Oil still good after 15K miles? - What does Blackstone report say

My 3rd oil change in 52,000 miles on my 2016 Winnebago View. I'm following the Mercedes schedule and also sending the oil to an independent lab just to be sure. Results included

[@viewfromhere8486]

So appreciate you taking the time to cover this material. Gives me the piece of mind that I’m doing it right when I tackle these maintenance items.

[@ZampostOk]

Really cool, now I’m watching all of your oil analysis . Lol thanks for posting these vids! They help a lot!

[@nmartin5551]

Ron - Your videos are so ridiculously well done!! The way you include stuff that many video makers would think “everyone” would know (like how to pop the hood) is simply outstanding!!

[@peteweilnau]

Thanks for sharing that info from Blackstone along with your own engineering background. I often wonder about those long oil change intervals, but will continue to stick with them.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Yes, many devices are lubricated for life such as suspension grease. The lubes hold up fine as long as they don’t get overly contaminated.

[@geolev1097]

Nice job Ron. You make it look so easy. With repetition comes confidence I guess. I was a nervous wreck when I did my 19VG. I was weirded out about getting the toque right and worried about that little o-ring coming off or not seated properly. Got it done though by watching your first oil change video many times to prepare myself. Thanks for sharing.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

First time is always a bit nerve wracking. That's way there is no video for my 17K oil change.

[@fordracer1415]

Thanks for sharing I’m going to be changing my oil after the next trip. It will have about 10k on it but will be hitting the two year mark, damn covid kept me parked most of last year. One thing I will say is be careful not to overfill. I had mine done at a shop when I first got it (used) and the oil light kept popping up finally figured out it was over full. Drained out about a pint and it was fine. Cheers

[@lynnknight3652]

You make it look so easy..

[@fxpthl]

Excellent Grandpa Ron! You make it look pretty darn easy AND you save a heap of $ by doing it yourself. Question: on my 11J, there are two wrenches that show up on the digital display when first started up. One small wrench and one larger. Just what do those mean?

[@volofly2011]

Hey Ron, just wanted to say Hi from one retired engineer to another (Boeing Commercial Airplanes- 35 years). We are doing our research on our first RV and are probably going to go with a new Navion / View, a V floorplan. Anyway, I enjoy your videos, very helpful. Keep them coming.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Congrats on entering the rest of your life. Our first choice was the V model. However my wife changed her mind after seeing how hifh the microwave was. The J has the best height. She uses it quite often. Good luck.

[@volofly2011]

@@ontheroadwithron2432Thanks! Been retired for 10 months now and not missing the old job a bit. Don't get me wrong, I loved my job, God blessed me with my heart's desire as an aeronautical engineer but I'm ready for the next new good thing He has for me. Hmmm, I hadn't thought about the height of the microwave. My wife and I will be using the convection micro a lot too and if it's too high on the V that might tip the scales for the J. Thing we like about the V is separate bedroom that I planned on adding a folding door to give even more "sound separation" for when needed. With the J, I can't see how that would work. Also, not sure if not having the dinette option on the V is a problem or not. Some say you don't need it for just the two of us. And the swivel seats with extra table can offset that when others are eating with us inside.

[@craiglyndaziegenhagel4344]

Ron, can you add the Amazon link for all the filters/0 rings necessary for the oil change. Thank you and as always....great videos. HEH; HOW ABOUT A VIDEO ON CLEANING AND/OR REPLACING THE EGR VALVE? Just a friendly idea.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

I believe all those links are on my schedule B video. I’ve never cleaned the egr valve. I’ll look into it.

[@nwnapper2]

Had a DMax Allison. The difference in MPG between a new air filter and an old one was phenomenal. Watch your MPG and when it deteriorates, change the air filter. It is cheaper than using more fuel, by far.

[@alyskovich]

Super!!

[@skipnardie]

I have a 2015 Mercedes-Benz sprinter van. I have enjoyed your videos and it’s always fun to learn more. Thank you for your tip about having the oil from your oil change analyzed by Blackstone. I did this in my last oil change and it was very useful. I noticed on your report that you drove 15,700 miles between oil changes. I have always changed my oil at 4000 or 5000 miles and used Mobile 1 synthetic, it’s hard to think that the vehicle can go 15,000 miles between oil changes. I’m currently at 7000 miles and contemplating doing an oil change. My last oil change was last year and the report from Blackstone was great. The van has less then 90,000 mile. What is the recommended interval mileage for the oil change for this engine? 3.0 diesel

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

You have the same engine I have. The owner’s manual will give you their recommendations. I believe it is 20k like mine. Remember, these diesels have twice as much oil and it should last twice as long as a gas engine. Do what’s comfortable for you.

[@jeffreeves7012]

What's part of the owners manual? I couldn't find intervals any where?

[@petefellwock5741]

Never seen an oil filter like that one before.

[@robwidmer5396]

Hey Ron, great job on your series of videos! I have a 2013 Sprinter based Winnebago View I only drive 4 to 5000 miles a year. I’ve been changing the oil annually. Do you think it’s safe to ignore the calendar and just change oil by mileage? How about the fuel filter? My manual says 20k miles with no mention of months. Thanks!

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Your engine is very similar to mine. My chassis is a 2015 model and Mercedes recommends oil change every 2 years or 20,000 miles. Up to you but i’d be comfortable going every 2 years between changes. I’ve been changing the fuel filter every 30-35k miles. I carry a spare since you never know if you get a bad batch of dirty diesel and need to replace it. So far i plan on changing mine next summer. I have 64k miles on it and have replaced the fiker once at 37k miles.

