takaseem

Hello folks,

I bought my 1rst MB (2001 E320) in Jan 07. It has done about 5K miles since last oil change. I would like to continue to change at 5K intervals. I have searched these and other forums and most everyone says to use Mobil1 0W-40. Mobile website suggests the same for this car. Only few here and there on the forums recommend 5W-40. One person stated that his dealer used 5W-40 and told him they used to use 0W-40 but changed to 5W-40 due to a new bulletin they received from MB.

I just called a dealer near me and they said the same thing. They now use 5W-40 for this car. They said if I want 0W-40 they can put it, but they recommend 5W-40.

Has anyone heard of this new bulletin change from MB? What is the difference between the 2 grades of oil? What grade should I use?

I appreciate your input.

takaseem

I just got call back from Service Advisor at the dealership. He checked with others, they don't know why MB changed their recommendation of oil from Mobile1 0W40 to 5W-40, but he read me the e-mail they received which was dated Jul 20, 2006. Since that date they have switched to 5W-40 on all cars with model year 1998 or newer.

I also called another dealer, and he confirmed. He said they used 0W-40 on AMG only, and the rest they use 5W-40 for 1998 or later models.

Is there much difference between them? Would there be much differece in the gas mileage? I currently do about 20-21, but most of my driving is in city.

zx11blade

The Mobil website lists MOBIL 1 OW-40 Unsurpassed performance synthetic motor oil particularly recommended for high performance engines. And the MOBIL SYNT S 5W-40 Synthetic extra high performance engine oil suited to petrol and diesel cars. Well suited to multi-valved, turbo-charged engines and direct injection systems.

uberwgn

The new oil addressed by the service bulletin is dealer-only. It's the low-SAPS oil mandatory for the new diesels...it's not Delvac 1 or equivalent. This is a brand-new product prepared for MBz. i don't think it is certified against any other OE specs. Again, dealer-only.

takaseem

Are you saying this is a different oil than the 5w-40 available at most stores (wal-mart, autozone ...etc, which is set for turbo diesel engines), and is only available at dealer shops?

If so, I am not sure what marketing strategy Mobile1 has, but losing the market with other oil change shops makes it hard to understand why "dealer only"?

takaseem

Thanks uberwgn!

I think I found the answer; those are 2 different oils and are described here:

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 is here http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...ruck_5W-40.asp

Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 is here http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...la_M_5W-40.asp

I just hope the new one will be available at stores, and won't be limited to dealerships.

Thanks again.

uberwgn

Again, they are not the same oil. And, again, it's dealer-only for the Formula M product.

The API oils have a high level of additization and that ultimately would poison the exhaust after-treatment devices of the newest cars. That's why the new product is labeled low-SAPS indicating it will work with the BLUETEC vehicles.

In general, the API specs and the Euro oil specs are mutually exclusive. Proper MBz oils carry a 229.xx designation.

MBz seeks to have only one bulk oil and this is the direction they've taken. This newest oil is NOT required in earlier cars whether gas or diesel.

uberwgn

MBz Oil TSB sez:

uberwgn

Mobil sez:

uberwgn

Viscosity @ 100C:

• Mobil Formula M 5W40 13.35cSt
• Mobil Delvac 1 5W40 (and equivs) 14.8cSt
• M1 0W40 14.3cSt
• Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 (Europe only) 12.1cSt

This new oil is a "thin" 5W40. The equivalent product in Europe is sold as a 5W30. The Euro 5W30 oils meets 229.51, VAG's 507.00 and the other basic ACEA ratings.

Aqib

Hi
Can any one tell me the recommended oil to be used for 1996 E320 with 130,000 Km on it? I live in Montreal, Canada where the general concept is to use different kind of oils in winter and summer. I am more interested to use some synthetic oil but I read a lot of problems occuring while switiching from conventional to synthetic oil. Can any one help me figure out this problem. Thanks

uberwgn

Modern cars utilize modern all season/all climate oils. MBz would suggest 0W40 year round. We can purchase this oil quite easily in the USA, don't know about Ca. You'd also have access to Elf or Motul, both of which will address the MBz quality standards.

