[tjts1]

Long story short, you can use whatever oil you find in any store in the US as long as the viscosity appears in your owner's manual.

 

[Clarkz71]

Another favorite of mine, Mobil 1 0W40 has good API specs, and 229.5



Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic motor oil meets or exceeds the requirements of:
API SN/SM/SL/SJ
ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
Nissan GT-R

Mobil 1 0W-40 motor oil has the following builders approval:
MB-Approval 229.3
MB-Approval 229.5
BMW LONGLIFE OIL 01
VW 502 00
VW 505 00
PORSCHE A40

 

[Clarkz71]

Long story short, you can use whatever oil you find in any store in the US as long as the viscosity appears in your owner's manual.

Not really, there are grades of oil available now that weren't around
back in the 90's. So you have more choices now depending on your climate.

Mercedes uses 0W40 or 5W40 Mobil 1 at the dealer depending on gas or diesel.

If you go on Mobil's website and use their "help me pick my oil"
feature, when I put in my 1993 400E it recommends 0W40 Mobil 1
which was not around in 1993 or in my manual.

Like you say though, just use a good oil, Rotella is a good oil.

 

[dtsdig]

Another favorite of mine, Mobil 1 0W40 has good API specs, and 229.5



Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic motor oil meets or exceeds the requirements of:
API SN/SM/SL/SJ
ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4
Nissan GT-R

Mobil 1 0W-40 motor oil has the following builders approval:
MB-Approval 229.3
MB-Approval 229.5
BMW LONGLIFE OIL 01
VW 502 00
VW 505 00
PORSCHE A40

Thanks for posting the specs, Clarkz71! I'm happy to see a long time MB Tech back up what I was told about the Mobil.
:thumbsup:

 

[Clarkz71]

Thanks for posting the specs, Clarkz71! I'm happy to see a long time MB Tech back up what I was told about the Mobil.
:thumbsup:

No problem, many don't understand modern oil. They think 0W is like water.
It's not of course, it just flows 0W at 32 deg f in a viscometer.

On a really cold engine 0W oil circulates quicker and build that film that the bearings
ride on faster. And of course it's a 40W at operating temp.

Even the Dodge Viper specs 0W40 Mobil 1

 

[nathanD.rector]

i'll stick with the new Royal Purple15w40 syntheic thats now out.it does not get minus 4 degrees here or colder.what ever you do don't use Super Tech 15w40 my engines both cars burned the oil.

 

[Honolulu]

Interesting. My wife put 80,000 miles on a '98 C280 that had over 70k when we got it. She was told, and we used, Mobil 0-20 all the way. I thought it was pretty thin, particularly since we live in Honolulu, Hawaii where temps range from 70 - 90 year round. Can't argue with the results, though.

Think I will move to 0-40 next time.

 

[4BENZ]

When we purchased our 95 E320 wagon over two years ago, I called our local Benz dealer for a recommendation on oil since this was our first Mercedes. The dealer, Mercedes-Benz of Rochester, only carries Mobil 1 0W40 full synthetic and that is what goes in every gasoline car that passes through their service center. Along with the Jetta we own, which I've run synthetic in for 5 years since I bought it, I'll continue to run the Mobil in all 3, including my new to me 94 E320.

Your dealer is doing a disservice to you and other owners of MBs with older cars.

yMobil 1 0W40 or 5W40 is used in the newer cars. I don't think You should not be putting it in your car.

Here in Vancouver the dealer still carries and uses 15W40 for our older engines (103 and 104 and maybe others). In hotter climates, or in summers, they sometimes put in 20W50. For very cold climates you can use a lighter oil for the winter though.

 

[mxfrank]

Synthetic is required for newer cars because the FSS monitors service interval for the oil...the oil change interval is typically 10K miles or more. They stir up a lot of sludge in older cars, and may find ways to leak that conventional oils wouldn't.

 

[mxfrank]

Long story short, you can use whatever oil you find in any store in the US as long as the viscosity appears in your owner's manual.

Actually, not true. Gasoline and diesel rated oils have different characteristics appropriate to their applications, you need to respect the api seal. Also, I would agree that the difference between name brand oils is inconsequential. Off brand or store-branded oils should be treated with suspicion.

 

[Clarkz71]

Your dealer is doing a disservice to you and other owners of MBs with older cars.

yMobil 1 0W40 or 5W40 is used in the newer cars. I don't think You should not be putting it in your car.

Here in Vancouver the dealer still carries and uses 15W40 for our older engines (103 and 104 and maybe others). In hotter climates, or in summers, they sometimes put in 20W50. For very cold climates you can use a lighter oil for the winter though.

You must not have read my post where I said, "the Mobil 1 pick my oil for me"
tool recommended 0W40 for my 1993 400E. They do sell other grades of oil
but that's what they recommended based on my year, make and model of vehicle.

