brian9237

my service center acidently poured oil into the altenator when it spilled onto the heads and manifolds. Now the battery light comes on. mb service said the alt might be going bad now. Need help

Stuka Bomber

Just a heads up, anyone looking for 0w40 mobil 1. You can search for it on wal-mart's website for the closest in-stock. $21 per 5 qts!

kluvsbenz

Good job!! With the tip and view of the lady.

mercedes4ever

The non-ESP version has a grey label, is marked for compliance with 229.3/229.5 specs ... it appears to be a special "model" of the oil tweaked for Mercedes, and I can only find it for sale at the dealership.[QUOTE=jkowtko;5388580]Be aware -- Mobil 1 Formula M 5w-40 and Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5w-40 are two different oils! I went to the dealership yesterday and they pulled out both bottles so I could look at them and compare.

The ESP version has a green label, is clearly marked as "low ash content" and complies with 229.31/229.51 specs ... they use this exclusively on diesel engines.

Agree 100%...MB like all manufacturers is constantly testing through R & D,
what was great yesterday maybe superseded by a better one tomorrow, you have to move with advances IN technology OILS ARE NO DIFFERENT.

RWDlifer

In case you don't have a dealer near you, here is an MB dealer in PA offering the non ESP 5w40 Mobil 1 formula M. I'm gonna give it a shot for my summer oil change and see what the hype is all about. It gets quite toasty in south TX anyway, 5w40 should be good...

mercedes4ever

I would be changing service people, those F#@k-wits should be avoided like the plague. They need to pay for a new Alternator.

VVF

Why not get 5qts of Mobil1 0w40 for ~ $25 at Walmart?

jkowtko

Can anyone say what is the difference (other than cold weight) between Mobil 1 0w40 and 5w40 Formula M? The former can be found at most auto stores, the latter only at the dealership.

RWDlifer

It's not about the cost factor, just wanting to try something different. If I don't like it I'll just run down to WM and pick up 6 qts (not 5) of M1 0w40 for the next change...

tmandel

Huh. Still seems some room here for misunderstanding:

Glyn's "dump" from 2011 shows these 3 as fine:
Mobil 1 0W-40 x Exxon Mobil Corporation, FAIRFAX, Virginia/USA
Mobil 1 Arctic 0W-40 x Exxon Mobil Corporation, FAIRFAX, Virginia/USA
Mobil 1 Formula M 5W-40 x Exxon Mobil Corporation, FAIRFAX, Virginia/USA

(What "Formula M" might mean is an open question: perhaps "M" = "Mercedes"?)

On the other hand, the more recent document supplied by Ontmiss, mentions only the following for pre-2005 cars under the 229.5 spec:

Mobil 1 Formula 0W-40
Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40

Mobil's site makes no mention of any "SuperSyn" product. But it does show both "Mobil 1" and "Mobil 1 Extended Performance" -- but this product is not available in 0W-40 or 5W-40.

Clicking on the Mobil 1 page, there is a 0W-40 available. But the only 5W-40 shown is an ESP product specifically intended for diesels/229.51.

The 0W-40 page describes this oil as the "European Car Formula." This would appear to be the only appropriate oil and identical to the "SuperSyn" designation.

It's like you need a navigation system for the world of motor oils!

tmandel

As well, in the "fluids.pdf" document, I find the following: 229.5 ...engine oils must be used in conjunction with fleece oil filter (�� page 14) in vehicles with Mercedes- Benz Maintenance System (as of MY2005).

and: The use of fleece oil filters is not mandatory on vehicles prior to MY2005.

And (in the first MB document in this thread): 229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter when used with the Mercedes Maintenance System (MY2005+) in M112, M113, M272 and M273 engines. With FSS paper filters are fine.

jkowtko

The 5W-40 Formula M might very well be for Mercedes distribution only ... the only place I have ever seen this for sale is at the local Mercedes dealership.

And yes, non-ESP for gasoline engines.

tmandel

Still...

if I have understood correctly, best is to use only Mobil 1 0W-40 along with a Mann HU 718/5 filter, and that is what I will do.

jkowtko

Fyi, I haven't seen the approved oils web page posted anywhere recently ... here it is:

https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html

It looks like there are at least a couple other somewhat-commonly found oils in the USA on the list:

* Valvoline SynPower 5W-40
* Pennzoil Platinum European Formula (5w-40)

I'd like to find a Castrol on the list that is also available but having a hard time finding this one in the correct weight:

* Castrol EDGE TITANIUM 5W-40

Stuka Bomber

Maybe I'm lucky but my local Walmart regularly stocks euro spec 0w40 Mobil 1. All I had to do was ask store manager. $22 per 5 qts.

jkowtko

I guess you're right .. I just checked and our nearby walmart has 0w40 European car formula for $25/5qt jug. I guess I know where to go for the next oil change

Stuka Bomber

And to be even more slick I go to autozone and make them price match $25 for 5 qts. So there is no guessing when adding new oil. 1 jug 5qts + 4-1qt bottles.

VVF

You mean you buy 5 1qt bottles from autozone for $25? How do you prove to them the price in wally? Show a photo or..?

Stuka Bomber

^ no need for the photo. The Walmart smart phone app has the prices and inventories of your local Walmart.

Glyn M Ruck

Please understand one thing. FSS is switched off on most Benz cars & Assyst is set on mileage & one year whichever comes first.

If you want to run extended drain. i.e. 10,000 miles or more you need to run a fleece filter where available for maximum oil cleanliness. Not doing so is just plain dumb.

jkowtko

Fyi at 110k mi I'm doing my oil changes at half intervals now ... 6k, about every 6 months. I know it may not be of much of a help, but having fresher oil in the system at all times certainly wont hurt the engine, and I also never have to worry about the integrity of the filter.

And at Walmart prices it really isn't going to hit the pocketbook that badly either.

tmandel

Glyn -- thanks, and yes I will certainly use the Mann Fleece filter. I assumed -- perhaps wrongly? -- that the Mann HU 718/5 filter is the fleece filter? If not, does someone have the correct filter part no.?

I don't believe FSS is turned off on my car. I've always used FSS on my W210 wagon -- should I discontinue using it? I.e. is it better simply to change oil @ 1yr/10K using the fleece filter?

I've never thought to change a full synthetic oil any more often than that? Always happy to be set straight!

VVF

+1, been doing that as well.

icq1201

Hi Glyn,

Please help me to answer these questions:
1. Can I use 229.3 oil for my C240 2005, or I must use 229.5?
2. How many miles I can run for 229.3 and 229.5?

Glyn M Ruck

Best to use 229.5.

229.3 = 5000 miles
229.5 = 10,000 miles