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2000 C280 Sport Edition L6 2.8L
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hello, this is very random and bit of a shot in the dark, but I want to learn how to change my oil myself, and was wondering if anyone in NC would care to teach a fellow member? I would gladly repay you for your services. Thanks.
 

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1922 Ford T no OBD, no ECU, no SCN
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37,921 Posts
Would you be in California Bay Area -not only oil classes would be no problem, but you'd get hands on experience in muffler and differential polishing :D
You are on right track trying to DIY some work on the car, but bare in mind, that those cars require service that involves much more than just oil change.
You would hate to feel good changing the oil and 3 days later have brake light poping up.
I heard some institutes offer night classes in automotive maintenance so if you have no background at all you might want to start there.
And beware of help from friends. One young member did use friend for oil change on his ML320. Than he come to the forum asking why after oil change the engine runs, but the car is not moving. Reply after reply it become obvious that he has way too much motor oil in the truck, than it turned that while his friend added oil to the crankcase -he drained the transmission fluid.
 

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2017 Police Interceptor Utility, 2017 Police Interceptor Sedan
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7,706 Posts
Hello, this is very random and bit of a shot in the dark, but I want to learn how to change my oil myself, and was wondering if anyone in NC would care to teach a fellow member? I would gladly repay you for your services. Thanks.
While I applaud any owner's desire to become more DIY proficient, I can't help but think some procedures are simply not worth the aggravation. Or is $30 a real problem for you?
 

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1962 W111 220SE Coupe
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2,284 Posts
A good idea might be to join or at least contact the local chapter of the Mercedes club.

Mercedes-Benz Club of America Club Sections
I second this suggestion, a good way to find someone local who would be willing/capable of guiding you. The good news is these cars can have oil and filter changed from the top of the engine without getting dirty, just search under "oil extractor" on the forum. Your initial equipment investment will roughly equal one oil change then from there out you are just buying fluid/filter.

It's noble of you to want to change your own oil, I've had so-called pros nearly ruin my car when they didn't remove the old oil gasket and oil was sprayed all over my engine, tho thankfully not in my Mercedes-Benz. You will feel much more connected with your vehicle and feel more confident to take on other repairs that will save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the vehicle, and maybe save your a$$ if you ever get stuck on the side of a dark road!
 

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2017 Police Interceptor Utility, 2017 Police Interceptor Sedan
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What a condescending comment! :confused: Do you really think that DIY'ers only do it to save a buck or two?
You misunderstood me. There are some things worth learning to do. A job as messy and dirty as an oil change is better left to professionals, especially given the fairly low cost. And yes, saving money has always been a big motivator for my DIY projects, and I doubt I'm unique in that.
 

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1922 Ford T no OBD, no ECU, no SCN
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Lucky you fly that you have positive experience with mechanic, but for me DIY is not only time saving, since going to the dealer is whole day experience, but I had too many proves that oil filters were not changed with oil change not to mention my last experience with Ford dealer, where during 2 minutes recall job mechanic dropped air filter clamp inside -grinding $2000 turbo in the effect. Since the problem show up at freeway speeds later on, the dealership is declining any responsibility and I might have to add the 2 grands to my maintenance costs.
 

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2017 Police Interceptor Utility, 2017 Police Interceptor Sedan
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Lucky you fly that you have positive experience with mechanic, but for me DIY is not only time saving, since going to the dealer is whole day experience, but I had too many proves that oil filters were not changed with oil change not to mention my last experience with Ford dealer, where during 2 minutes recall job mechanic dropped air filter clamp inside -grinding $2000 turbo in the effect. Since the problem show up at freeway speeds later on, the dealership is declining any responsibility and I might have to add the 2 grands to my maintenance costs.
Yeah, Kajtek, I'm sure I'm one of the luckiest people around for never having an oil change go awry. Your experience is FAR more typical. My bad.
 

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2000 C280 Sport Edition L6 2.8L
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85 Posts
Discussion Starter · #12 · (Edited)
While I applaud any owner's desire to become more DIY proficient, I can't help but think some procedures are simply not worth the aggravation. Or is $30 a real problem for you?
Sorry, but I don't know where you get $30 from. :confused: Full synthetic is not $30. My last "professional" job was $140 and that was just absolutely rediculous.

And I agree, I would also like the peace of mind that it's done correctly. I have heard many horror stories about oil changes at local shops.
 

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2017 Police Interceptor Utility, 2017 Police Interceptor Sedan
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Sorry, but I don't know where you get $30 from. :confused: Full synthetic is not $30. My last "professional" job was $140 and that was just absolutely rediculous.

And I agree, I would also like the peace of mind that it's done correctly. I have heard many horror stories about oil changes at local shops.
If you're doing full syntec on a C280, I can't help you.
 

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2008 ML350, 2010 C300 Sport
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9 Posts
You misunderstood me. There are some things worth learning to do. A job as messy and dirty as an oil change is better left to professionals, especially given the fairly low cost. And yes, saving money has always been a big motivator for my DIY projects, and I doubt I'm unique in that.
I personally like to work on my cars and have since my first one's in HS. I find it disturbing that manufacturers are now trying to make it too difficult for a car owner to work on their cars.
 

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You misunderstood me. There are some things worth learning to do. A job as messy and dirty as an oil change is better left to professionals, especially given the fairly low cost. And yes, saving money has always been a big motivator for my DIY projects, and I doubt I'm unique in that.
Oil change on an MB with a modern engine is not difficult or messy at all.
 
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