My First Oil Change in Pictures

[magneticred]

The Crossfire uses 8.5 quarts - start with 8 and add extra if needed.

The oil should meet MB 229.3 or 229.5.

[Firstpoet]

Originally Posted by magneticred

3. Sump. Drain plug is on the passenger side. I put the car back level before draining the oil. The drain plug is 13mm. The drain plug has a copper washer. Be sure it goes back on with one.

Just wondering if you removed the oil plug when it was on the ramps how did you get it off the ramps to drain it and then how did you get it back up on the ramps to put the plug back in...before adding your new oil?

thanks -

[magneticred]

I only used the ramps for removing the splash guard / aerodynamic aid that covers the bottom of the engine. It is easy to reach the drain plug with the car level on the ground. Make sure you have a copper washer on the drain plug when you put it back in.

[Violenteer]

is it wise to give the engine a flush with clean oil, say a cheaper brand, and then drain that, and then put in the good oil, just to make sure that it perfectly cleaned out?

[James1549]

I am getting ready for my first oil change as well. I have everything I need, I think. Since I deal with NAPA on daily basis, I bought my NAPA GOLD filter there. $10.25 and it says Wix right on the bottom of the box.

I keep hearing people tell me that my car holds 8 qts of oil. I have an '04 Limitied, not the SRT. What about this chart out of the Service Manual?

[Display_Name]

The service manual is wrong. This has been discussed on other threads.

The owner's manual correctly specifies 8.5 quarts.

The 2005 service manual, which includes the SRT-6, specifies 8.5 quarts for both NA's and SRT's.

[Highlander]

Originally Posted by magneticred

I only used the ramps for removing the splash guard / aerodynamic aid that covers the bottom of the engine. It is easy to reach the drain plug with the car level on the ground. Make sure you have a copper washer on the drain plug when you put it back in.

Copper washer???? Okay, explain that for me. I have everything I need to do my first oil change this weekend but a copper washer for the drain plug???

[magneticred]

There is a copper "crush" washer that is on the oil drain plug. It is generally recommended that a new washer be used. I was careful, when I removed the plug, not to loose the washer; and was careful not to over or under tighten the plug putting it back on. There is a picture of the washer at benzworld.org:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...00510848pm.jpg
I would not reuse the washer indefinitely, since this could lead to a leak.

[Mimi05SRT6]

Wow, I changed mine for the first time also yesterrday and it was so much less messy with the filter on top. I put in AMSOIL 5W-40 with the Mann filter 7078 from Napa. I used the same copper O-ring on the plug and it seems to be ok. I usually get a few changes from 1 O-ring.

[alky68]

how do you reset the serice light on the dash ???

[magneticred]

1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position.
2. Within one second press the knob/button to the left of the display twice.
3. The present status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed. Within ten seconds turn the key to OFF.
4. Press and hold the knob/button to the left of the display and at the same time turn the key to ON/RUN again. The present
status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed once more. Continue to hold the knob/button to the
left of the display.
After approximately ten seconds, a tone sounds and the display shows 6,000 miles (10,000 km) for approximately
ten seconds.
5. Release the knob/button to the left of the display.

If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, the counter must be reset.

[wardkew]

Oh. My. God. I've been trying to order some of the Mann filters from the Mercedes parts site listed above, and its like pulling teeth. I went to the web site, entered the filter info, found the page, and went to checkout, but there was an error on the page, repeatedly, and it wouldn't let me check out. An e-mail to customer service prompted a response directing me to a different web site, but part of the same company, so I went to Autopartsplace.com, entered the vehicle info and hit add to cart. A message came up instructing me to call--they needed more vehicle information. So I called, told the guy that answered what I wanted, got passed through two more operators, gave the vehicle info again, was put on hold for 5 minutes, gave the vehicle info again, waited some more, and was then offered a wix, fram, or purolator filter. I told the guy I wanted the Mann fleece filter and gave him the A6002-132846 part number listed above. The rep requested the part number three more times, then told me it was not one of their part numbers, and that there were no Mann filters available to fit the XF. Sorry. After hanging up, I input the same part number in their search function, and...imagine that, the Mann fleece filter kit popped up. I'm thinking these guys don't know what they're doing and don't know their products or their own web site. Not sure I trust them with my credit card info. Anyone know other sites with good prices on the Mann filter?

