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Mercedes-Benz C-300 2008

266 messages,  Last post on Aug 18, 2009 at 8:25 AM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan


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#244 of 266
Re: fuel [tunisjs] by sawyerc
Dec 25, 2008 (9:31 pm)
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Replying to: tunisjs (Dec 25, 2008 6:38 pm)

Great idea on the mixing of gas. My wife has a c280 4 matic and does something similar. With gas prices at their current level she makes sure she buys a good brand and 87 octane most of the time.
#245 of 266
All-time oil change question. by be325
Jan 09, 2009 (9:39 am)
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Our 2008 C300 Lux is 13 months old and has 5300 miles.
I see a message about service ....and I believe ..it is time to put a new batch of synthetic oil and new filter.
The fact is that the car has been running flawlesly all this time ... yes on regular gas since we bought it ...and I see no need to take time, spend money.. because I think is not necessary at this point.
Synthetic oil in my car should last 10,000 miles according to the manual.... and I know people who change oil at 15,000 becouse that is how much they drive in 10 months. I am sure there 2 schools (1) change oil often (3k) as it is a good for the engine; (2) go by the milleage.
Who came up with that magic number of changing every 12 months ..no matter how much you drive?
#246 of 266
Re: All-time oil change question. [be325] by jrct9454
Jan 10, 2009 (6:55 am)
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Replying to: be325 (Jan 09, 2009 9:39 am)

Well, you're stuck:
 
-If you want to keep the warranty in effect, you need to get the oil changed now....period.
 
-In the "olden days", e.g. through about the 2005 model year, MB used the FSS computer [Flexible Service System] in the US market [ and still does in many other areas of the world ]. Under the FSS, you could go 24 mos or about 10-16k miles, depending on usage - number of cold starts, avg speed, coolant temps, etc. These factors were calculated by the onboard computer, and decided when to get the oil changed. Many car makers use a similar system. Our 2002 C-class generally went 18-24 mos. and 12-14k miles under the FSS.
 
MBUSA opted to discontinue the FSS and go back to fixed service intervals, claiming customers were "confused" by the FSS. Magically, at the same time, they also stopped paying for all service during the warranty period [BMW still does, VW has a 3-year program, Volvo stopped and will apparently now start their prgm again. Audi dropped their paid svc pgm.].
 
Translation: dealers complained they weren't getting to see the customer enough in the service dept....so now you show up for an oil change once a year, whether you need it or not. This is about dealer revenue, not about the health of the engine.
 
In our case, 1 year for our '08 C300 Lux coincided with about 8500 miles - doesn't matter - get the oil and filter changed and the service book updated, or you run the risk of having the warranty voided.
#247 of 266
2008 C class child safety locks by murphydog
Jan 10, 2009 (4:28 pm)
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OK -
 
Question for everybody - my 08 does not have child safety locks on the rear doors. There is a hole for the lever to engage locks, but the lever is not there. The 09 models have the same hole and there is a lever to engage the child safety lock.
 
So - is this missing from my car, or did MB not include it on the 08 models?
 
Thanks everybody!
#248 of 266
by jrct9454
Jan 12, 2009 (6:14 am)
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Far as I know, it was not a feature on the '08s. Doesn't matter to me, but others have commented on the child-lock issue, so I'm pretty sure all of the '08s were as you describe.
 
I'd have to check my owner's manual - did you?
#249 of 266
Re: [jrct9454] by sawyerc
Jan 12, 2009 (1:44 pm)
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jan 12, 2009 6:14 am)

I just checked my C300 and it has the slot but no lever for the child lock. It is like they forgot to add it. I'm really surprised that the slot would be there without the lever.
#250 of 266
Re: All-time oil change question. [jrct9454] by be325
Jan 13, 2009 (9:02 am)
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jan 10, 2009 6:55 am)

I informed my 'service advisor' at the dealer via email about the service message. In his response, he tried to tell me how important this service was ... and that there were other things involved beside changing oil & filter, however, he NEVER mentioned that magic word: warranty .... and that failure to service the car right now would be detrimental to the car's warranty. Isn't he paid for being well-informed?
 
I realize that if the engine broke down due to lack of proper lubrication, it would be my neglect.
You wonder how in the past could MB let the car out of sight for 18-24 months and still honor the warranty?
#251 of 266
Re: [sawyerc] by murphydog
Jan 13, 2009 (10:07 pm)
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Replying to: sawyerc (Jan 12, 2009 1:44 pm)

my 08 is the same, and no mention of it in the owners manual. The 09s do have the lever.
 
Not a big deal, I will ask if I can have it installed, and yes I have a 3 year old with very busy fingers!
#252 of 266
Re: All-time oil change question. [be325] by jrct9454
Jan 14, 2009 (6:45 am)
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Replying to: be325 (Jan 13, 2009 9:02 am)

Well, my experience is that dealer SAs vary in both skills and experience, so nothing they tell [or don't tell] customers surprises me any more.
 
Here in Portland OR, the Service A cost $170 [I told them not to rotate the tires, since I do that myself at much shorter intervals than the book calls for]. I think you have to regard that as the cost of ownership, and just get on with it.
 
Of course, the potential risk to your warranty might not ever manifest itself - it really depends on how confident you are in your ability to fight with MBUSA in the unlikely event the engine has an internal problem in the first 4 years of ownership. You can be sure though, that IF something happened, they would use the oil change interval as a reason to deny a claim; it's up to you as to how important that risk is against the extra $300-400 you might spend in the next 4 years on oil changes that are probably not necessary.
#253 of 266
Re: All-time oil change question. [jrct9454] by omerjr59
Jan 14, 2009 (10:27 am)
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Replying to: jrct9454 (Jan 14, 2009 6:45 am)

I own a 2008 C300 4matic Sport....the manual states that you "DO NOT" rotate tires if your vehicle is AWD.
 
As for the oil change, its Mobil 1 a "synthetic" oil, when does Mobil recommend you change oil?
 
My Benz is 14 months old and I have yet to break 5,000 miles.
 
Do miles come before the 1 year time frame?
 
Synthetic oils do not break down as fast as standard motor oils.
 
Plus I have 2 brothers that are ASE certified mechanics, that can do work on my car...for FREE. Why go to a dealership?
 
As long as I keep a record and receipts, I believe at MBUSA has to honor its warranty.
 
best to all
 
Billi

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