Experience is something you get, Just after you needed it....
'99 E300 295K, '83 300D 220K, '75 240D 185K sold
'80 MCI Bus Conv DD 6V92TA, w/4 cyl. Kubota diesel GenSet 12.5KW

You too.

Sounds as though you (correctly) disregarded what they told you regarding the 15K O/C.
I'd bet that dealer has "Klaus" in the back room answering the phone "mit his haccent" to re-assure everyone who questions him

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Thank you all for your input. I found it. All that is left is the capacity. (Oil) We purchased the car new, all the literature that came with the car, I have reviewed. As in all our previous cars, capacity is always noted somewhere. On this one, as someone pointed out, apparently the thoughts were you were never to service the oil yourself, you would job it out. Anyways, if all fails, I will measure the amount removed and use that as a starting point.

The service charge, for just the oil change and checking a few things out is about $300. (Flex A check) But, there normally is other things that become due at the "check" time that pushes the cost into the $500 range, this last one was the diesel injector service. Regardless, I believe I will begin to service this car as I have done the '87 190D and '93 300D...and the are running just fine.

Any idea on this special tool needed to get to the oil filter, and where one may purchase it?

Thanks,

You must have missed my reply:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=2288080&postcount=14

I like the "injector service" charge...I wonder exactly what they do to service the injectors. Sounds like they perform a "wallet draining" followed by a "hearty round of laughter".

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Yes I did miss your reply. Must have been too busy on the second job...working to pay that Mercedes bill. Thanks again.

All the is left now is finding out the capacity.

Ok, I believe I am ready to tackle the task...I have the filter location, oil type and quantity. Possibly a cold beverage and I am set. I did locate the dip stick. It is on the drivers side, close to the firewall. Have a great Holiday weekend.

Good luck, I know it is hard that first time you put a tool to a new car...in my case it was the '08 C300, but when it was all done I said to myself, "that's just like every other car I have ever changed the oil on so I don't know why I was so reluctant to do it!"

If you drain it from the plug be sure to pick up a new crush washer for the drain plug.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I too have one. The "special" tool is available at Autozone, Pep Boys, et al. A strap wrench works too.

Are you sucking the oil through the dip stick as recommended? I kind of like the whole arrangement. I just might install white shag carpet in my garage.

Start with 71/2 quarts and check your stick after starting the engine to circulate then shut down, wait awhile and recheck. Your dipstick range is two quarts.

"Awhile" shouldn't more than about 5 minutes. The correct fill level relies upon some oil remaining in the top of the engine; its to be checked during refueling stops, etc., not after sitting overnight.

Regarding FSS oil change intervals on older models (feels strange to say that BTW), the max allowed is one year or 16k miles. Mine trips at 16k usually as I drive 110 easy freeway miles per day. If your mileage includes lots of short city tirps where the engine doesnt get to full operating temp FSS will reduce the interval accordingly. At 16k miles, my M1 shows virtually no soot or fuel contamination and retains more than 50% of its TBN's. I'm very compfy with the interval based on my driving style.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Last oil change on the 05 CDI was less then a hundred dollars, but I had my own oil. I know if they provide the oil it is about $10 a quart and the total is still under $200 even with 8 quarts used. But then I do not have a Blutec, just the last of the real MB diesels.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

Hey Folks,
Any idea as to resetting the service reminder after the check is done?

The B service my dad had done on the CDI cost less than $400. Our regular service adviser was on her day off when we took the car in, so we had a different one. She happened to be in for a bit when we picked up the car and we asked her why it was cheaper than expected. She looked at the invoice and said they forgot to charge us for a filter but did indeed put it in. She said "sometimes these things happen" .

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Dale

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k
2000 E430 - 103k
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k
2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel
2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz

Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/10502/?requestedDocId=10502

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz