Oil Change Intervals on C230K

[coolin]

Hey everyone, I am a new member and really enjoy the site. I have a quick question relating to service intervals on my 2000 C230K.

Every other car I have owned has required oil changes every 5,000 Km. According to the FSS counter on my C230, oil changes are to occur every ~15,000km. I understand that using synthetic oil has allowed them to lengthen change interval.

However, after about 7,000km of driving, I consistently notice more engine noise and a sound I can only describe as a "flutter" under acceleration. This "flutter" I think is normal as I have driven a couple other C230K's and have noticed the same noise.

My car is dealer maintained. I check my oil level frequently and have never had to add any in between changes.

Do others encounter this problem? Should I ignore FSS and change every 5,000-7,000km?

An explanation of the "flutter" (valve noise?) would be appreciated.

[manny]

I don't experience any " flutter " on my car ( same as yours ).
Are you sure it's not pinging?
Are you using 91 or better octane gasoline?
Change my oil @ 10 k km, even though with my style of driving, the FSS says it's okay to go 15 k.
I use Mobil 1 0W40.
;)

[MrSpace]

did you know that on the 2000 and less C class they use regular oil?

I as shocked when I learned this, using normal oil and setting oil changes at 15 000km wow!

Now i ask for synthetic oil changes, it'S 99.99$ instead of 69.99$ and still I do them at every 15 000kms

Etienne

[manny]

Originally posted by MrSpace
did you know that on the 2000 and less C class they use regular oil?
Etienne

That's not what this says: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

[jnolte]

i change my oil every 3-5k miles

And everytime the oil is black as hell.. I could never seee how people change it 10k miles!

[SLAMMED_C]

The FSS system is really a guidline to go by for the major or minor service (A or B), and for supposed oil changes of 15,000KM intervals.. thats a little bit too much of a time lapse for me!!
I personally change my oil every 5000KM and use synthetic oil.
Id also recommend doing oil changes every 5000KM is best IMO, and of course using synthetic oil, but thats up to you.

As of 1998 (when the FSS system was first introduced) and newer, all cars with FSS are required to use synthetic oil, I believe its for Warranty purposes with mercedes benz (as they can possibly deny warranty claims with engine related problems, I thought was what I had heard)

As for the flutter noise.. possibly supercharger... the M111 engine is a bit noisey compared to other MB engines, normal though.

[MrSpace]

I'll have to check, because my dealer told me they used regular oil

Etienne

[jnenad16]

Originally posted by jnolte
i change my oil every 3-5k miles

And everytime the oil is black as hell.. I could never seee how people change it 10k miles!

hell yeah, me too. my oil is blacker than black at 2k. but i drive like a maniac. and I use oil treatments all the time too, yet the oil is black after 2k. so all of you that change your oil at 10k or more, dont pay attention to fss, just change it every 3k if you want your engine to last.

nenad

[coolin]

5W-50 syn oil changes aren't cheap. But I guess there cheaper than a rebuild.

[benzaddict]

You wouldn't believe what the inside of these engines look like at 50,000 miles when only the regular 10,000 mile services are done. Absolutely awful! Our dealership recommends an "in-between" oil service at 5000 miles. Of course, all MB cars after 1998 must have synthetic oil used or the warranty will be void for engine related issues. If your dealer says it's not using synthetic then they are in violation of MB policy, unless the client declines the more expensive oil. Just my opinion, but oil is a lot cheaper than pistons!

[alboogiee]

im no expert... but depending on the use of the car would determin what oil i put in the car.. my car i drive HARD, and i also do allot of city driving i.e. stop and go.. its a 99c230, i use synthetic b/c it tends to keep my engine temp down... my wife car 99ml430, i use regular oil, b/c all she does is go to the grocery store and to pick up the kid...

as for oil change intervals, well dont even take other cars into consideration, my personal opinion, correct me if i am wrong, hondas and "lower" cars (i own a honda too, im not hatin) require more frequent oil changes, the german/benz is engineered for less maininance...apperently:D so you can go longer between trips to the stealership... but my opinion is driving habbits... again i change my oil 2-3k miles b/c i drive hard, allot of cold starts w/out letting the car warm up... but my wifes car i let go 10k miles... feel free to correct me if im wrong...i am no mechanic

[MrSpace]

Originally posted by benzaddict
You wouldn't believe what the inside of these engines look like at 50,000 miles when only the regular 10,000 mile services are done. Absolutely awful! Our dealership recommends an "in-between" oil service at 5000 miles. Of course, all MB cars after 1998 must have synthetic oil used or the warranty will be void for engine related issues. If your dealer says it's not using synthetic then they are in violation of MB policy, unless the client declines the more expensive oil. Just my opinion, but oil is a lot cheaper than pistons!

I re-re checked with 1800-for-mercedes and also with my dealer

1800 for mercedes did not really know, she told it was the dealer.

the dealer re-told me that before 2000 they always put regular oil in every car..

masybe in canada it's different

Etienne