[Illinibbfan]

Does anyone know what the correct MB oil spec is for the 2011 E350 BlueTec 642 engine now?
It used to be 229.51. But, I have seen some people posting that they "think" it has been retro-spec'd to 229.52 now.
Whenever I look up this vehicle at Oil manufacturer sites, I get varying recommendations:
Amsoil 229.51
LiquiMoly 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Mobil1 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Redline 229.31/229.51
Ravenol 229.31/229.51
Etc.

I don't think that 229.51 is NOT allowed now, I just think there was a mention of something to do with oil cooler problems and changing the formula of the oil used in the diesels.

Does anyone know if MB recommends 229.52 now?

 

[konigstiger]

See 228.51, 229.31, 229.51 and 229.52 here: https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/bevo-sheets-sort1.html

 

[Illinibbfan]

Thanks Konigstiger.

Interesting documents.
So, if I am interpreting it correctly, 229.31, 229.51, or 229.52 are all acceptable for the OM642 of my year.
From 2017MY on, 229.52 is required.
Is that your interpretation?

Last oil change, I ordered the MB 229.52 after finding it for a decent price. I let the dealer do every-other OC, so I am curious to see what P/N is on their receipt next time.

Thanks again.

 

[konigstiger]

So, if I am interpreting it correctly, 229.31, 229.51, or 229.52 are all acceptable for the OM642 of my year. From 2017MY on, 229.52 is required. Is that your interpretation?

That's the way I read it.

 

[Illinibbfan]

That's the way I read it.

Thank you.


Had a few extra minutes tonight to search the "interwebs" instead of just BenzWorld, and came up with this info on the differences between 229.51 and 229.52. Hope it helps anybody in the future doing a search.

From Mercedes Oil Specifications - oilspecifications.org :

MB 229.51
Low SAPS Long Life engine oil for diesel engines with particle filter meeting emission EU-4 -> standards.
MB 229.52
Oils meeting this specification must have lower ash content, at least 1% better fuel economy compared to the requirements of MB 229.31 and MB 229.51 and better oxidation stability for biofuel compatibility. Can also be used where an MB 229.31 or an MB 229.51 oil is required. Just like MB 229.5 and MB 229.51 this spec requires a long life oil.


The Lubrizol chart comparing the three also indicates that 229.52 does everything 229.51 does, PLUS is better at fuel economy and oxidative thickening.

 

[Illinibbfan]

So, the dealer ended up using part # 001-989-37-01-USA8

The Mercedes 229.52 that I have found online are 001-989-37-01-USA6.

So, I wonder what the difference is between "USA6" and the apparently newer "USA8" version.

 

[prrs]

So, the dealer ended up using part # 001-989-37-01-USA8

The Mercedes 229.52 that I have found online are 001-989-37-01-USA6.

So, I wonder what the difference is between "USA6" and the apparently newer "USA8" version.

Not sure of the difference... if I had to guess, it would have been 229.51 vs 229.52 but I would have thought USA6 is the Mercedes 229.51 oil. Not the 229.52 oil.

 

[prrs]

So, the dealer ended up using part # 001-989-37-01-USA8

The Mercedes 229.52 that I have found online are 001-989-37-01-USA6.

So, I wonder what the difference is between "USA6" and the apparently newer "USA8" version.

Not sure of the difference... if I had to guess, it would have been 229.51 vs 229.52 but I would have thought USA6 is the Mercedes 229.51 oil. Not the 229.52 oil.

Not sure if this helps but Mobil 1 provides numbers which may or may not help.

https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/synthetic

Mobil 1 ESP is what you want to look at for 229.51 and 229.52 compatible oils. I just ordered 2 cases of 0w30 for my “Texas winter” oil changes. During the summer I was using the regular Mobil 1 at 15w50 and changing the oil at 5000 to 6000 mile intervals with an engine flush to loosen any possible build up. I plan on changing the oil at 3000 to 4000 mile intervals with the 0w30.

