[Newused in Texas]

My son, 16, bought his first car last week and it is a 1988 Mercedes 300 se. The people (who answer the emails) at the Classic Center in California suggested that we only use premium gasoline, but could not make a suggestion for what oil to use. We are on the Texas Coast about a hour South of Houston. I contacted a local MB Dealer and their shop foreman suggested using 15w40. All the 15w40 oils I find say it is for diesel and this is a gas engine. So what kind of oil is best? Also can anyone explain the air conditioning buttons??? We do not have an owners manual and I have been unable to locate one and we have no clue what the difference in them are.

Thanks!

Newused in Texas

 

[elduderino]

20W-50, non synth if you can find it. Don't sweat it too much. Engine degradation due to improper type of oil is pretty much a non-issue with the M103 engine, and most pre-2006 MBZ engines. However, dozens of other things can creep up on the M103, which have nothing to do with engine oil. Head gasket is the biggest headache, and fine tuning the fuel delivery/distribution system is tricky.

So in short, use a quality oil, and change it religiously, every 3,000 miles.

 

[elduderino]

Also, i've got the factory blue pamphlet thing that explains the AC buttons (in english). Will post it tomorrow AM.

 

[Bill A]

This engine was not designed with synthetic in mind so I wouldn't do that. I would use something like Castrol 15/40 or even 20/50. I know it's available here in Ca as I use it in my truck. Oils like Rotela have different additives as they were designed for diesel trucks. Your car has catalytic converters that could suffer from oils designed for diesel powered trucks.

 

[agillot]

any top brand of oil is fine valvoline , quaker shell penzoil castrol ............ .10 / 40 , 15 /40 ,20/50 . 5000 miles is fine or once a year . wall mart has any lube , fluids you may need .

 

[elduderino]

here is a chart explaining the AC switches.

 

[agillot]

been using also rotella t in older gas car with cats , with zero problems with cats becoming contaminated with the zing . by thye way , if you have a high mileage car with a tired car that fail a emission test , try CATACLEAN , this work !!!! .

 

[Michael Pillay]

You should check out the w126 forum. It is the forum specific for your chassis. There is a ton of information there including DIY's. My first mercedes was a 1990 300SEL. They are great cars. Your son will enjoy it.

 

[rumb]

Rotella and Mid grade gasoline.

I have used mid grade gas for years and works fine on this engine.