Oil change necessary after 1500 miles?

[08300C]

I got my 300C about a month ago with just over 12K miles on it - the sticker on the window mentions ~15k miles or 1/2/2010 for next oil change, so logically that would mean it was changed right at the 12K mark at the beginning of October. I'm at around 13.5K miles right now and the car tells me "oil change needed - contact dealer" every time it's started. That seems awfully early for it to be needing an oil change again? Any idea what, if anything, could be causing something like that?

[illini4]

Regardless, if you don't have the service records an oil change isn't a bad idea for a recently bought used car.

[TreyHun]

Originally Posted by 08300C

so logically that would mean it was changed right at the 12K mark at the beginning of October.

Logic is wonderful in a perfect world. Unfortunately, we live in world of imperfect humans so assume nothing.

An oil/filter change is cheap insurance for your peace of mind.

[S4-2-300C]

Here's could be your problem...

While the sticker gives you the mileage and date of the next oil change, many cars CALCULATE the oil life left based on hours, load, rpm, temperature, etc etc etc and when the car says the oil has hit the end of it's life it's more accurate. I'm not sure if this is true of the 300, but I know it to be true for some of our Vortex Max work trucks. Now, anytime you buy a used car it is safe to assume the car spent several several hours at idle. You have mechanics trying to inspect the vehicle, porters washing/vacuuming/detailing it regularly, and potential buyers all spending time with the car while it's sitting at idle. In addition you have all 3 of those category people driving it and you can bet they all worked the motor a bit harder than average. This being said, it is possible your oil broke down faster than usual and it needs a change.

Or..

I have a box of 1000 of those stickers at home. The dealership where my brother works changed names and they wanted to trash all the old stickers. I kept them that way if I change someones oil for them I can tell them when it's due for the next one. I don't, however, know how to reset the computer or even if each car has a computer that needs reset. The dealer or ANYONE could have changed the oil when the car came in as a trade or whatever and if the car wasn't giving the alarm to change it, they might not have thought that the car was calculating it or it might need reset.

Regardless, change the oil man. Get some fresh fluid in there. It deserves it.

Just my 2 cents.
Karl