In a hot southern climate. Vehicle doesn't see cranking below freezing (or even really very close to freezing except once or twice a year), but sees many majority of days with 90-100+ temps. I would prefer a 5W40 but the vast majority of the 221.52 oils are 5W30. And does anybody use/recommend any additives like Liquid Moly Ceratec or MoS2 or something else for the 4cyl Bluetec?
Looking at the list from MB for approved 221.52 oils that I know how to get - I see there's Liqui Moly 5W30 4600 or 5W40 4110, a few different Ravenol 5W30 available online (HLS, REP, and VMS whatever the differences are??), a Motul 5W40 and a 5W30, and the Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 or 0W40 which from my understanding the 5W30 is also the MB re-branded oil available from and used by the dealers.
Any reason that any one of these oils would perform any better than another for short trip driving in a mostly hot climate? I'm planning on changing the oil now myself every 6 months which is only about 3,000-4,000 miles due to the new situation of mostly short trips around town. Have been going to the dealer every 12 months (6,000-8,000 miles) since new but now with all this short tripping I wonder if that's too long to risk since we plan to keep this car "forever" despite what other repairs come along in the future.
Although if these 221.52 oils really can actually handle a full 12 months of short tripping without degradation then I'd consider sticking to the once a year change. It's not hard to change and the cost isn't really a factor here. I'm not familiar enough with Bluetec and this engine to know what will keep the engine in the best shape for the longest time.
Looking at the list from MB for approved 221.52 oils that I know how to get - I see there's Liqui Moly 5W30 4600 or 5W40 4110, a few different Ravenol 5W30 available online (HLS, REP, and VMS whatever the differences are??), a Motul 5W40 and a 5W30, and the Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 or 0W40 which from my understanding the 5W30 is also the MB re-branded oil available from and used by the dealers.
Any reason that any one of these oils would perform any better than another for short trip driving in a mostly hot climate? I'm planning on changing the oil now myself every 6 months which is only about 3,000-4,000 miles due to the new situation of mostly short trips around town. Have been going to the dealer every 12 months (6,000-8,000 miles) since new but now with all this short tripping I wonder if that's too long to risk since we plan to keep this car "forever" despite what other repairs come along in the future.
Although if these 221.52 oils really can actually handle a full 12 months of short tripping without degradation then I'd consider sticking to the once a year change. It's not hard to change and the cost isn't really a factor here. I'm not familiar enough with Bluetec and this engine to know what will keep the engine in the best shape for the longest time.
