Strange oil grades
01-31-2003, 04:59 PM
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ml320
Strange oil grades
MB approve 0W40 and 15W40 Mobil1 motor oil use in the 3.2l 6 cyclinder but not 5W30 or 10W30.
This seems strange to me
since the first number suggests the mill is okay at low temperatures with anything from a 0 through 15 rating yet at the higher temperature the more viscous 40 rating applies.
Any ideas on why this is so?
This seems strange to me
since the first number suggests the mill is okay at low temperatures with anything from a 0 through 15 rating yet at the higher temperature the more viscous 40 rating applies. Any ideas on why this is so?
02-02-2003, 10:26 AM
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Conventional oils are not recommended for the FSS (Flexible Service System) according to the Service Booklet. MB only recommends the use of synthetic oils in cars equipped with FSS (Model Year 1998+). This is the list in the Service Booklet of approved synthetic oils:
Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 15W-50, 0W-40
Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-50, 10W-40
Quaker State Full Synthetic Euro Formula 5W-40
Penzoil Synthetic Euro 5W-40
76 Pure Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40
Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic 15W-50, 0W-40
Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-50, 10W-40
Quaker State Full Synthetic Euro Formula 5W-40
Penzoil Synthetic Euro 5W-40
76 Pure Synthetic 5W-40
Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40
02-04-2003, 03:42 AM
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You should ask MBUSA or MB Germany yourself. Only speculation can be offered from this point on. Possible answers:
(1) Mobil 5W-30 failed the tests that MB performed on it.
(2) MB never tested Mobil 5W-30 so it could never have been on the list.
(3) MB is not willing to gamble their FSS on a Mobil1 5W-30 grade.
Your location is not listed on your profile. If this oil is suitable for the climate you're located in, then use it. What's your dilemna? Just remember that you're not abiding by the recommended oil lists so any issues you encounter with MB are at your own risk.
My IS300's recommended oil is a conventional 5W-30. Do I abide by this recommendation? Hell no, I only put Castrol Syntec 5W-50 and on one occasion, Mobil1 10W-30 which I had lying around.
My E320 only gets Castrol Syntec 5W-50. Ironically the dealer I go to uses Castrol Syntec 5W-50 on all non-AMG cars. Only the AMG cars get Mobil1. So much for the partnership with Mobil1...price still dictates.
(1) Mobil 5W-30 failed the tests that MB performed on it.
(2) MB never tested Mobil 5W-30 so it could never have been on the list.
(3) MB is not willing to gamble their FSS on a Mobil1 5W-30 grade.
Your location is not listed on your profile. If this oil is suitable for the climate you're located in, then use it. What's your dilemna? Just remember that you're not abiding by the recommended oil lists so any issues you encounter with MB are at your own risk.
My IS300's recommended oil is a conventional 5W-30. Do I abide by this recommendation? Hell no, I only put Castrol Syntec 5W-50 and on one occasion, Mobil1 10W-30 which I had lying around.
My E320 only gets Castrol Syntec 5W-50. Ironically the dealer I go to uses Castrol Syntec 5W-50 on all non-AMG cars. Only the AMG cars get Mobil1. So much for the partnership with Mobil1...price still dictates.
02-04-2003, 06:50 AM
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Re: Strange oil grades
Originally posted by marineboy0
MB approve 0W40 and 15W40 Mobil1 motor oil use in the 3.2l 6 cyclinder but not 5W30 or 10W30.
...
MB approve 0W40 and 15W40 Mobil1 motor oil use in the 3.2l 6 cyclinder but not 5W30 or 10W30.
...
02-04-2003, 04:00 PM
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ml320
See: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html which states that Mobil1 5W30 and 10W30 are NOT MB229.1.
Maybe the following sheds some light?
"Subject: Re: Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-30
Subject: Re: Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-30
I would be very careful about using 0W30 in overhead cam engines at ambient
temperatures of 68 deg F or above because of several tidbits of information
I have gathered over the years:
1. The US requires manufacturers to post the same weight oil that is used
for gas mileage testing aspart of their "recommended" oils.
2. Up until recently, US grade oils including Mobil 1 synthetics did not
pass strict Japanese and European oil requirements (GM apparently lobbied
against such requirements in the US)
3. Mercedes Benz has always recommended only 40 weight oils or higher for
ambient temp greater than
68 deg F, except for "fuel saving oils" which may be their way of following
the US requirements. I don't know if the newer 30 weight synthetics have
been improved enough for the kind of engineprotection needed for the long
haul.
4. Porsche 993's seem to need new camshafts early in cars using synthetic.
A well regarded engine mechanic in the Seattle area has found this. I
believe most of the folks used 30 weight syntheticsin their cars since those
are the most common.
5. The only original equipment oils (put in at the factory) I have heard of
found in Porsche or Mercedes cars is 5W40 or 0W40 synthetic or regular dino
oil. Recent Corvettes used 5W30 synthetic
but they are not overhead cam. I believe BMW uses a 40 weight synthetic
also from what I've heard.
Unless you live in a cold area of the country, I would be careful to use a
heavier weight oil. The heavier oil may be necessary to protect overhead
cams and to be a better heat sink when running hot.
It is still then illogical that other xW30 grades of synthetic are approved
Maybe the following sheds some light?
