Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Oil Change in Riverside, CA
Changing your engine’s oil is not only the most frequent maintenance service you’re likely to need but also one of the most fundamental. The reason is that oil serves multiple critical functions within and for your vehicle’s engine. Lubricating moving parts, preventing buildup, and protecting against corrosion helps to ensure that your engine operates as it should, without undue friction, heat, and contaminants mucking it up.
Faithfully following your oil change schedule is an easy way to extend your Sprinter van’s life and improve its performance. So, if you need a Sprinter van oil change, let our service team at Mercedes-Benz Van Center of Riverside be the ones to do it.
Schedule Sprinter Van Oil Change Service
How Do You Know When To Get Your Oil Changed?
The easiest way to tell you need your oil changed is to consult your maintenance schedule for the recommended interval. For a Sprinter van, oil changes should take place every 20,000 miles for diesel engines and 15,000 for gasoline engines, which roughly equates to one service appointment per year. If you don’t remember the date or odometer reading at your last oil change, look to the upper left-hand corner of your windshield. The service team that did the work should have placed a sticker there specifying your next appointment.
There are some instances when you’ll want to drop into the shop outside of the schedule. Look out for these signs to tell whether you need to replace your van’s oil before you hit the next mileage milestone:
- Dashboard warning lights: An illuminated Check Engine or “Maint Reqd” light may indicate a problem with your engine oil.
- Unusual noises: If you hear knocking or grinding from the engine, the oil may be old, or you may have insufficient levels.
- Burning smell: Dirty oil and insufficient levels can lead to overheating, which is the likely cause of the burning smell.
- Thick and grainy oil: Check your oil with the dipstick. If it appears overly thick and grainy, as opposed to smooth and fluid, you may need an oil change.
- Low oil level: Again, check your oil. Toward the tip are two lines. If the oil level is at or below the lower line, you need new oil.
What Kind of Motor Oil Do You Need?
The kind of motor oil to use in your Sprinter depends on its engine. For diesel engines, Mercedes-Benz recommends full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil. For gasoline engines, use full synthetic 5W-40.
Synthetic oil is a lab-engineered substance with uniformly sized molecules, so it flows better through the engine system, lubricates more evenly, and retains its integrity longer than conventional oil. The designations “5W-30” and “5W-40” describe each oil’s viscosity — its thickness and ability to resist flow. The “5W” part refers to viscosity at low temperatures, whereas the subsequent numeral relates to normal temperatures.
Keep in mind that oil is more viscous when cool and less viscous when warm. Therefore, low-viscosity oil offers superior engine protection in cold temperatures, but higher-viscosity oil is a better safeguard against friction and wear in hotter conditions. Between a 5W-30 and a 5W-40, both flow well at vehicle startup, but the former has better flow than the latter once the engine has warmed up.
What Happens During an Oil Change?
When you bring your Sprinter to our service center for an oil change, the first thing we may do is check the levels. This tells us how much oil you currently have and its condition. We may find that you don’t need an oil change just yet, so you can reschedule your appointment should you wish. If we find that, yes, your oil needs replacing, we will go ahead and remove the oil pan underneath your van to drain all of the old oil.
Next, we will examine the oil filter, whose job is to remove contaminants and other impurities before oil can flow through the engine. If your filter is overly saturated and can’t effectively perform its job, we will remove it, replace it with a fresh one, and reposition the oil pan.
Then comes the actual replacement. Using the type and grade recommended for your particular Sprinter van, or else a variety that you prefer, we will refill the engine with the quantity of oil necessary to keep the vehicle running properly. With that done, we may start your Sprinter to ensure the engine is receiving oil. Afterward, we will check your levels once again just to be sure.
Without any other issues you’d like us to inspect, an oil change can take as little as 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish. However, we do offer a complimentary tire inspection, multi-point inspection, and car wash with every service, as well as a complimentary courtesy vehicle, so you’re always welcome to drop off your van and pick it up later at your convenience.
Schedule Your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Oil Change Near Riverside, CA
The Mercedes-Benz Van Center of Riverside service team makes it easy to schedule your oil change. All you have to do is visit our online scheduling portal and follow the on-screen instructions to request your appointment. Or, if you prefer to speak with an associate, call our service center directly at (951) 441-6284. We’ll set you up and await your visit. Before you arrive, we encourage you to check out our service offers and specials page, where you’ll find great deals for your Sprinter oil change and more.