For those of you with the Free Scheduled Main...

[BelaMeca]

I got an 04 model,that came with the FSM. So they tell me that the last oil change and inspection was done in December. Do you guys just follow their recomendations and change your engine oil once a year,or do you change it more often like every 3-5k miles? What about the tranny fluid?

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[Stiggs]

Originally Posted by BelaMeca

I got an 04 model,that came with the FSM.
So they tell me that the last oil change and inspection was done in December.
Do you guys just follow their recomendations and change your engine oil once a year,or do you change it more often like every 3-5k miles?
What about the tranny fluid?

When I was under warranty and had free maintenance I would get a free service once a year wich was about every 10K miles. In between those at around 5K miles I would pay for an oil change myself. I wasn't comfortable letting the car go 10-15K miles between oil changes. But they only covered a free service once a year or when the computer said it was time. I figured paying for the oil change was worth it for my peace of mind.

[MARTYMAR]

Originally Posted by BelaMeca

I got an 04 model,that came with the FSM.
So they tell me that the last oil change and inspection was done in December.
Do you guys just follow their recomendations and change your engine oil once a year,or do you change it more often like every 3-5k miles?
What about the tranny fluid?

Good question Bela! Now that I've put 5k miles on my car, I want to change the oil (Mobil 1 5 30w) to be exact. So I have a little over 68k miles total. Should 5 30w be cool?

[da_guitarist]

they recommend 0w40 or 5w40 on our engines. i'm not sure if there is any danger using a slightly different viscosity.

[MARTYMAR]

Originally Posted by da_guitarist

they recommend 0w40 or 5w40 on our engines. i'm not sure if there is any danger using a slightly different viscosity.

Cool thanks guitarist! Now I have to go back and get more oil I bought 5w 30 Mobil 1. I don't want to chance it so I'm going to go strictly by the book and get some 0w 40 and put the 5w 30 in my Honda

[SoCalCLK]

Originally Posted by MARTYMAR

Cool thanks guitarist! Now I have to go back and get more oil I bought 5w 30 Mobil 1. I don't want to chance it so I'm going to go strictly by the book and get some 0w 40 and put the 5w 30 in my Honda

Good idea. Mobil 1 is the correct brand, but the viscosity must be 0W-40 or 5W-40 for AMG 55 engines. For some reason the 5W-30's will not provide the needed protection at higher engine temps.

As for the OP's question, oil changes every 5K are good, and the tranny fluid is "sealed" and not schedueled for changing, but I prefer to change it every 40K miles.

[BelaMeca]

Originally Posted by SoCalCLK

Good idea. Mobil 1 is the correct brand, but the viscosity must be 0W-40 or 5W-40 for AMG 55 engines. For some reason the 5W-30's will not provide the needed protection at higher engine temps.

As for the OP's question, oil changes every 5K are good, and the tranny fluid is "sealed" and not schedueled for changing, but I prefer to change it every 40K miles.

so did you change your tranny fluid already?and if so,who has done the work?how much would a dealer charge for a job like that?

[SoCalCLK]

Originally Posted by BelaMeca

so did you change your tranny fluid already?and if so,who has done the work?how much would a dealer charge for a job like that?

No, I did not have it changed yet. When I go in at 40K for the oil change, I'll ask how much it costs and let you know. I'm thinking $100-200 at the dealer.

[BelaMeca]

Originally Posted by SoCalCLK

No, I did not have it changed yet. When I go in at 40K for the oil change, I'll ask how much it costs and let you know. I'm thinking $100-200 at the dealer.

muchas gracias Senor!

[MarcusF]

Originally Posted by BelaMeca

so did you change your tranny fluid already?and if so,who has done the work?how much would a dealer charge for a job like that?

I've had my 430 done twice now.

This is what I paid my local dealer in 2006.

Transmission oil filter (part number 140-277-00-95) - $15.95
Pan gasket (part number 140-271-00-80) - $ 16.50
Lock pin (part number 140-991-00-55) - $1.65
9 quarts of fluid (part number 001-989-21-03-10) - $88.15
Labor - $206

A standard fluid change will use less fluid (5 quarts when they did mine last month).

[BelaMeca]

Originally Posted by MarcusF

I've had my 430 done twice now.

This is what I paid my local dealer in 2006.

Transmission oil filter (part number 140-277-00-95) - $15.95
Pan gasket (part number 140-271-00-80) - $ 16.50
Lock pin (part number 140-991-00-55) - $1.65
9 quarts of fluid (part number 001-989-21-03-10) - $88.15
Labor - $206

A standard fluid change will use less fluid (5 quarts when they did mine last month).

good info!
Thanx.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by Stiggs

When I was under warranty and had free maintenance I would get a free service once a year wich was about every 10K miles. In between those at around 5K miles I would pay for an oil change myself. I wasn't comfortable letting the car go 10-15K miles between oil changes. But they only covered a free service once a year or when the computer said it was time. I figured paying for the oil change was worth it for my peace of mind.

I second that. Better quality of synthetics notwithstanding, gunk is still gunk. And of course, the less they get you to change your oil, the more repairs they can bill you for down the road.