Does anyone change their own oil?

[WOOCHOW]

I have an 06 SL500 with about 2500 miles on it due to come out of storage in the next few weeks (if it ever warms up around here). I would like to do a simple oil change but the ramps I have don't appear likely to work. I bought an oil extractor from the club store and was wondering if anyone has used one on their SL. I am particularly concerned with getting the cap off the dipstick tube without damaging the sensor beneath. The car is under a cover and I haven't yet looked under the hood to see the set-up. Thanks for any help.

[fgwinn]

You don't really need to drive the car up ramps to change the oil if you use the oil extractor. I use a a Mityvac extractor and like to verify that the oil removed comes close to the 8 liter mark on the container before I refill the crankcase.

If you need to use ramps for some other maintenance, I have found RV stackable ramps (like EZ Ramps) will fit under the front bumper. The stackable ramps are like oversized Legos. They are typically 8-inch square blocks that can be stacked three high to make a ramp that is 3.5-inches high. This lets you get the car above the ground enough to use a floor jack.

Photo shown with SLK but the same ramps will work for your SL.

[WOOCHOW]

I suspect it is just a "dummy"cap on the end of the dipstick tube where I would insert the extractor tube. Is there anything there I should be careful not to break? For instance, is this cap replaceable, or does it break off upon removal requiring replacement? I would like to have everything together prior to the start of the procedure. Not trying to sound too infantile, but working on this car intimidates the heck out of me! Thanks again.

[lkchris]

2600 miles is WAY too early for an oil change.

Change it at 13K miles as your maintenance book recommends.

Changing it early is NOT doing your motor a favor.

[WOOCHOW]

hi Kent, thanks for the reply. In June 2007 my car will have been in service for a year. I believe I will receive a service prompt based on that information. Any idea about the cap on the dipstick tube?

[Don350SDL]

You are correct to change the oil after a year. You are doing no harm by changing it, and in fact after a year you are doing it some good.

I researched the cap on the oil dip tube, and it isn't even mentioned in the detailed instructions for changing the oil. In the Parts catalog, it is a replaceable item, but it does not look like it will be damaged by removing it. I have attached a tiny sketch from the parts catalog so you can see what I mean.

I would just pull it out, assuming there are no catches or locks holding it down. (If there are, release them and then just pull)

If you do manage to break it, it can't be all that costly for a new one at the dealer: A1370100335, if available, otherwise A6460100035.

Don

[WOOCHOW]

thanks, Don. that illustration is perfect and the part numbers are a big help also.
what's your take on the filter? I have a spare, but there can't be much material in the original. If I drive the car 7500 miles this summer I still should be within guidelines. I'm not trying to be cheap, just practical. Thanks again.

[Don350SDL]

I think you are safe to leave the filter in there, even though about a quart of oil won't get changed. The time factor is not that hard on the motor oil, they want to be sure the moisture gets run out.

My advice: After the new oil, drive it for about 40 minutes (or more) - go to a highway, drive 20 minutes then turn around and go home. That should heat the oil up to 80C and drive the tiny possible moisture out. Be sure to change the filter at the next service, even if it's just on time again.

In my diesel, I change the oil every 3000 miles, but the filter only every 6000 miles (recommended of oil + filter at 5000). But I'm just cheap.

Don