The oil wars reignited (medium-long)
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The oil wars reignited (medium-long)
I've always had a feeling that extended oil change intervals were asking for trouble, and Mercedes just confirmed it. Merc USA has sent a letter to every owner of a 1998/99 Mercedes, and if you think about what's behind the letter it's pretty chilling.
Here's a quote from the letter: "Based on vehicle performance testing, our engineers have concluded that for vehicles equipped with Flexible Service System, continued optimal engine performance at service intervals called for by FSS can only be maintained through the consistent, long-term use of pure synthetic motor oil. For that reason, pure synthetic motor oil is now the only engine lubricant recommended by MB for 1998 and 1998 model year vehicles equipped with FSS."
And: "Among the brands of synthetic oil we suggest are Mobil 1, Valvoline, Castol and Shell."
So, in order to save money on company-paid maintenance, they create this high-tech FSS system which can lead to very long change intervals, and then they discover that engines are dying (must be a lot of warranty claims).
Also makes you wonder why they restrict it to 1998 and 1999 models. Did they change over to all-synth for 2000/2001 models, or did they readjust the FSS to go off sooner?
Even Consumer Reports recommends 6K changes.
Here's a quote from the letter: "Based on vehicle performance testing, our engineers have concluded that for vehicles equipped with Flexible Service System, continued optimal engine performance at service intervals called for by FSS can only be maintained through the consistent, long-term use of pure synthetic motor oil. For that reason, pure synthetic motor oil is now the only engine lubricant recommended by MB for 1998 and 1998 model year vehicles equipped with FSS."
And: "Among the brands of synthetic oil we suggest are Mobil 1, Valvoline, Castol and Shell."
So, in order to save money on company-paid maintenance, they create this high-tech FSS system which can lead to very long change intervals, and then they discover that engines are dying (must be a lot of warranty claims).
Also makes you wonder why they restrict it to 1998 and 1999 models. Did they change over to all-synth for 2000/2001 models, or did they readjust the FSS to go off sooner?
Even Consumer Reports recommends 6K changes.
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Audi Variable Service gives up to 19,000 on petrol engines...
... and I think up to 29,000 on diesel engines!
The only permitted oil with AVS is Castrol SLK Longlife 0W30, which comes in Castrol livery with the Audi 4 rings symbol on the front. It's only available from Audi dealers, and is not cheap!
I've been through my first AVS service (every AVS service is like a 20,000 regular service) at 15,000 due to a glitch the dealer introduced into the system when setting AVS, but the current indication is that I should get between 18,500 and 19,000 miles between services.
As services are not included in the purchase cost in Europe, this is cheaper than alternate lubrication and full services every 10,000 miles.
The only permitted oil with AVS is Castrol SLK Longlife 0W30, which comes in Castrol livery with the Audi 4 rings symbol on the front. It's only available from Audi dealers, and is not cheap!
I've been through my first AVS service (every AVS service is like a 20,000 regular service) at 15,000 due to a glitch the dealer introduced into the system when setting AVS, but the current indication is that I should get between 18,500 and 19,000 miles between services.
As services are not included in the purchase cost in Europe, this is cheaper than alternate lubrication and full services every 10,000 miles.
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