Nobody here will know if you are going to suffer leaks when making the change from petro-based oil to syn oils.

4XFORE

I buy my oil from wallmart. 0w-40

JeffreyP

That's a little confusing as I thought the 229.51 (the 1 at the end) is an indicator of diesel engine.
My thought is that it shouldn't make that much difference as 0w40 has been proven over the years.

Musikmann

I am not sure when the dealers here started recommending the Mobil 5W40 oil but I was told about 1 year ago. Like the one post said, their storage tanks had to get down to a 20% level before they were allowed to switch. I was told by my primary dealer that although the TSB was dated April 2006, they did not change until after June (when I bought my car). I had asked to make sure I was adding the correct viscosity, and they confirmed that mine had 0W40 in it when I bought it.

uberwgn

That's incorrect, Jeff. 299.51 is both a diesel auto and gas auto standard.


229.51 indicates low-SAPS suitable for use in diesels with specialized exhaust after-treatment. It will also be applied to the gas engines.

I don't know what kind of car you have and won't comment on its oil requirement.


There's no reason folks can't continue using M1 0W40 (unless you're operating an '07 diesel auto) since it's widely available and meets the required spec(s).

JeffreyP

Hi uberwgn

Here's the direct quote from
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

" MB sheet 229.51 approved oils; low ash long life
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 or Bluetec exhaust particle filters and longer service life than the 229.31 oils. The spec was introduced in 2005. Change intervals increased to 20,000 kilometers. Based on ACEA A3 B4 and C3"

However, I believe you as the earlier quote say it works for both diesel and gasoline engine. By the way, I have the 98 E-320 and has been using Mobil1 0w40. As I said earlier, It shouldn't make that much of a difference as 0w40 is still an approved 229.5.

What's strange is that 229.5 (0w40) can go up to 30000km while 229.51 (5w40) goes to 20000km so is 229.51 (5w40) really a better oil?

Regards,
JeffreyP

uberwgn

Again, 229.XX is the standard for both gas and diesel autos.



Using any of the 229.xx oils in your 1998 gas car is fine and "approved". M1 0W40 certainly is a well-suited choice.


The 229.51 spec represents the latest in engine lube oil technology. Is it "better"? Dunno. The jury is still out and we'll have to wait and see what wear levels look like.

Y2KE320

Yes, this is true for MB and for Porsche. 0w40 to 5w40. You should use synthetic such as MOBIL 1

takaseem

Y2KE320,

See uberwgn's replies above, 5w-40 is an formula M type (not the same as teh 5w-40 for diesel available at stores) and is dealer only. This is not available in stores for those who want to change their own oil (unless you buy from dealer, in which case probably it is not worth changing it yourself).

I think this only leaves the 0w-40 for those who want to use Mobil 1.

fdte320

So, for my 2000 E320, Mobil 1 0W-40 or 5W-40????

uberwgn

M1 0W40 or the dealer-only Formula M 5W40

wilmac49

If you are so inclined Amsoil has European car formula in 5W-40 that is marked 229.31, 229.51 Mercades Benz which is what I indend to use in my 07 SLK 350 as Amsoil is all I have used for years. Just FYI not bad mouthing Mobil 1 as that is what I used before Amsoil.

mbnj

On my '01 320 wagon (dealer services), do I have to find out whether the dealership used 0 or 5 W40 in their last oil change before I know whether I can add (not even change, just add when low) a quart? This seems crazy that a dealer would start putting an oil type in your car that that the customer can't purchase to rectify a simple "low oil" condition?

uberwgn

I'd go ahead and add a little M1 0W40 which you'll find at Wally's or Autozone. That will be the most similar assuming the dealer is using the oil they're supposed to.