I change the oil on my cars every 3000 miles....I know it's stupid but they do re-cycle motor oil so I don't feel guilty. And I have never had an engine breakdown due to oil related issues. I personally only use (and have for the past years) Castrol GTX, yet, interestly, FRAM filters work great! I use 10-40 in the winter and 20-50 in the summer. And heck, it only costs like $40 anyway right? Best of luck

I saw a study recently that concluded that oil hasn't even reached it's maximum efficiency at 3k miles.

How about changing the oil per the manufacturer's recommendation and putting the $40 in an envelope to be used for real needed repairs. I know this won't solve your psychological need to "work" on your car, but maybe you can just reach under the hood and get some grease under your finger nails, and maybe rub some in your hair for that real "I worked on my car" feeling.

I've never had a engine breakdown due to oil related issues either, and you don't want to hear about my oil change interval.

Using one brand of oil over another is another load of horse poop, encouraged by gigantic marketing budgets. As long as it meets the SAE rating your car needs, you're good to go.

All IMHO, of course.

I am certainly no expert, but my very trusted independent mechanic (who is retired, picky on whose cars he will work on, often gives me advice for free, and helps me troubleshoot over the phone to save me money) recommends changes every 5,000 miles (dino) for two reasons:
1) it is easy to remember and good for the engine
2) it gives he and I an opportunity to go over the car on a regular basis and check overall condition. I do some of my own oil changes, and "getting under the hood" is a good thing.

He admits it may be overkill, but claims that if I maintain this schedule these engines will last a long time.

My 560sec which has been maintained this way for the last 100,000 miles now has 165,000 miles and the camshaft lobes look new.
My '93 turbo with 145,000 miles has been maintained this way for the last 75,000 miles and also runs like new.

It may be too often, and once and a while I slip a bit, but I have two very strong running cars that I cherish and would like to keep for another 100,000 miles!
John

John

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John Gillespie
1988 560sec - 192k miles
2006 CLK500 - 40K miles
1995 E300 - 202k miles

Nope 19K miles--translated it for you.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

No, 1km=0.62miles.

11,806miles.

The FSS in these cars monitors the engine oil's condition, driving conditions, running time between changes and all factors which dictate the interval between services. That is what it is there for.

Use the recommended synthetic oil, and follow the FSS and you will be fine. Ignore the dealer's recommendation for more frequent services, that is just their way of maximizing profits, period, and I'd bet they'd never recommend this if the zone manager from M-B was in earshot.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Just for INFO!!

MB for 2009 has AGAIN changed their oil change "stragety"....Now every 10,000. (period)

Also every 40,000 miles for the auto trans!

Has the oil quality gotten WORSE, or all this time they were "WRONG".??

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

I think they're having some difficulty figuring which is the most profitable plan for them - there's a lot of factors at play.

lol....

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1999 C280

whatever happened to the oil change every 3,000? Or was the just for the ol school mb stuff?

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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Perhaps they don't like Mobil 1 Formula M ESP 5W-40 as well as they liked Mobil 1 European Formula 0W-40.

I bet they can't change the car electronics to convert the 13K cars to 10K warning messages.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Another good oil thread, with technical information included.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert