Bill,
The fumoto valve is very secure - but, it is not childproof.
However, I don't let any of our 7 grandchildren underneath the car, and
I don't let them change the oil or drive it either.
How would it fit (the Fumoto) with all the 'panelling / underbody protection' that we have on the B. I must admit that I prefer the idea of the oil being removed via the sump drain plug I imagine you would get more gunge out that way. But due to the aforementioned 'protection' underneath the suck out method does look the easiest (and according to the manual M/B uses this method as well). The only trouble is the expense of the 'sucker'.
Well Bill, it's never encouraging when your dealer can't even do an oil change properly. Would you check the oil level after you've added the fresh oil?..... .. .. I know I would!!
I hate dealers!! The B class doesn't get the sharpest mechanic, that's for sure!!
So often, they feel you're so ignorant, that they'll tell you anything!
I don't trust them for a second!!!
No Bill, "Old School" I drain it the by the drain plug and also like to look around underneath at least once or twice a year.
Cheers, Derek
Last edited by Derek Lecours : 01-15-2008 at 08:02 AM.
I also like the idea and ease of using a vacuum pump extractor - because it is fast clean and I do not need to jack the car etc. The cost is about the same.
See this for a PELA pump Cabela's -- Pela Oil Extractors
Canadian tire has a marine extractor for under $40 part number Product #79-9008-4. It is 12 volt listed under boating supplies. The Pella unit looks like it would be cleaner.
I'm living in a Strata Complex and working on cars is frowned upon , I gave away my ramps when I moved in. Kept my small floor jack for emergencies.
1. The manual says there is a dash display for a low oil level warning. Is this the case for the B 200 as well as the B 200 Turbo? Has anyone with a B 200 actually experienced this warning?
2. What brand and grade of oil in put in the cars at the Rastatt factory? Is it QS European 5W30?
I checked my oil tonight for the first time in 3000 km since the last check. By golly that dipstick is hard to read, the oil is so clean even, at 7600 km. Anyway the level is approximately at the 1/3 mark up the operating range as opposed to roughly the halfway mark when I checked the oil before. Mind you, the engine was not as warm. On the off chance that I do need to drop a half L in before I change the oil at 10,000 km, it'd be nice to know what brand/grade is in there now. I am carrying a L of Mobil 1 0W40 in the spare tire well.
I had the dash oil warning come up when I test drove my original B (typical it was a dealers demonstrator you would have thought that they would have the oil right) seem to remember the warning panel came up red (like it does if you pull up the hadbrake whilst creeping foreward) and the alarm sounded. I think it comes on sooner than it used to happen in older cars, in other words oil light on now doesn't mean a crank grind and a new bearing job.
Mike,
If you're still within the 1 liter gauge on the dip stick, then I wouldn't worry about topping up.(especially if your oil change is quickly approaching)
Remember Keith's comments about too much oil and the fact that his dealer wants to see the oil a touch under the full mark.
Cheers, Derek
I'm absolutely sure that either synthetic 5w30 or 0w40 oil will protect your B perfectly well in normal driving in 99% of Canada.
If you dig a lot in the 'shop manual', sheets will come up showing an endless list of different oils accepted by MB.
Last edited by Derek Lecours : 01-18-2008 at 06:33 AM.
, I gave away my ramps when I moved in.
Kept my small floor jack for emergencies.
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