FrankW

dealership usually put 0w-40 when ever they have them. if not they use other grades of Mobile 1. They all mix very well like you said.

I missed the day when they had the Mobile 1 15w-50 for high working temperture engines. Those worked perfectly during the summer. I still have 3qt of it.

wingless

So you don’t have MB documentation that is more current than the one I listed? So you don’t have MB documentation that supports your positions that any synthetic oil is acceptable or that Mobil 1 10W-40 is acceptable for MY 05 vehicles?

Sure, disregard the instructions in the MB manual. Clearly you have greater knowledge than the MB engineers, who bothered to define explicit requirements.

BTW, the manual does not limit the vehicle to 0W-40, or to Mobil 1. With all the various posts admonishing members to RTFM, I am surprised to observe all those who still fail to follow that advise.

mleskovar

[QUOTE=wingless:Sure, disregard the instructions in the MB manual. Clearly you have greater knowledge than the MB engineers, who bothered to define explicit requirements..[/QUOTE]

These are from my "Factory Approved Service Products" booklet dated Oct'00 for my '01 model car and it is good for FSS equiped vehicles back to '98. I have the same engine as you. Sorry about the poor quality of pictures....no scanner.

nlpamg

here's an update... I went to pep boys this morning b/c I could have sworn that I saw 0W-40 there last night (but I actually saw that at target), and since they didn't have it and I was late for work, I just drove the 20 miles to work. then, I called up Beverly Hills LTD MB and told them my situation and they said just come in and they can take care of it.

so I went 30 minutes ago on my lunch break and they basically just added oil (and windshield washer fluid) in the driveway. they didn't even write me up or anything, I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. my only thing was that they added oil from a clean unmarked container... I have no clue what viscosity or what that was. oh well... less than 2400 miles till Service B. at least when I checked my MFD it said my oil level was ok.

thanks for the help!

drexappeal

Beverly Hills LTD MB? Is this BH MB on Beverly Blvd., Phil? If it is, that's the dealership I normally go to.

wingless

Thank you for posting these images. It provides a historical perspective for the earlier vehicles.

The more-current document I referenced, groups MY '98 through MY '04 vehicles together with one set of acceptable oils, while MY '05 vehicles have a different set of acceptable oils.


Some forum members maintain an inventory of spare acceptable oil on-board, in anticipation of this expected event.

nlpamg

yep, that's it. I used to go there with my w202 but they charged waaay too much compared to HOI and DTLA Motors, and they used to give me Corollas as loaner cars. now however, I may start going back there!

I wish I was that prepared. I think I will buy a quart next time I'm in target just as a spare. I honestly hate bringing oil in the car with me b/c I'm always scared of having it spill or have it catch on fire (which is pretty dumb on my part)...

FrankW

don't have to because mleskovar just posted what I wanted to post. I have those in both my sister's 2000 CLK320 as well as my 2002 C32.

please stop acting like it's the first time everyone else had ever owned a MBZ.

FrankW

what's that got to do with it?

the 320 engine in the C-class remain unchanged from 2001-2005. They have a different set of oil list because some of the manufacturer have discountinued some of the grades that were listed. It's not because the engine has changed.

drexappeal

Dude, if you go there, go to Danny! That's my SA. He's a good guy. Didn't even give me a hard time with my TEIN's. He's the only reason I stayed there because the rest of the SA's weren't very friendly to me (cuz I looked like a H.S. kid - pre-judgment). Anyways, if you want a benz loaner there, you normally have to ask for one in advance. Some strange thing they have since Enterprise provides rentals for them also.

nlpamg

thanks man! I will do that. the guy I used to go to at DTLA Motors (Scott) is now gone, so I may look for a new place. and, I think I shall be in the market for the springs by mid-month... I will let you know! thanks!

HoustonC230

What the hell are you doing on a forum if you believe anything and everything just because MB said so? How many times has someone here gone to the dealer and been given some BS advice?

Do you even understand what the numbers mean? Different climates/conditions require different viscosity oils. Using Mobile 1 10w40 is not going to void his warranty. It's in the range of recommended viscosities, and a recommended brand. And I'd be willing to bet there's dealerships out there using it in the cars. And I'm not positive if it would cover fluid changes - but wouldn't the Magnuson-Moss act prevent MB from even being able to void the warranty?

MB didn't avoid specifying other weights/brands/etc because the oil won't work... it's because there is no possible way to include EVERY combination that works - the list would be endless and ever-changing. (No, I don't know this for a fact - but as an engineer who writes specifications, I deal with similar situations ever day). Not to mention if they had to address which oil to use for which conditions - it'd be way over the head of many MB drivers.

Yes, in general, it's a good idea to follow the manual - but it doesn't address everything. It can't, the manual would be huge. MB gives the tire pressures on the car - but they're not the best pressures to use for all driving purposes, conditions, and tires. Just another example of where they provide a "base case," but don't address every possible combination.

mleskovar

[QUOTE=wingless]The more-current document I referenced, groups MY '98 through MY '04 vehicles together with one set of acceptable oils, while MY '05 vehicles have a different set of acceptable oils.QUOTE]

Your engine and mine are identical so that doesn't make sense. The original poster has a 4 cylinder, supercharged, totally different engine. If you look at what's acceptable just about any weight is OK until you get to -5F and 20W stops being recommended. On my chart the upper limit of 86F and above is covered by everything from 0W-30 to 20W-50.

wingless

Uh, everything. This is the document that defines the maintenance product requirements for the vehicle.