[@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234]

I habe a Fumoto on my Toyota Rav4... its GREAT.

[@Mikheno]

Ron, which Fumoto drain valve did you need (make or model)?

[@FurrariAussies]

Good stuff. What is the cost of the oil test?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

$30 for basic tests.

[@thomasstaples4385]

Hi. I noticed that the dealer placed the emissions upgrade under the hood but did not replace the instrument cluster, what year is your MB ? Let us know if any issues come up after they performed the upgrade

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Mine is a 2016 View. It has the 2015 chassis. So far there has been no difference after the emissions recall.

[@DinakarJayarajan]

Nice video. Do they sell diesel at Costco?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Some do. Varies by location.

[@vivh6254]

We have a 2008 Mercedes Sprinter Era that needs power steering fluid. The team at Oreilly’s gave me ATF+4 Transmission fluid and they said it is for the power steering. Is this correct?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Best to check with your dealer, but I don’t think that is the correct fluid.

[@cipug1980]

Hi Ron I have a Thor Compass on the same Mercedes and I bought it basically new but kept in a garage for about two years. It had 900 miles when I bought it and now it has 2500 after few trips around. The computer is keep telling me that the maintenance is now 325 days past due but since it wasn’t driven, my question is : what should I do about that , just reset the computer or actually do an oil change and everything else you did in this video? Your help is really appreciate. Thank you. Ciprian See you on the road!

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Well, clean oil can sit a long time, but since it has been driven a few thousand miles, it will have some impurities in it. MB says change every 2 years so that’s what I’d do before any long drives.

[@cipug1980]

@@ontheroadwithron2432 Thank you for your quick reply. If you don’t mind, should I replace the oil filter too, or just the oil? Just to be sure. Thank you again.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

@@cipug1980 if you only have a few thousand miles on it, I personally would not replace the filter. You just want to get the old oil out. Of course, the filter is much cheaper than the oil, but its life is more related to miles than time.

[@cipug1980]

@@ontheroadwithron2432 Thank you again! See you on the road!

[@paulchamberlin7578]

Unrelated to this video what cruising speed have you found works best for you?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

I like to drive the speed limit up to 60 mph. I usually max out at 65 when limits go to 70 or over. This gives me close to 15 mpg.

[@jeffreeves7012]

So where do you find maintenance schedule? I have winabago view 2021 and reading owner manuals they don't have a schedule I can find?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Should be a chart in the back of manual. Can also Google it.

[@terryhawk2238]

I will have to check my owners manual. I thought oil changes were recommended every 20000 miles or once a year. I guess changing every year can't hurt anything and will probably keep it up. My 2016 (2017) Prism is still under 20000 miles.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Yes does hurt except in the wallet.

[@christinebernhard9533]

We own a 2021 view. All was well then suddenly we lost power to the microwave outlets and electric cook top but refrigerator is working. Any ideas what could cause this. Was working when we brought it to have the oil changed

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

Those are all AC appliances so I’d check the circuit breaker first, then the inverter. Sometimes the gfci on the inverter outlet will pop and needs to be reset. If microwave works on generator, then problem is most likely with inverter.

[@christinebernhard9533]

@@ontheroadwithron2432 thank you for the info. We plugged into a campground overnight and the next day the inverter worked when we unplugged. Must have reset itself somehow.

[@christinebernhard9533]

Ron, we need your knowlege

[@timmorgan4551]

Which Fumoto valve did you use?

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

This one: Fumoto F-106N Engine Oil Drain Valve www.amazon.com/dp/B003T7XUE4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7JCRJ6FKZH10TV61ADYP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@timmorgan4551]

@@ontheroadwithron2432 Thanks , just ordered.

[@tomball6505]

So let me tell you what a real honest native German Mercedes and German auto Sprinter specialist told me where I live. He said that the long mileage spread between oil changes specified by the manufacturer in service manuals for Sprinters is something to be very wary of. Why? Nothing has been changed mechanically or technologically to justify super long mileage spreads between oil changes. This likely will not likely effect you during your original manufacture drivetrain warranty period but that unnecessary wear from dirty oil could effect you when you are out of your drivetrain warranty sooner than if you changed the oil at shorter intervals. That premature wear leads to parts and service that you have to pay for out of pocket that benefit who? You figure it out. Something to noodle.

[@ontheroadwithron2432]

OK, while I respect his opinion, my work as a mechanical design engineer also involved lubricant testing and evaluation for military motor and gear box assemblies. These were all lubricated for life products and not the same as an engine and that is why I always send out an oil sample to a test lab. Both times their analysis indicated that the oil was still good at 17-20k miles. Everybody has their own experience, but I trust the science. Cheers

[@lutomson3496]

You forgot to mention that the sprinter needs a special oil filter tool, no one carrys it, and you never published the whole blackstone report showing the aluminum and nickel still remaining high...I would suggest not using Mobil 1 and using Shell Platinum Ultra way better lubricity and performance, and my 09 View with 80k using the same oil has never come back with the results you have, your results are a bit worrying...engine wear is not good, ive posted my Blackstone results on several View forums also, the whole results not just the summary, hope you are well ive been retired for 5 years a bit before you happy trails Ron!