 

[ps2cho]

Clark, what is your opinion on oil choice for those of us who have the pre-chilled cams + rocker arms which are notorious for going flat? My understanding is the use of oil with a heavy zinc package will help slow the wear...Hence why I am weary of anything other than 15-40 diesel. (Obviously only affects those of us 86-EARLYYYYY 89 model years who did not have the warranty done on it).

 

[Clarkz71]

ps2cho, you want to check the spec's of the oil
for phosphorus and zinc levels which is the wear additives.

For example Mobil 1 15W50 its 1200/1300 ppm

Mobil 1 0W40 is 1000/1100 ppm

On the other hand, their base Mobil 1 10W30 is only 800/900 ppm

To show you how good diesel oil is, Mobil 1 5W40 turbo diesel is 1130/1250 ppm

I would guess most 5W40 diesel oils follow suit.

Just check your brand for the phosphorus & zinc levels to be sure.

 

[dtsdig]

Your dealer is doing a disservice to you and other owners of MBs with older cars.

yMobil 1 0W40 or 5W40 is used in the newer cars. I don't think You should not be putting it in your car.

This appears to be that moment when the oil discussion turns into an oil debate.
In almost 3 years, the wagon has continued to start and run great using 0W40. Aside from the few summer months, Western New York is a colder climate. The old oil still looks, feels and smells normal during oil changes and I have nothing new leaking that was not leaking when I bought the car. Even on the first start after an oil change, there is no knocking, ticking or other abnormal noises. Just smooth and quiet.
And on my 2003 Jetta, for 5 years of using synthetic, the engine has remained leak free.
I trust Clarkz71's opinion since he has been working on MB's since before the W124 was born.

 

[Clarkz71]

Rotella 15W40

Found this on Bob Is The Oil Guy, someone e-mailed Shell oil to ask
about wear additives.

"Shell Rotella T Multigrade Oil SAE 15W-40 with Triple Protection Technology, our API CJ-4/SM specification product, typically contains about 1200 ppm zinc and 1100 ppm phosphorous as manufactured."

 

[Clarkz71]

For the 0W40 doubters

Interesting question I found on the "ask Mobil 1" FAQ. Note the car model.




Question: Using 5W-40 Grade Motor Oil Instead of 0W-40 in a Mercedes-Benz

I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic oil in my 1992 500E Mercedes for 4 years now
and have been told to consider 5W-40 grade for my car. I live in southern California,
my mechanic only carries 0W-40 weight, and I want to ask if the 5W-40 grade is better
then 0W-40 grade all around?
-- Steve Vainshtein, Los Angeles, CA

Answer:

Both a 5W-40 and 0W-40 will provide the same level of protection at high temperatures,
especially if you are using a product like Mobil 1. As far as the 0W versus the 5W,
this should not make a difference for you other than at start-up.
The 0W would provide you a faster start-up at low temperature but you are unlikely to see
the differences in your climate. Either grade is fine for you and unless you are having any issues,
we recommend you stay with Mobil 1 0W-40 as it is specifically designed for your type of vehicle

 

[Clarkz71]

This appears to be that moment when the oil discussion turns into an oil debate.
In almost 3 years, the wagon has continued to start and run great using 0W40. Aside from the few summer months, Western New York is a colder climate. The old oil still looks, feels and smells normal during oil changes and I have nothing new leaking that was not leaking when I bought the car. Even on the first start after an oil change, there is no knocking, ticking or other abnormal noises. Just smooth and quiet.
And on my 2003 Jetta, for 5 years of using synthetic, the engine has remained leak free.
I trust Clarkz71's opinion since he has been working on MB's since before the W124 was born.

First, thank you for trusting me, I would not give advice to use anything I wouldn't.

4BENZ needs to post up documentation from a legitimate source that
backs up what he is saying.

Mobil oil isn't going to recommend a product that will damage an engine.

Neither is a Mercedes Benz dealer, I used to question using a 0W40 oil
before I really researched it, I was a 20/50 school of thought guy.

Something I got from my father (also a technician) who learned the
trade in the old days when oil was crap. 20W50 Castrol GTX was one of
the best back then.

 

[Clarkz71]

MB spec 229.1

If you can find it, this Mobil 1 5W50 (not 15W50) meets spec 229.1

I didn't even know they had a 5W50

 

[4BENZ]

Clarkz71, My apologies. I now see that you got it from the mobil site.

As far as my previous post about 15W40, and 20W50 in the summer, that is what the Mercedes service advisors always told me when I used to go to the dealer from servicing. Even just recently, the parts guy said they use 15W40 Quaker state. I have no other documentation.

 

[ps2cho]

I dug up each of my #'s. Here they are: Each 5k mile intervals

Rotella-T 15-40:.................. 1177 zinc..... 965 phosphorus
Rotella-6 Synthetic 15-40:.... 1183 zinc.... 955 phosphorus
Delo 400 15-40:................... 1297 zinc.... 1101 phosphorus

Pretty conclusive that when the choice is there, go Delo over Rotella.