1st oil change and subwoofer

[lacamastraveler]

My brother, who owns two large auto repair shops in Oregon can list all kinds of things wrong with the high mileage auto manufactures list as oil change intervals. And no, it is not because he wants to change oil more often for profit. . oil changes are a very small part of his business.

I called two MB dealers. One said 10,000 miles; the other 7,000. Both said annually regardless. I suspect I won't put even 7,000 miles on my Solera annually so will change every September.

[Pixelbum1]

Darned good point! Diesel oil soots up rather quickly and I imagine would become very "goopy" come the 7,000 mi. mark? Gas engines are a different breed and circumstance and with synthetic would probably be "ok" that far (note the "apostrophes..."). Other than my Solera MB I also own three gas engine auto's and rarely let them go past the 3,000 mile mark...usually 2,000...even with Walmart synth.
Just had to have the valve cover gasket and spark plug-well seals changed on my 95' Accord (200,000 mi. +...dunno as the odometer stopped working long ago) and the tech went out of his way to comment on how CLEAN the engine interior looked
around the rockers, etc. I have NEVER(EVER!) had an engine burn oil on me and have driven many a kind (including my '84 Sub. diesel) over the 200,000 mile mark w/o that problem. Other petty problems yes, but never that. Of course I always change the oil & filter myself( since I took my first votech auto shop class @ 16 just to learn how to $ave) and it has paid off ever since.
So, yes, not going past the 7,000 mile mark or better yet, and\or the one-yr.
rule is a very sound one and simply cheap insurance against such an expensive engine. You take care of "it" and "it" will take care of you, right? Your brother is spot on...PB

[Mikegjax]

I have always been a "more frequent" oil change kind of guy especially when I was not using synthetics.

With the synthetics I run them closer to the manufactures recommendations, minus a little. I change the Solera every 8000 or one year. My thoughts are that with 13 quarts in there the oil does not get as bad as say most vehicles with 5 quart systems. Any contaminants are much more diluted. Another factor is fuel being lead free also reduces contamination.

I run synthetic in all my machines including my old Harley.

Having said the above, I am always looking for a better way!

[Pixelbum1]

You follow my philosophy too (or is it the other way around lol?). Oil is the lifeblood of any engine and I'm amazed at how lax many people get when it comes to oil service...the horror of it all. Oh, you mentioned 13 qrts? I only need to stick 12 in there (I think it sez 12.3 but an even 12 brings it up to the full notch on the oil dipstick for me. I double checked this too while at the Sprinter dealer when buying the oil. That's what you meant right. Mine is a 2011 with the 3.0 BluTec but then maybe yours is younger and they changed the capacity requirements?? Just makin' sure! Good luck, as a sidenote, with the Hellwig DIY, and let us know how you like. Wish I could help you...PB

[Mikegjax]

Changed my oil and filter today as a matter of fact. This is my second change and I put 13 qts each time. Puts the level exactly on the full mark after running the engine for a couple of minutes. Mine is 3.0 2013 and the manual says the oil capacity is 13.1 qts. I will double check that.

Have just under 16,000 miles on the unit and wanted to get it changed before my next trip.

Strange that 12 qts is all yours takes.

[Mikegjax]

Just checked the book and boy was I wrong. The MB manual says the capacity with filter change is 13.21 us qts or 12.51L .

Maybe the dealers 12 qts comes from that liter figure?