How often should we change engine oil?

Hi guys,

The recommanded oil change is at about 15000km. It seems pretty long. Lot of people said that it is better to change engine oil at about 3000km-4000km. Does it really matter/necessary? My Dealer said if Mercedes is not worry about it, u shouldn't. Nonetheless they said they can do it for me if I really wanted. But is it necessary?

Happy motoring,

ET

[akry]

ET,

It WILL never hurt, but HELPS when change oil more often then factory suggested. I would say 6000km because of the great weather(less polution)in Canada. However, my personal recommendation is that, change every 4500 - 5000 km OR change every season.

I changed my oil every 3 months as I put average of 9500 km on my car each year. I feel more comfortable with it as my car ALWAYS sit in garage during winter time...., if follow MB's 15000km for oil change, then I wouldn't have to change my oil for 1 1/2 year.

P.S. No matter how long/short I have the oil changed, I will always changed the oil right after Winter Time though....feel more "safe".....well, call me picky...

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
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http://akry.web.com

[This message has been edited by akry (edited 06-03-2000).]

[zrusny]

Since the car is factory filled with synthetic oil, it is not really necessary to change as often because it does not break down as quickly as non-synthetic oil. The primary reason of changing the oil is to get the dirt out. Ken Smith (the owner of Car Guys) told me that if I just changed my oil filter,the oil would clean up, and it wasn't necessary to change the oil. I look at the oil change process as cheap insurance and even though they say it's OK, I'm going to change my oil at the end of June with 3500 miles. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

Hi guys,
Thanks for ur valuable inputs. I think I will do it for the peace in mind ^.^ soon (Maybe just the oil filter depend on which is more economical).


Happy motoring,
ET

The oil change question comes up a lot on the various boards.
The thing that always stuck in my mind was that oil is the cheapest thing your car uses, why not use the best and change it fairly often? I change synthetic oil at 5,000 miles and conventional oil at 3,000 miles.

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Bruce R. 98 SLK
MBCA
Greater Washington Section
Need more POWER !

[yal]

I just change it anytime I feel like it under or up to the recommended change interval of course. The manufactures recommending change interval is exactly that a "recommendation". If I feel I have driven the car hard over a certain time or if its been a bad summer heat wise I change it. If its been a snowy winter with not much driving I wait a little.
I use semi-synthetic and change at 4000miles give or take about a 1000.

yal
88 230E (W124)

[Chiragp]

I have been following the FSS system in my ML430 for the past year and haven't done any oil changes yet (purchase May 99 and currently has 4100 miles on it.) In March I had the dealer look at the oil, and he said it was clean and no need to change it. On our 190E 2.6, I have followed MB's recommendation for the 7500 mile interval oil change with the 15000 miles interval maintenance. Its work great so far, and haven't found any flaws in MB's recommendations. I figure they know their cars better then anyone else. I agree that getting an oil change is cheap and easy thing to do, so I guess its all up to what you prefer to do, change the oil Sat Morn, or go out for a drive

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

Thanks again guys! Although oil change is not expensive, it will be a waste of everyone's time & efforts to get it done. Just wanna to make sure that local service people are not avoiding it because they are too busy.

Happy Motoring,

ET

[Lee Scheeler]

Get a Topsider, a couple OE oil filters, (if needed for your model) an oil filter wrench/socket, and just do your own. It takes less than 30 mins, is super easy to do, and you *know* where the car is/who has done what with it/its done right/etc. Stop by your favorite dealer or independent for the service work, but the "in-between" changes are far too easy to do yourself. Oil can be picked up at a myriad of places so just go with whatever is most convienant to you there.

Hope this helps...Lee

Thanks Lee,

Come to think of it, it will be fun to do some DIY! Thanks for the brilliant suggestion!

Excited about DIY,

ET