what kinda of oil and how much oil does a 99 slk 230 take ?

[CellularRob]

i just got the car and it came with no books or info please help., what kinda of oil and how much oil does a 99 slk 230 take ?and if you have any other info for a new 99 slk230 driver. ps I LOVE THE CAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[Brian_R170]

You need 8 quarts of fully-synthetic oil.

Edit: 6 quarts for SLK230, 8 quarts for SLK320 and SLK32AMG.

Ideally, you should use Mobil 1 0W-40 which is what many M-B dealers in the USA use. It is approved for all climates and is the factory fill on all AMG cars. It's available at AutoZone for $4.99 per quart.

When I owned my '99 SLK230, Mercedes sent me a leaflet titled "Factory Approved Service Products" dated October 2000 that listed the following oils as being approved by Mercedes:

Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 15W-50
Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 0W-40
Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-50
Castrol Syntec 10W-40
Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40

I know the owner's manual of my SLK32 has an updated list with 3 or 4 more oils on it. I'll try to find them.

It also had a viscosity index chart that showed which oils viscosities are recommended for various climates. You go by the lowest temperature you will experience before your next oil change.

All temperature ranges: 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40, 5W-50.
-4 degrees F and higher: 10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 10W-60
+5 degrees F and higher: 15W-40, 15W-50
+23 degrees F and higher: 20W-40, 20W-50

[Brian_R170]

I found the newer list. It is in the "Service Booklet" that came with my '02 SLK32. Here is the newer list of oils (dated May 2001).

Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 15W-50
Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 0W-40
Valvoline SynPower Full Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-50
Castrol Syntec 10W-40
Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Pennzoil Synthetic European 5W-40
76 Pure Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40

I know that there is still a newer list which replaces the Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic with the new Mobil 1 SuperSyn, but I don't have the newer list.

[CellularRob]

Thank u i found 15w 50 at pep boys but my car only took 6 quarts?


Thank u For all ur help

[Brian_R170]

Originally posted by CellularRob
Thank u i found 15w 50 at pep boys but my car only took 6 quarts?


Thank u For all ur help

Doh! Sorry, I was thinking 320 for some reason. Yes, the 230 takes 6 quarts and the 320 and 32 take 8 quarts.

[Madd_Scientist]

Brian, do you think I could use AMSOIL 0W-30 with no problems? That's what I used in my Maxima, u can go up to 25,000 on a oil change (ought to considering it's like $8.50 a quart), but have to change the oil filter at 12,500..... which is kinda hard with a standard car (all the oil drains out if you're not fast enough). I had no problems using the 0W-30 during the summer, and actually helped fuel economy cuz the oil is thinner.

Thanks!

[Brian_R170]

I know that Amsoil is good oil as far as it's lubrication properties go, but I never would recommend it. Amsoil is not API certified because it contains higher-than-acceptable levels of a zinc-phosphorous compound that is known to damage catalytic converters. I will admit that if it causes a problem, it will probably happen over many years, not just one oil change. However, there's no way I'd use it while the vehicle was under warranty just because I wouldn't want to give the dealers an excuse...

Personally, I'd go with Mobil 1 5W-30 and feel good about it. It's not specifically on MBUSA's approved list, but the viscosity covers all temperature ranges, it's good oil, and it's available everywhere.

FYI, about 10 years ago, Mobil also talked about 25K oil changes with Mobil 1 (and Delvac 1). There's some speculation about why they don't talk about it anymore, but a Mobil rep at one of the MBCA tech events said that too much can go wrong in 25,000 miles if you're not doing oil analysis between oil changes. I haven't looked at Amsoil in awhile, but I'm pretty sure they recommend oil analysis if you do the 25K mile changes. Given the cost of oil analysis and the difficulty of obtaining a "clean" sample from your engine, it somewhat defeats the purpose of 25K oil changes.