Woman finally takes her Mercedes for an oil change after 3 years, and what she admits to the mechanic is painfully relatable

We’ve all had that moment when you pull into the shop knowing you’ve ignored the warning signs for way too long, hoping the mechanic won’t scold you. That’s exactly why a recent TikTok video of a Mercedes-Benz owner admitting she skipped oil changes for three years is going viral.

According to Motor1, the owner, Marti, filmed herself driving to the oil change shop, clearly nervous about what she had to confess. When the technician walked up to her car, she came clean right away.

“I’m a little embarrassed to say I’ve never had an oil change in this car and I’ve had it for like three years,” she told him, as per her TikTok video. She tried to explain herself, saying, “But the light’s never turned on so I didn’t know, but I feel like I should probably get one.”

The mechanic’s response saved her from total embarrassment

Luckily for Marti, the technician was new on the job. “Yeah, I’ll have you talk to one of the guys up there, because I’m just a little bit newer,” he said. Marti’s reply was instantly relatable to anyone who’s ever faced a service advisor after ignoring their car. “That’s fine,” she said. “Just tell him not to yell at me.”

The internet loved it. One viewer commented, “‘Just tell him not to yell at me’ is the most real thing I have ever heard.” Marti responded, “I’m not gonna pay you to yell at me for it.” Another person joked that both Marti and the tech were perfect for each other since they were both new to the situation. Interestingly, someone claiming to be Marti’s mother jumped into the comments with a warning: “I’m going to have dad repo your car.”

Marti’s situation highlights a common confusion about car maintenance. Why didn’t her warning light turn on if she was three years overdue? This trips up many drivers, especially luxury car owners who struggle with maintenance costs.

The oil light only comes on when your engine is dangerously low on oil. It doesn’t tell you when the oil is old and dirty and needs changing. You need to follow a schedule based on mileage or time. Most experts recommend changing your oil every 3,000 to 10,000 miles, with 5,000 miles being common. 

Mercedes-Benz recommends an oil change every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Since the average American drives about 14,000 miles per year, waiting three years is seriously risking engine damage.

Oil keeps all the moving parts in your engine running smoothly. Over time, it collects dirt and debris, getting thicker and nastier until it becomes sludge. Sludge causes friction, blocks important pathways, and makes your engine overheat. This forces your engine to work harder, burning more gas. If you wait too long, the friction and heat will destroy your engine completely.

Engine failure costs thousands of dollars to fix, or you might need a whole new car. Even if your warning light isn’t on, you can’t skip yearly oil changes. Stories like this make some people reconsider their luxury car purchases altogether. Maybe Marti’s video will remind you to check your own maintenance schedule.