Do I need an oil change?

[Karter]

My Active Service System is telling me I need an oil change in 15 days. According to the manual my first oil change should be at 15,000 miles, I have 7200 miles on the vehicle. What to do?

[backdoctor]

How long have you owned the rig. There is a time limit to how long you can go before oil too, not just mileage.

[Karter]

Purchased December 2014, I think you are correct. Thanks.

[Sandiegodoug]

Mercedes says oil expires after 1 year

[Kenny kustom]

Yup! Yearly at least.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[Jim34RL]

I change my oil every 6 months as a minimum +oil filter.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

I change my oil every 6 months as a minimum +oil filter.

With the Mobil 1 blend M-B spec's there is no need to change the oil that often...and you'd go broke doing it! But I'm not going the 20,000 miles or annually M-B now recommends either. 20K miles is just a tad over my comfort zone even if the oil will handle it. The Sprinter service manager at my local M-B dealership suggested annually or around every 10K miles.

Now when does the One Year timer begin on a new MBS? The chassis may have been sitting out in a field at the FR plant waiting to be converted for a couple of months. Plus it may have sat on the dealers lot for a couple more months. For those reasons the on board computer could indicate the need for an oil change, based on time, a lot sooner than the new owner might think it is necessary.

[DaveJordan]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

Now when does the One Year timer begin on a new MBS?

I have a 2015 Solera built on a 2014 MBS chassis. I've only driven it about 8,000 miles and haven't seen any sign of the oil change can on my dash. So I got to wondering about it... I called Mercedes and the rep I spoke with said, more or less, "Don't worry about it."

I'm planning a longer trip starting later this Spring and, despite direct assurances from Mercedes, I do expect to do an oil change before I head out.

Dave

[pribbens]

My 2014 Chassis, 2015 MBS (Delivery April 2015) had about 7,200 miles before the winter break. I changed the oil then. I will not put an engine to bed with all the built up "crud" to work at the insides of the engine. IMHO 15,000 change it. The manual, the shops don't own your rig, you do, and so it depends on how long you plan to own... but trying to get warranty for some oil related issue is more frustration than I care to go through. Like others I'm working on a list of small stuff that's taking many months. Yes, I've read many arguments to and not to change early, I'm going to continue the early route. BTW if I run 10,000 miles this season, I'll go that far before putting it to be fall 2016....
Good luck.

[john.tucson]

After reading a lot about the $ 20,000 replacement cost (approx.) I change my oil twice a year. Further from what I have been advised the new improved clean bio-diesel is the worst thing out there for our little diesels. Why do you thikMercedes used to say they would void the warranty if you use anything higher than B5. Diesel . Now B20 is the norm in most of that country.

[john.tucson]

Almost forgot to mention, I bring our Solera to Mercedes for it's oil changes, not because I like paying the bills, but if I ever do have a problem ther are receipts that show the only place it was serviced was at a Mercedes dealer with their mechanics and with factory approved fluids.

[deebarjay]

all this advise and not a single question asking what rig you are driving....ford diesel books mention 15k between changes....only if service is not severe.....towing,short daily trips, heavy hauling,dusty conditions.... all severe.
my opinion, 15k is beyond the pale....1/2 that should be the maximum norm.

[raytwntrvlr]

I change mine the first of June and the first of December. Manual says 15K miles or 6 months. So I usually get about 8-10K from a change. I still can't get over how nasty the oil looks after just a hundred miles or so. Dealer says it's just a part of driving a diesel. Truck has around 40K on it now, most all towing, and has yet to use a teaspoon of oil. Wish my 2013 Chevy Malibu was as easy on the oil. It goes through 2 quarts between 3K change intervals. Service manager claims that's normal for 4 cyl engines. Yeah, I'm sure.

[DaveJordan]

Originally Posted by deebarjay

all this advise and not a single question asking what rig you are driving

Well, that's probably because this is a forum for owners of FR motorhomes based on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Guess we pretty much assume that folks are driving Sprinters...

Dave

[Tiggerdad]

Might consider having your oil analyzed. Lot's of good info. I use Blackstone. You can call or email and they will send you free sample bottles.

[David100]

I agree with changing the oil, but I would also echo that biodiesel was a bad decision. Therefore, don't neglect changing the fuel filter too at regular intervals. My 2014 owners manual says change at 30,000 miles. My service tech said that is too long for folks who are using many different brand diesel in varied locations. I only will fill up at branded stations but B20 is ubiquitous.

[Wolverine 1945]

I only own Gas engines,,, I never let mine go over 5k,,, I used to change very 3k,,,
I use SYN oil,,, I am not sure oil goes bad every year ???
I only put 3k on my F150 over the last 2 years !!!

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

I only own Gas engines,,, I never let mine go over 5k,,, I used to change very 3k,,,
I use SYN oil,,, I am not sure oil goes bad every year ???
I only put 3k on my F150 over the last 2 years !!!

Diesels are generally harder on oil than gas engines - the sulfur and soot degrade the TBN (total base number) which in part is a measure of the alkaline additives used to neutralize the acidity of the contaminants.

Infrequent and/or short driving cycles can be tougher on oil than long stretches on the highway. The oil never gets very hot and the moisture that is prevalent never boils off - which contributes to acids in the oil and engine. So the TBN can fall off towards zero even with very few miles on the oil.

There are many articles out there about oil changes and while I no longer subscribe to the 3,000 mile oil change promoted by the quick oil change industry and some dealers, I change the oil annually or every 10,000 miles whichever occurs first.

[Mikegjax]

Because I tow, I change mine every 8,000. Why, it is just a number I picked.
If the oil change is going to fall due during a trip, I change before I leave. So what normally happens is, I change my oil a lot.

Buy Mobil 1 when Napa has it on sale (usually $5.99 qt).

[Wolverine 1945]

Sam's sells Mobil 1 for $37.78 for a 6 pack,,,
From time to time they have it for $32.78 !!!