In preparing last weekend for our trip to the greater Phoenix area this week, I noticed that I last changed oil on our '95 E320 7500 miles and more than a year ago (a problem when you have extended oil changes and don't drive too much). With some help from a neighbor and his son, we used the Topsider and changed the oil (Mobil1 0W-40) and filter and rotated the tires LF -> LR, LR -> RF, RF -> RR, RR -> LF.
So, 1224 miles, two doctor's appointments, and a couple of MRIs later, we are back home. We left about 1030 on Monday morning, made it to Holbrook, AZ, after the snowstorm had blown through and the roads to that point were clear. We then abandoned I-40 and took side roads through Heber-Overgaard and Payson into Chandler, AZ, arriving at 2100. Some of the side roads, like 260, were snow-packed, but the Nokian WRG2s handled things just fine. On the way back yesterday, we took I-17 north out of Phoenix, had lunch in Flagstaff, and drove I-40 east to Albuquerque. North on I-25 to Santa Fe and 84/285 and NM 502 brought us back to Los Alamos last night shortly after 2100. The car performed just fine. 75 mph on the Interstates was enjoyable and, except for all of the semis on I-40, stressless. Despite this car's cruise control's setting idiosyncracies, having the cruise control was a big help. I noticed in Phoenix that the upshift delay started working, but didn't take time to try to clear the Check Engine Light. The neurosurgeon there said I have severe compression of my spinal cord and said he wanted me in a cervical collar immediately in case I fall or am in an automobile accident before the surgery. His staff is arranging the surgery, which will be in 3 - 6 weeks. Craig _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