 

[Illinibbfan]

Mobil 1 ESP is what you want to look at for 229.51 and 229.52 compatible oils. I just ordered 2 cases of 0w30 for my “Texas winter” oil changes. During the summer I was using the regular Mobil 1 at 15w50 and changing the oil at 5000 to 6000 mile intervals with an engine flush to loosen any possible build up. I plan on changing the oil at 3000 to 4000 mile intervals with the 0w30.

So, you need 0W for the brutal Texas winters? :smile
I use 5W-30 year round now, and I am in Illinois. But the ESP 0W-30 is an approved oil.

But 15W-50? Are you comfy with that, since it is not an approved oil?
I used 5W-40 once, but then someone posted a MB document that warned against thicker viscosity due to some problem with flow through the oil cooler, if I remember correctly. Since then, I have stuck to 5W-30.
Might be why the new 229.52 spec only has 0W-30 and 5W-30 approved oils.
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.52_en.html

I have been doing an oil change at 5k miles, and letting the dealer do the 10k change so that they can do the inspections, tire rotation, etc. Just not comfy with going 10k on an turbocharged vehicle. :eek


Enjoy your BlueTec. I love ours. It is a great machine. Just wish I lived where there were no speed limits because that thing loves to go 85+ :smile

 

[Kajtek1]

Recommended oil viscosity is whole can of worms.
When synthetics, providing better stability can do the job at lower viscosity, manufacturers tend to recommend low viscosity to easier deal with EPA and flash with better mpg on the cars.
Obviously they don't worry about engine lasting past 200,000 miles.
So if you plan to keep the car to high mileage, go to higher viscosity whenever you can.
I am not big fan of Mobil1 and tend to use Castroll.
Valvoline brand is having high remarks, but they did not bother with getting MB approval, but worth keeping in mind in case they would.

 

[Harbro]

Citgo has put out an oil under the "SUPERGARD" line in which they claim the 5W-40 meets the 229.51 and the 5W-30 meets 229.52
Here's a link for the MSDS: https://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/C10223.pdf

This is being private label marketed (in Canada by Canadian Tire as Motomaser Formula 1 European formula 5W-30) - and they parrot these Citgo specs. Problem is, on the C Tire label as well as on the Citgo on the "SUPERGARD" site they clearly state "for gasoline engines" link: https://www.citgomarketnet.com/Mark...Information/PocketGuides/CITGOPocketGuide.pdf

WTF? According to my info, 229.51 and 229.52 are diesel oil specifications? "SUPERGARD" oils are for GAS motors only - how can a 229.51 approval be "pending"?

The bottom of page 2 shows the only the "CITGARD" is recommended for diesels, and an MSDS check on their best CITGARD 700 synthetic shows it only meets the 228.31 spec. https://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/C10166.pdf

Am I missing something here? Something's seems pretty stinky and it ain't gear oil!

Personally, I wouldn't risk cooked lower ends and/or a clogged DPF until there's some clarification on this Supergard gasoline oil...

 

[Stefan driver]

Does anyone know what the correct MB oil spec is for the 2011 E350 BlueTec 642 engine now?
It used to be 229.51. But, I have seen some people posting that they "think" it has been retro-spec'd to 229.52 now.
Whenever I look up this vehicle at Oil manufacturer sites, I get varying recommendations:
Amsoil 229.51
LiquiMoly 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Mobil1 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Redline 229.31/229.51
Ravenol 229.31/229.51
Etc.

I don't think that 229.51 is NOT allowed now, I just think there was a mention of something to do with oil cooler problems and changing the formula of the oil used in the diesels.

Does anyone know if MB recommends 229.52 now?

Use 229.52. It is backwards compatible. 5-30 is recommended but 5-40 give better hot weather protection.

 

[Stefan driver]

So, you need 0W for the brutal Texas winters? :smile
I use 5W-30 year round now, and I am in Illinois. But the ESP 0W-30 is an approved oil.

