did an oil change on my '04 xf at 32,442 and now its 34,194 and the oil looks really dark. Thats only 1,752miles.
Is something wrong with my car?
I used mobil1 0w-40 and Fram Oil Filter: Extra Guard CH8481

 

the first oil change should be done after initial break in... no later than 1000 miles...

I change my oil ever 3-4k miles

 

Perhaps I misspoke. I was under the impression that the lifetime drive train thing was retroactive to us all. I've also got the 7/70 so worst case this won't become an issue for another 33K

 

Let's face it, we all bought our cars for our own personal reasons. I waited longer than most, but I didn't go looking for one, It found me. Love at first drive. What must be accepted, if you want to be still driving it a couple of years down the road, is the cost of servicing a MERCEDES! Sooooooooo, rather than mess around with the local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GMC dealership, I stopped at a Mercedes Dealership on the way home from San Antonio today just to check it and their prices out (service). First, it was clean, well staffed, professional and very willing to answer all my questions. Second, although the price of an oil/filter change was a tad high, $115.00, they will inspect my tires, brake pucks (dating myself), all the rest of the fluids and mechanicals. Third, with the price of Mobil 1 between $6.50-$7.50 a quart, @ 8.5 quarts and the filter, and their Mercedes recommended oil change interval at 10,000 miles, I find the price more acceptable than getting 2 $75.00 changes at Wally-World or Jiffy-Lube (if they even have the oil and filter) and stripping the threads on my drain plug.
Fourth, I do think 10,000 miles may be a stretch, but I will change the filter myself at 5,000. Dirty oil is the biggest culprit of wear so a 5,000 mile filter change should tell you how the galleries will look, and what's passing through your baby's life support system.
I purchased an 8 year (from date of purchase) 100,000 mile warranty (expires in 2016 or miles) for $1420.00. Expensive you say? Think of the alternatives.
FTroopChief (John P)

 

Valkryderguy has the right idea changing the oil at 5,000 miles. I will probably change my oil myself somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 miles unless my fss tells me different. Years ago before detergent oils came on the market you had to change oil more often because the oil didn't have the ability to trap and suspend the contaminents. Also, those older engines had more "blow by" past the piston rings and into the oil. Oil change intervals were only 1,000 miles. With todays oils and especially the synthetics like we should be using in our Crossfires and the fact that we have 8.5 quarts in our engines instead of the 5 quarts for conventional cars you can go much, much, longer between changes.

If you like to change the oil more often it certainly won't hurt anything. The real life article you can click below is one that I refer to often. It takes a look at additives also.

http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.htm

 

Now this is amusing ...
This came in the mail yesterday for a spectacular spring event.$24.95*
Special price on a oil & filter change,tire rotation and 23 point checkup.
The card has my name and even a picture of a Crossfire on it.
Only one problem here. It's the " * "

* Excludes cars using synthetic oil and special only includes up to 5 quarts of Mopar brand oil.

What the hell good is this for me? And why does the card show a Crossfire ??
By the way I ALWAYS change my own oil.

 

I get them also. It kind of sums up my experience with their service. It's not that they have forgotten us. They really want to help but unfortunately they are unable to.

If you have one of those Batman fogger/oil slick makers installed, the oil would be good for that.