[Mac57]

What about the Bosch Fleece Filter # 72204. Available at my local Checkers Auto for $18.99 plus tax. Also, should I go with Mobil 1 5W-40 instead of 0W-40. Read threads but still unsure about. Thanks,

[magneticred]

As I understand it, the Bosch 72204 is basically a re-boxed Mann filter. If it is fleece (synthetic) and looks and fits like the OEM I would think it would be fine. I would choose an oil that meets MB standard 229.5. Unless I'm mistaken, Mobil 1 5W/40 is a diesel oil. I would think it should be fine, but would probably put you at risk of voiding the warranty since it does not meet this standard.

[+fireamx]

Originally Posted by magneticred

As I understand it, the Bosch 72204 is basically a re-boxed Mann filter. If it is fleece (synthetic) and looks and fits like the OEM I would think it would be fine. I would choose an oil that meets MB standard 229.5. Unless I'm mistaken, Mobil 1 5W/40 is a diesel oil. I would think it should be fine, but would probably put you at risk of voiding the warranty since it does not meet this standard.

If I'm not mistaken, Mercedes has started using Mobile1 5w40 weight oil in all their new cars. I think I read where they feel it offers better lubricating properties than what is available with 0w40.
A phone call to a Merc. service department could verify.
Sometimes forum members report a "HI" reading when they refill with 8.5 qts.
I've changed mine 7 or 8 times now, and I always refill with just 8 qts.
It's better to be a little under than to overfill.

[Highlander]

Originally Posted by magneticred

There is a copper "crush" washer that is on the oil drain plug. It is generally recommended that a new washer be used. I was careful, when I removed the plug, not to loose the washer; and was careful not to over or under tighten the plug putting it back on. There is a picture of the washer at benzworld.org:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...00510848pm.jpg
I would not reuse the washer indefinitely, since this could lead to a leak.

thanks!!!!!!!!!

[sonoronos]

Originally Posted by Violenteer

is it wise to give the engine a flush with clean oil, say a cheaper brand, and then drain that, and then put in the good oil, just to make sure that it perfectly cleaned out?

I don't know, but that sounds expensive.

[CALL911]

You guys are making this whole process WAY too complicated. Its just an oil change! No different than any other car except for taking off the plastic shield and changing the o-rings on the filter. I realize some people are new to this, and when they read these threads, they get scared out of doing it themselves. It's really straight forward. Just do it. Sorry if some people get mad, but when I got my car, I did a thread search about this and thought, "oh my god, this is going to be complicated". Then I went out to do it and I could not figure out what all the fuss was about.
As far as the filter conspiracy, Ill take my chances with the filter I got from advance auto. They had a deal for 5 quarts of Mobil 1 and a free Mobile 1 filter for 26.99. Mobile 1 does not have a filter for the Crossfire, so I talked to the manager and they gave me a Purolator. I bought three for about 81 bucks plus an extra quart and got two oil changes for about 43 bucks each! Plus I've got another filter!
By the way, I go 8000 mi. between changes. The hardest part of the whole thing is reseting the service indicator. Usually takes me two or three times!

[+fireamx]

Originally Posted by Violenteer

is it wise to give the engine a flush with clean oil, say a cheaper brand, and then drain that, and then put in the good oil, just to make sure that it perfectly cleaned out?

About the only "cheaper" oil you could find to use as an "engine flush" would have to be petroleum based, which isn't supposed to be inside our engine.
Synthetic oil encapsulates impurities so well, that I don't think there is a reason to "Flush" the engine.
There are commercial engine flushes available, but I really think they don't amount to much more than kerosene. Using one of these would actually rince away the very thin "synthetic oil" film that clings to all the metallic surfaces the oil comes in contact with, causing more internal wear.

[James1549]

Originally Posted by CALL911

By the way, I go 8000 mi. between changes. The hardest part of the whole thing is reseting the service indicator. Usually takes me two or three times!

Does an '04 require resetting the indicator? What year did that start?

Thanks, James