"Subject: Re: Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-30
Subject: Re: Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-30
I would be very careful about using 0W30 in overhead cam engines at ambient
temperatures of 68 deg F or above because of several tidbits of information
I have gathered over the years:
1. The US requires manufacturers to post the same weight oil that is used
for gas mileage testing aspart of their "recommended" oils.
2. Up until recently, US grade oils including Mobil 1 synthetics did not
pass strict Japanese and European oil requirements (GM apparently lobbied
against such requirements in the US)
3. Mercedes Benz has always recommended only 40 weight oils or higher for
ambient temp greater than
68 deg F, except for "fuel saving oils" which may be their way of following
the US requirements. I don't know if the newer 30 weight synthetics have
been improved enough for the kind of engineprotection needed for the long
haul.
4. Porsche 993's seem to need new camshafts early in cars using synthetic.
A well regarded engine mechanic in the Seattle area has found this. I
believe most of the folks used 30 weight syntheticsin their cars since those
are the most common.
5. The only original equipment oils (put in at the factory) I have heard of
found in Porsche or Mercedes cars is 5W40 or 0W40 synthetic or regular dino
oil. Recent Corvettes used 5W30 synthetic
but they are not overhead cam. I believe BMW uses a 40 weight synthetic
also from what I've heard.
Unless you live in a cold area of the country, I would be careful to use a
heavier weight oil. The heavier oil may be necessary to protect overhead
cams and to be a better heat sink when running hot.
It is still then illogical that other xW30 grades of synthetic are approved
02-05-2003, 05:26 PM
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Originally posted by marineboy0
See: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html which states that Mobil1 5W30 and 10W30 are NOT MB229.1....
See: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html which states that Mobil1 5W30 and 10W30 are NOT MB229.1....
Our computers are linked with DCAG (DaimlerChrysler AG Germany)
Your car is a ML320, the engine code is 112.942, recommended oil types are on sheet 229.1, recommended viscosities are on 224.1.
When I look at my computer at the ORIGINAL MB 229.1 sheet (full name: BB00.40-P-0229-01A), I see following recommended MOBIL oils: 1 Tri-synthetic; Delvac CX; Delvac MX (only 15W40); Special S; Special X; Super F-XHP; Super Formula; Super M; Super S; Super S Diesel; Super XHP; Universal FL.
When I look at the ORIGINAL MB 224.1 sheet (full name: BB00.40-P-0224-01A), I see following recommended viscosities: all temperatures: 0W30; 5W30; 0W40; 5W40; 5W50, temperatures above -4° (-20°C): 10W30; 10W40; 10W50; 10W60, temperatures above 5° (-15°C): 15W40; 15W50, temperatures above 23° (-5°C): 20W40; 20W50.
This is the information from DCAG, but maybe that website has "special information"...or MBUSA has "own" 229.1-sheets?
Or maybe you should just ask MBUSA if they have specific standards instead of those from DCAG?
...But do not use non-MB-information!
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02-06-2003, 07:46 AM
#8
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Patrick
I completely agree - it is hard to know what to believe. I think that wisdom extends beyond what is found on the web....just look at current national events.
Thank you very much for looking this up.
It is curious that MB do not include better guidance in their user documentation or that Mobil1 actually listed the recommendations on their web site.
For me this eliminates any concern to use 5W30 in winter and 10W30 in summer and I will switch to a 10W40 grade as the vehicle ages (The vehicle is a ML320 1999).
I completely agree - it is hard to know what to believe. I think that wisdom extends beyond what is found on the web....just look at current national events.
Thank you very much for looking this up.
It is curious that MB do not include better guidance in their user documentation or that Mobil1 actually listed the recommendations on their web site.For me this eliminates any concern to use 5W30 in winter and 10W30 in summer and I will switch to a 10W40 grade as the vehicle ages (The vehicle is a ML320 1999).
02-08-2003, 09:30 AM
#9
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oil grade
The 0w40 is is recommended by MB for the new 03`s that have service intervals of 20.000km and not 15000 like the regular fss.
(I think it`s called super syntetic)
(I think it`s called super syntetic)
02-08-2003, 04:36 PM
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Originally posted by patrick
...Your car is a ML320, the engine code is 112.942, recommended oil types are on sheet 229.1, recommended viscosities are on 224.1...
...Your car is a ML320, the engine code is 112.942, recommended oil types are on sheet 229.1, recommended viscosities are on 224.1...
10-04-2004, 12:53 AM
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E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
SAE viscosity is a wide range. M1 5w-30 is on the thin side of 30 weight, about 10 Cst. The 0w-40 starts as a light 40, but thins to a 30 rather quickly. A 0w-30 like German Syntec starts on the 30/40 borderline, 12Cst, and stays there.
That whnet.com does more harm than good. There is little or no real info on the net about oil other than BitOG.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...?ubb=forum;f=1
Light oil like M1 5w-30 is all about meeting CAFE mpg standards. You get a lil extra mpg with light oil, but higher wear. Outside USA, heavier oil is prefered. On a tuned car, it is a MUST. I have seen S4s burn-out on M1 30 weights.
That whnet.com does more harm than good. There is little or no real info on the net about oil other than BitOG.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...?ubb=forum;f=1
Light oil like M1 5w-30 is all about meeting CAFE mpg standards. You get a lil extra mpg with light oil, but higher wear. Outside USA, heavier oil is prefered. On a tuned car, it is a MUST. I have seen S4s burn-out on M1 30 weights.