Does this make sense to you? Within the document I referenced, as I've stated, it defines one set of acceptable oils for '98 to '04 AND another set for '05.

So, if as you've stated, the engine oil requirements are unchanged between the two groups, why would there be two tables in the manual? Presumably oil grades were not discontinued between the manual’s editor typing of one table and the next.


Actually, as mleskovar stated, the document he referenced is an older version, issued for MY ’01 vehicles. This has been superceded by the document I have referenced. Instead, the information posted by Moviela, who has an ’05, agrees with the more current document I’ve been referencing.Using the Internet requires the ability to identify good information from bad. With each of your posts, that contained information that contradicts the information provided by MB, I posed the question asking for the reference document that supports that post.

There should be no confusion about the validity of the information presented. On one hand MB documentation is cited, chapter and verse, on the other hand anecdotal references to sibling’s vehicles are used.


What supports that position? Statements have been made without supporting documentation. I have questioned the basis for those statements.


MB defines specific requirements and also states that not following those requirements can affect the warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 prohibits requiring tie-in sales, for example: only MB brand oil may be used or the warranty is void. It does, however, permit specifying specific requirements, in this case for the oil. MB permits any oil, that satisfies the 229.5 specification to be acceptable in MY ’05 vehicles. The manual defines three acceptable alternatives.

In a situation like that should your post be brought to the dealership to resolve any warranty disputes?


This statement is incorrect. As I’ve previously stated, which you’ve quoted, the document I’ve referenced permits other weights and brands.

FrankW

all in all, you still haven't answered the question "Do you even understand what the numbers mean? "

wingless

This link has very complete listings for all the MB oil classifications. As previously stated, MY '05 vehicles require MB sheet 229.5 oils. Also, MY '98 through MY '04 require sheet 229.3 oils, but may use 229.5 oils, but those require the fleece filter.

Of particular interest is this information, contained within the link:

some oils which are not recommended:
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 0W-30 SL/SJ/CF A1/B1/A5 9.7 doesn't meet 229.1 nor ACEA A2 or A3
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 SL/SJ/CF A1/B1/A5 9.8 doesn't meet 229.1 nor ACEA A2 or A3
Mobil 1 SuperSyn 10W-30 SL/SJ/CF A1/B1/A5 10.1 doesn't meet 229.1 nor ACEA A2 or A3
These 3 oils do not meet MB spec of > 3.5 cP for high temperature high shear strength.

wingless

Mobil 1 10W-40, which has been suggested as an acceptable option, includes these approvals: SL; SJ; A3 and B3.

According to this link oils with those approvals are acceptable for MY '97 and earlier. Additionally, the link states those oils are acceptable "only if MB sheet 229.3 or 229.5 is not available".

The linked information includes a page from the MY '02 M-Class manual, which states: "Approved engine oils (synthetic/mineral) may be mixed. However, we only recommend mixing engine oils of the same quality grade and SAE class.”

HoustonC230

Still no answer.... must not be written in a MB specification.

wingless

It is my hope to face this adversity with (centi-) poise.

My review of my posts does not reveal any claims, by me, of expertise in viscosity. That appears to be a slippery topic.

My plan is to continue providing correct information, with supporting documentation. I’ll leave my detractors to continue to provide the opposite.

FrankW

so you don't know what they mean? how do you provide correct information if you don't know what they mean? what good of your information is if you don't know what you are talking about?

no wonder Axxis didn't even bother listening to your post.

Axxis22

this thread got way to complicated.

I already put in the 0w-40... so o well!

wingless

What information is presented on pages 2 through 5 of your manual titled: "Factory Approved Service Products June 2004" that is in the Owner's Manual case?

E55 KEV

does 02 C320 also use 0w-40? how many quarts? thanks

Moviela

You can use 0W 40 Mobil 1 that meets sheet 229.5 specification. The oil bottle will quote that number (229.5) if it meets the spec. It is usually in the fine print on the back label.

If, and only if, you buy a fleece filter you can extend the service interval to 1 year or 13000 miles, which ever occurs first. This filter and oil combination allow the extended service interval, and can be used on older W203.

Good news oil fans, a sponsor of this forum now carries the fleece filter in a Mann-Hummel package. Performance Products in Van Nuys has them. Part no. 18-095 is a Mann HU718/5X. It comes with the o rings for $ 15.85 plus packing and post. Performance Products web site is wrong, it shows different filters for this Mann filter which is the preferred replacement by Mercedes Benz. Might be good to call them and inquire (800) 752-6268.

My C240 which I have read is a similar block to the C320, holds nearly eight (8) quarts of oil.

Hksuperman4000

I recently did my first oil change on my MB. I put in 6 bottles of 10w-30.... After it was in I realized I was suppose to put 0-40. How will this effect my car? and should I do a oil change again so get some new 0-40 in there let me know thanks