But 15W-50? Are you comfy with that, since it is not an approved oil?
I used 5W-40 once, but then someone posted a MB document that warned against thicker viscosity due to some problem with flow through the oil cooler, if I remember correctly. Since then, I have stuck to 5W-30.
Might be why the new 229.52 spec only has 0W-30 and 5W-30 approved oils.
MB 229.52 - Low SPAsh multigrade service engine oils - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids

I have been doing an oil change at 5k miles, and letting the dealer do the 10k change so that they can do the inspections, tire rotation, etc. Just not comfy with going 10k on an turbocharged vehicle. :eek


Enjoy your BlueTec. I love ours. It is a great machine. Just wish I lived where there were no speed limits because that thing loves to go 85+ :smile

Only use 239.52 specific mb approved oil. 5-30 or 0-40. Mercedes has learned much over last few years since sca and dpf technology has been required. Do not wait in their ridiculously long oil service of 10-20 k miles. The issue with new engines is that the required epa systems play havoc on oil degradation. Especially short drives. Try to find out if your van is one if the later models that has a dpf indicator. It’s a light on panel that has zero explanation. If it is near the end of light and it’s getting close to the emission burn off cycle. Whatever you do don’t turn off and but drive til it resets itself. My dealer had no idea what it was and it’s not in manual. Only after much research did I find out.

 

[Gazwould]

229.51 , 229.52....

Neither , use VW 507.00 for a superior oil performance profile !

 

[eightenshad]

Citgo has put out an oil under the "SUPERGARD" line in which they claim the 5W-40 meets the 229.51 and the 5W-30 meets 229.52
Here's a link for the MSDS: https://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/C10223.pdf

This is being private label marketed (in Canada by Canadian Tire as Motomaser Formula 1 European formula 5W-30) - and they parrot these Citgo specs. Problem is, on the C Tire label as well as on the Citgo on the "SUPERGARD" site they clearly state "for gasoline engines" link: https://www.citgomarketnet.com/Mark...Information/PocketGuides/CITGOPocketGuide.pdf

WTF? According to my info, 229.51 and 229.52 are diesel oil specifications? "SUPERGARD" oils are for GAS motors only - how can a 229.51 approval be "pending"?

The bottom of page 2 shows the only the "CITGARD" is recommended for diesels, and an MSDS check on their best CITGARD 700 synthetic shows it only meets the 228.31 spec. https://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/C10166.pdf

Am I missing something here? Something's seems pretty stinky and it ain't gear oil!

Personally, I wouldn't risk cooked lower ends and/or a clogged DPF until there's some clarification on this Supergard gasoline oil...

Do not trust Super hard in your BlueTEC. Most of CT oils are repurposed to begin with. where are you located

 

[StellarUnicorn]

So... for someone who is a total newbie to MB and knows not much more about modern motorized vehicles..... what engine oil should I order for my 2013 E350 Bluetech (3.0 liter turbo diesel)?

 

[prrs]

So... for someone who is a total newbie to MB and knows not much more about modern motorized vehicles..... what engine oil should I order for my 2013 E350 Bluetech (3.0 liter turbo diesel)?

I would stick with any of the MB compliant 229.51 or 229.52 motor oils. I experimented with other oils that were cheaper in order to save money, considering how much I was driving, but quickly noticed that there was a thin layer of oil that would not go away very easily. If you do a search on eBay you’ll find it as well as kits that come with what you need. You can also check FCPEuro. They have kits too.

 

[Stefan driver]

Does anyone know what the correct MB oil spec is for the 2011 E350 BlueTec 642 engine now?
It used to be 229.51. But, I have seen some people posting that they "think" it has been retro-spec'd to 229.52 now.
Whenever I look up this vehicle at Oil manufacturer sites, I get varying recommendations:
Amsoil 229.51
LiquiMoly 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Mobil1 229.31/229.51 and 229.52
Redline 229.31/229.51
Ravenol 229.31/229.51
Etc.

I don't think that 229.51 is NOT allowed now, I just think there was a mention of something to do with oil cooler problems and changing the formula of the oil used in the diesels.

Does anyone know if MB recommends 229.52 now?

Short answer yes. They changed to later formula.