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Hey guys i was wondering can i use 10W-30 in my 97 S320 instead of the 10 -40 its getting harder to find around my area thanks Erik
Can i use 10w-30 in my S320
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like deanyel said you can use any weight/brand you want in that engine according to your climate. if you live in a cold winter area 5w30 would be a good choice. you need good flow in those cold mornings, since most of the engine wear occurs at start up. i just changed the oil in both my cars, mobil1 HM 5w30 in the s320, and shell rotella 10w30 (dino oil since i have small leak from timing cover) in the e320. mobil1 is staying in the s320 for 10k miles/1year, and rotella is staying in the e320 for 6k miles/6 months.
I say absolutely not. Unlike the brand, the viscosity of the oil is extremely important.
From my reading, there are two oils to use:
The manual says 15w40, or even 20w50 for most climates that don't see freezing temps. Alldata says that MB now specs 0w40 synthetic.
I am currently running Mobil 1 15w40 in my S320. My recommendation is that you stop by your local Mercedes dealer, and ask a service tech what oil they recommend. Using too thin an oil can cause problems in engines that are designed for thicker oil.
If you have trouble finding it, most parts houses (Napa, O'Reilly, even Autozone) will order in the viscosity you ask for by the case (6 quarts, so 1.5 cases for an oil change) from their warehouse.
-Jason
From my reading, there are two oils to use:
The manual says 15w40, or even 20w50 for most climates that don't see freezing temps. Alldata says that MB now specs 0w40 synthetic.
I am currently running Mobil 1 15w40 in my S320. My recommendation is that you stop by your local Mercedes dealer, and ask a service tech what oil they recommend. Using too thin an oil can cause problems in engines that are designed for thicker oil.
If you have trouble finding it, most parts houses (Napa, O'Reilly, even Autozone) will order in the viscosity you ask for by the case (6 quarts, so 1.5 cases for an oil change) from their warehouse.
-Jason
Huh, can't recall where I found the 0W-40 comment, so probably disregard.
Here is the latest info I could find (slightly repaginated for forum readability), from Alldata:
Vehicle: Fluid Type Specifications
Engine Oil
FLUID SPECIFICATION . SF/CC, SF/CD (Motor Oil, API Service SF, CC, CD)
All temperatures............................................................ 5W-50
Above 32°F(0°C),............................................ 20W-40, 20W-50
Above 5°F(-15°C)............................................ 15W-40, 15W-50
Above-4°F(-20°C)........................................................ 10W-40
-4° to 50°F(-20° to 10°C)............................................. 10W-30
Below 14°F(-10°C)......................................................... 5W-30
Based on this chart, 10w30 I'd only recommend to you if you lived in Alaska
-J
Here is the latest info I could find (slightly repaginated for forum readability), from Alldata:
Vehicle: Fluid Type Specifications
Engine Oil
FLUID SPECIFICATION . SF/CC, SF/CD (Motor Oil, API Service SF, CC, CD)
All temperatures............................................................ 5W-50
Above 32°F(0°C),............................................ 20W-40, 20W-50
Above 5°F(-15°C)............................................ 15W-40, 15W-50
Above-4°F(-20°C)........................................................ 10W-40
-4° to 50°F(-20° to 10°C)............................................. 10W-30
Below 14°F(-10°C)......................................................... 5W-30
Based on this chart, 10w30 I'd only recommend to you if you lived in Alaska
-J
You are correct, most older american cars use 10w30 engine oil. Every Mercedes I've worked on (in any generation), and for that matter most every german vehicle in general has called out different, thicker viscosity then that.
For another reference, depending on temperature my Mazda Miata calls out either 5w20 or 5w30.
That chart matches up exactly with what is printed in my owners manual for my 1998 S320, and having no degree in any sort of lubrication I'm inclined to trust the engineers that designed it in the first place and not just put in what I used in my old Chryslers.
:surrender:
-Jason
For another reference, depending on temperature my Mazda Miata calls out either 5w20 or 5w30.
That chart matches up exactly with what is printed in my owners manual for my 1998 S320, and having no degree in any sort of lubrication I'm inclined to trust the engineers that designed it in the first place and not just put in what I used in my old Chryslers.
:surrender:
-Jason
jason, the manual is a fossil. oils have advanced, there are synthetic 30 or even 20 weight oils that will outperform the 40 and 50 weight oils of the time the w140 was produced and meet SM/SL/SJ/SH/SG/CF. i'm not saying you should use a 30 weight oil, if you have had great results with 40 weight oil than stick with it, but don't come to conclusions that 30 weight will cause engine damage. thinner oil will flow better at cold mornings, and most of engine wear comes from cold starts. anyways the engines are the last thing to fall apart in these cars, so oil grade/brand won't make that big of a difference since most of w140 don't take their cars to the track
.here is a oil analysis of a v12 biturbo mb engine with 0w20 oil 0W-20 RLI, 2,500mi. Maybach 57s AMG - Bob Is The Oil Guy
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