Hello everyone, new member here. I just wanna thank you for all the wonderful information you have shared so that I can save some money on easy DIY tasks!!! More money in the pocket = more money for wife to shop = points so that I can go fishing

Vehicle: 2000 ML320
Mileage: 151,000
How I drive: Mostly highway miles (80/20) with a bit of off-roading when I go fishing at Assateague Island where we can drive on the beach.

Story:

Aside from oil changes, flat tires, and filling up with gas, I have done 0 (zero, nada, zilch) general maintenence. My buddy helped my change the brake pads out a couple months ago and that was the extent of anything I did.

After discovering this forum, the mystique of MB faded and made me realize I can/should do some preventative maintenence if I wanted to get another 150,000 miles out of my little workhorse.

Tasks:

1. Seafoam: 1 can for the gas, 1 can for the oil, and 1 can for the intake manifold via vacuum line.

Very easy process, and true enough, clouds of smoke/debris came out the tailpipe!!! It just snowed and after 10 minutes of "clearing the motor", I went to see a nice little pile of black funk . . . guess that stuff really works.

2. Cabin Air Filter change

Straight forward, easy swap.

3. Cleaned the MAF sensor with CRC MAF cleaner

The 2 wires were pretty clean, took it out, sprayed it, dried it, and started right up.

4. Plugs will be changed on Sunday.

Before/After: I used to have a little idling issue . . . every once in a while I would be at a red light (regardless of whether the engine was cold/hot) and the RPMs would dip and the car would almost stall out. This is no longer an issue. Gas consumption seemed to be on the rise and I felt like I was getting less miles/fill-up. Hopefully, after I do the plugs, this will improve as well. The motor is a lot quieter and feels a lot more responsive.

Thanks again everyone, and I can answer any questions you might have.