Just204

I've been looking into information on engine oil for our cars and came across this. https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...ets-sort1.html
I sent them an email because Amsoil is my favorite oil( been using on my cars for years and love it) and want to see if MB approves it's use. Just thought it may be interesting and maybe useful for people even though I've seen this discussed multiple times!

Carsy

Will you use it if it is not approved?

Just204

Even As much as I love the brand, no. I'm pretty **** on proper maintance lol.

Knightmare69

I can tell you for a fact that with proper oil change intervals almost any oil even if not MB approved oil will be fine. I say this because I ran BMW oil in my Benz for over a year, changing every 4000km and having my oil independently tested at a lab with great results. All my reports came back positive with no issues.

c300white

agree - most synthetics of correct grade will adequately protect engine under normal conditions - but for extended drain intervals , Mercedes , BMW and other major manufacturers have their own tests and have more strict specs on piston deposits and other factors the additive package addresses versus the base acea spec. I think 4K is too frequent a change interval - you should be able to go 7-8 on synthetic and maybe more based on uoa . I'm sure amsoil is good - but maybe does not test to the Mercedes specs ? Castrol/Mobil and similar brands at Walmart are cheaper and do the job .... At the end of the day it's your choice - and as always, ymmv ....

Just204

Amsoil does meet their specs but I want to make sure. The stuff at Walmart and other chain places don't meet mb specs if I read their data sheet correctly. Euro motors take diff oil then regular synthetic oils. This is why I emailed mb asking this, and also if they make dealers use proper oils.

Just204

An example is an experience I had with Mobil 1 on one of my cars. My engine burned it and smoked. That was the first and last time I used Mobil. Went back to Amsoil and didn't burn a drop.

Knightmare69

I change it that often because I drive like an ******* and it really doesn't cost that much to change since I do it myself. Cheaper to change the oil more frequently than replacing any engine parts.

Carsy

You are leading the gullible astray here. This is not correct.

Are you more experienced & educated in this field than the engineers of MB & the oil companies?

Knightmare69

No I am not and never claimed to be. What I did say is that I change my oil religiously and have every oil change sent out to a well established lab for independent testing and all my results have come back positive. I have been on this routine for well over 60k km hard driving.

Well since we're talking about credentials, do you have any to disprove what I said?

Carsy

Congratulations on changing the oil yourself more regularly than suggested & monitoring its condition . You must be a practical man.

Car manufacturers go to great lengths & expense to ensure the best possible & most suitable oils are used in their vehicles. Common-sense should tell consumers to follow their recommendations.

This also goes for recommended coolants . I just had to change my thermostat & was amazed that the condition of the internals of the alloy head. There was no discolouration or staining at all. Just very bright aluminium after 9 years with the same coolant. The coolant ( blue) was also crystal clear & clean . Recommended coolant change at 15 years or 250,000km.

Alfadude

You did say "I can tell you for a FACT that with proper oil change intervals ALMOST ANY OIL even if not MB approved oil will be fine. That would only be a fact if you tried "almost any oil". It sounded like your statement was based on the use of some BMW oil only. I don't know if 60K miles of hard driving is enough proof. I guess what I am saying is if you speak in absolutes like that you open yourself up to someone second guessing you.

Just204

Got a reply from MB, I have a few questions for them as a result but I'll post up the answer for u guys.

Crimzon

From what I've read and heard if you run the correct oil you can go 10,000 miles between changes

Just204

Here is what I received;

Thank you for your e-mail to our colleagues in Stuttgart, Germany. They forwarded it to Mercedes-Benz USA for response.


I have provided the approved oil brands below:

76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile 1 Formula M SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 New life 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile SHC Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile Super 3000 Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile SHC Formula MB 5W-30 SAE 5W-30
National Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q Horsepower Full Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q European Engine Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 SAE 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower HST SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Castrol Edge Professional SAE 0W-40

The opportunity to respond is appreciated.

Crimzon

Anyone know about Royal Purple ... I live in the states and believe this is a great oil ... Just not sure bout running it in my C300 4Matic Sport

Knightmare69

You're right so let me clarify, here in Hong Kong I've run MB recommened Shell Helix, BMW oil, OEM MB oil, Euro formula Castrol, Voltronic, Fuchs. Each oil had a sample sent out to an independent lab for testing and all came back with positive results. That is why I say almost any oil will work given proper maintenance.

As for manufacturer/dealer recommendations through their R&D, well the same people were also saying lifetime transmission fluid so it's up to each individual to make their own decisions. Of course the manufacturer puts lots into R&D but let's also not forget that at the end of the day, they're still a business so protecting their bottom line comes into play when certain recommendations are made.

capt_paul

I get my Mobil1 0W40 European Formula at Walmart all the time. It is an approved oil for MB

ColedTouch

Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula. $40 for 10 quarts. I swear I can feel the difference.

Moto_Guzzi

When my car ran out of gurantee at 6 years, I had the Engine oil, gearbox oil, and radiator fluid analised and all turned up ok.

I once spoke to a mining engineer which I met during phototaking. He said they did the experiments and came to the conclusion to change between 5-7K kiliometers after 7K it starts to degrade.
I now change at MAX 5K and engine stays clean inside. I change with 29.5 spec and the Oil Mercedes supply themselves at every dealership, and its not that expensive either.
Hopefully it last longer.

If you lease or replace car every 3 years, you of course dont bother about oil.

joesama

Hmm.
I'm not entirely too sure what Official Mercedes Service centers use in Australia but once I serviced the car, the car would very faintly shudder when on idle during start up. We thought it was the spark plugs having too much carbon build on it but that didn't fix the problem. On the next service, I serviced the car my self and this time, I've used Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 which is approved MB 229.5/226.5 API SN/CF rating.
This oil immediately stopped the shudder once replaced. So probably the dealer service guys are using a too thin oil. But, I would recommend this one. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. This one runs smooth and I can't fault it.