It must be misinformation then, because he likes Vee Dubs.
JK
Back to serious discussion, I too cannot accept that used oil (at least around 3,000 miles) is better than fresh oil. It goes against everything I and everyone else have been lead to believe since we all started our love affair with the motor car.
Martin I would have agreed with you but member drivebywire puts up a very convincing argument in the following thread :- Oil Change by Siphoning on a W211
I think this may be the thread Derek was refering to earlier it does make interesting reading and will, if correct, change a lot of peoples views on oil changing.
Part of what drivebywire says is that when oil is heated and used for a long time in our blocks, there is a transfer of additives to the metal surfaces and in time these additives protect and reduce friction and wear.
Changing the oil stops the transfer process and you start from zero again. Why would changing the oil remove this additive coating on the metal?
If it's good science then there should be proof to back it up.
Quite a while back I asked for some document or proof to back up his statement when he responded in my sticky oil posting above. He never returned.
He feels that changing the oil often is the old American myth and is old school. I am definitely old school.
You'd think that documented proof would be breaking news everywhere.
Why do so many car makers still recommend frequent oil changes?
But it's great reading!
Derek
Last edited by Derek Lecours : 05-31-2008 at 09:05 AM.
incidentally, one common problem with the use of K&N air filters is over-oiling, which on a gasoline car can destroy the hot wire that senses air flow. I can't count the number of times I've read of K&N users having to change the hot wire in the throttle body at great cost. My 405 does not use hot wire technology so it was never a problem. Inhaling air filter oil is not good!
Drivebywire is probably referring to the Mobil 1 testing . I had read this article before and it probably is posted in several places on the web, not sure how accurate it is but scroll to the bottom to see. Long and probably biased. Mobil 1 Test Results
Like you I am still old school but the times are a changing, I used to change oil monthly in the winter and a max of 3000 miles in the summer. Cost to the environment and to the pocket book have caused me to increase intervals, usually twice a year regardless of mileage. Water from condensation still is a problem unless you always drive a long distance to heat the oil up to it's max temp.
Jiffy Lube and their counterparts still try to get you to do a complete engine flush every year and go a max of 3000 miles (5000 Km), even with synthetics. I am not sure but are they interested in your engine or their corporate profits?
Ahhh the old days when 30 weight oil and a can of STP kept the engine going. 2 cans of STP just before you sold the car, or in the car you just bought
Bill, The info he's using is a little deeper than the Mobil 1 tests.(I think)
The recommended Mobil 1 oil with ESP(emissions system protection) is a low ash oil(800 instead of 1000 ppm)(229.5-229.3) and is necessary in diesels.
Our factory fill oil has nothing to do with Mobil oil.
Our fill oil might be Fuchs Titan GT1 5w30 (MB 229.51/31) This oil is a Group IV PAO synthetic oil. Very top notch oil!!
They recommend 0w40 as a Canadian replacement so there's a interesting change.
Another poster here told us that on his talking to a MB tech in Germany, that the B's fill was semi-synthetic. So who do we believe?
Derek
Last edited by Derek Lecours : 05-31-2008 at 07:48 PM.
Bill, I'm happy with my oil changes too!! After 10,000 kms I feel it's time for a change.
I like the look of clear oil in the crankcase and not the black goop that I drained out. Derek
Linear Mode
