which oil to use?
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which oil to use?
Well today was the day: I am now owner of a 1996 C220! Looks mighty nice sitting in the driveway, too.
Question: as a "courtesy" the seller just did an oil change with run-of-the-mill Jiffy Lube 5W-30 oil. However, I looked at the Mobil 1 website and they said, 5W-30 was only recommended for very severe winter (which I hope has passed even here in Maine!), and otherwise use 0W-40 or 15W-50.
I'm confused. Regular or synthetic? And what viscosity. Any recommendations on change intervals would help too.
Thanks. -Jim
Question: as a "courtesy" the seller just did an oil change with run-of-the-mill Jiffy Lube 5W-30 oil. However, I looked at the Mobil 1 website and they said, 5W-30 was only recommended for very severe winter (which I hope has passed even here in Maine!), and otherwise use 0W-40 or 15W-50.
I'm confused. Regular or synthetic? And what viscosity. Any recommendations on change intervals would help too.
Thanks. -Jim
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
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From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Drain that oil immediately! For anyone to run that thin of oil in that car when it's starting to get warm is an idiot. Oh, I just realized you're in Maine. I always run 10W40 in the winter and 20W50 in the summer. It has worked very well for me as the oil still feels slimy after 7,500 miles. Use non-synthetic oil that is a well known brand. I'm glad to hear you got the car. You will love it the more you drive it.
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C220
You'll get 100 different answers from 100 different people on this topic.
General points of (close to) consensus are:
1. Change you oil often
2. Change it hot
3. Use high quality, OEM-equivalent filters
4. Avoid Jiffy Lube
My own take on the specifics are:
I use synthetic (Castrol Syntec), 10W40 in the summer and 10W30 in the winter. Many people use Mobil 1 with great results also. I started with Castrol Syntec when I bought the car, and I subscribe to the (somewhat neurotic) school of thought that says to stick with one brand of oil, as your seals and gaskets "get used" to a certain blend of detergents. That being said however, I might make the switch to Mobil 1, as they now sell an 0W40 weight oil in the US.
You can buy OEM quality filters (I'm partial to Hengst and Mann) through a number of sources, ranging from your dealer (most expensive) to online shops that will often include free shipping if you buy over a certain amount. My favorite three are:
www.importec.com
www.buymbparts.com
www.mercedesshop.com
I'm personally a fan of changing my own oil, as I like working on my car, and I can make sure that I am getting the exact right amount of oil in the system. If you do this, you might be well-served by buying the specific filter cap wrench. I think that its available from the above stores, I bought mine from a dealer.
As for the synthetic/nonsynthetic decision and the switch, that argument's really been beaten to death, and I have nothing of value to add to that.
Good luck!
General points of (close to) consensus are:
1. Change you oil often
2. Change it hot
3. Use high quality, OEM-equivalent filters
4. Avoid Jiffy Lube
My own take on the specifics are:
I use synthetic (Castrol Syntec), 10W40 in the summer and 10W30 in the winter. Many people use Mobil 1 with great results also. I started with Castrol Syntec when I bought the car, and I subscribe to the (somewhat neurotic) school of thought that says to stick with one brand of oil, as your seals and gaskets "get used" to a certain blend of detergents. That being said however, I might make the switch to Mobil 1, as they now sell an 0W40 weight oil in the US.
You can buy OEM quality filters (I'm partial to Hengst and Mann) through a number of sources, ranging from your dealer (most expensive) to online shops that will often include free shipping if you buy over a certain amount. My favorite three are:
www.importec.com
www.buymbparts.com
www.mercedesshop.com
I'm personally a fan of changing my own oil, as I like working on my car, and I can make sure that I am getting the exact right amount of oil in the system. If you do this, you might be well-served by buying the specific filter cap wrench. I think that its available from the above stores, I bought mine from a dealer.
As for the synthetic/nonsynthetic decision and the switch, that argument's really been beaten to death, and I have nothing of value to add to that.
Good luck!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
7.9 quarts (just put in a full 8) of 10W40, 15W50, or 20W50 non-synthetic oil. You will also need a filter. If you are in a hurry to get it done you can get one at Autozone or Pepboys. They aren't the best, but I've never had a problem with them. If you've got some time, order some from www.thebenzbin.com or www.bimmerzone.com .
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Joined: Oct 2002
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C220
I'd advise against putting in the full 8 quarts at first. (Also make sure that you convert the quarts to liters if you're buying oil in liters) If you have time, I'd advise waiting on the last half quart or so until you have warmed up the engine and let the new filter absorb the oil. It's unlikely that you'll get *all* of the old oil out, and it's better to check your dipstick to make sure that you aren't over the maximum level, which will cause frothing inside of your engine, which is a bad thing. Once you've warmed up the engine and let the oil settle back into the pan, check the level and top it up accordingly. This is one of the reasons I hate taking my car to a quick-lube shop, as they don't care about overfilling the engine, as you won't see the effects until thousands of miles later.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 108
From: PA
E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
I gotta be quick, here are a few good oils. The spec to look for is ACEA A3, but all these do not have it. Select one suitable to budget and climate and you are set.
$1 Chevron Supreme any weight needed
$2 Any diesel-rated HDEO 15w-40 (Chevron Delo 400, Mobil Delvac 1300, Pennzoil LL) or Syntec Blend 10w-40 (A3) or Castrol GTX Hi-Mi any weight, Pennzoil HM too.
$3 Shell Rotella T Synth 5w-40 (WalMart)
$4-$5 Mobil 1 0w-40 and the 5w-40 SUV aka Delvac-1
My top oil in USA is German-made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 aka SLX or "GC". Meets every Mercedes spec, an amazing fluid available only at AutoZone. Must say "Made in Germany" on it.
A good place for research...
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...?ubb=forum;f=1
$1 Chevron Supreme any weight needed
$2 Any diesel-rated HDEO 15w-40 (Chevron Delo 400, Mobil Delvac 1300, Pennzoil LL) or Syntec Blend 10w-40 (A3) or Castrol GTX Hi-Mi any weight, Pennzoil HM too.
$3 Shell Rotella T Synth 5w-40 (WalMart)
$4-$5 Mobil 1 0w-40 and the 5w-40 SUV aka Delvac-1
My top oil in USA is German-made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 aka SLX or "GC". Meets every Mercedes spec, an amazing fluid available only at AutoZone. Must say "Made in Germany" on it.
A good place for research...
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...?ubb=forum;f=1
Last edited by Audi Junkie; Apr 14, 2004 at 11:10 PM.
