johnand

Yes I was wrong and apologize. I really meant for that particular rant that there was no Mobil branded 5W-40 that meets 229.5 spec in the US. Glyn does a good job of remembering that this is a WORLDWIDE forum. I tend to forget that.

I can't even find much info on the non-ESP oil that Glyn pointed out. I found a PDF from Mobil's site via Google search, but can't find that product listed on Mobil's Global site. I wonder if the ESP version replaced the non ESP? I know the dealers I have seen not following the 229.5 spec are using the M1 5W-40 ESP in all their vehicles.

There is a real problem with the MB approved oils because only a small few of the approved oils are readily available in the US. I have NEVER seen the Valvoline 5W-40 on the shelves, and I have searched high and low (Looking at the link that e24kgold posted, that oil is only available in bulk and 55G drums, so that is why.) Even the M1 0W-40 is hard to find in my area.

e24kgold

Wow, I find it here no problem as well as M1...John you might want to get a 55g drum of Mobile 1

johnand

You found the Valvoline 5W-40 in quarts? That PDF you posted doesn't have a part number for quarts, so I assumed it wasn't available in quarts.

I run the Pentosin 5W-30, as it is available at RM European in 5 liter jugs: http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._36565775.aspx 2 of those for $75 shipped to my door.

e24kgold

In the 5qt at wal-mart

johnand

Gotcha. Guess I'll have to venture into Wal-mart one of these days and take a look.

e24kgold

Believe me the only thing I go to wal-mart for is oil. I always feel like I need to shower after I leave. Dont forget your Wal-Mart bingo sheet http://www.barelyhangingon.com/wp-co...lmartBingo.jpg if that link doesnt work google walmart bingo

johnand

I hear you. I hadn't been in a Wal-mart in over 15 years, till last month. I was in a Wal-mart twice in 5 days I had a business trip to Columbus, OH area, and the ONLY grocery stores in the area were Wal-marts. It was pretty sad.

mac911

Glyn,

I'm researching this and planning to ask for some more clarification from MBUSA.

One person has rebutted my new belief that 229.51 is not for gasoline engines by arguing it is called for in the 6.2 liter AMG V8 (M156). Is there any truth to that?

Not being lucky enough to own a M156 I do not know myself what oil is specified for it.

If true though, why would 229.51 be ok in the AMG engine and not in say your everyday M272 gasoline engine?

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - I know the additive system used in it. Good product for Disco 3

Glyn M Ruck

I will have a new look into the AMG situation. They have typically picked certain formulations out of the approved 229.5 listing & only certain viscometrics that they like. This used to be listed with an asterisk on the approval listings but is no longer. It must be remembered that AMG also produce some diesel models - not sold in the US - that might be where some confusion lies

I unfortunately contribute to this forum in my private capacity. I can't post - nor would I - proprietary correspondence between DB Stuttgart & the oil industry. Let me assure you that the Benz demand that no product formulation can claim to be 229.5 & 229.51 is valid & documented - They will have none of it. One posting would confirm that in black & white.

We had a Fully Synthetic formulation in Europe that had been qualified under both 229.5 & 229.51. When the ban came our Ghent Technology Centre in Belgium had to backtrack swiftly & we made that our 229.51 product & qualified a new formulation that was optimised around the requirements of 229.5. We have a very important relationship with Stuttgart both technically & commercially.

MBUSA seem to want to buck the system. I mentioned the 7G "filled for life" saga above. The only reason that Zerex coolant is still listed for the US was a relaxation of spec in the Daimler Chrysler days. It is not really the sort of product that Stuttgart want in their cooling systems.

I will monitor with interest your findings as you approach MBUSA again on this subject. They want to run the longest drain intervals in the world on a product that is performance compromised for gasoline. Then to make matters worse after selling cars for years there with the M271 engine & a sticker under the hood stating that long-drain is predicated on the use of the Mann fleece filter - they withdraw availability of that filter to the US market & provide cheap paper crap.

I continue to reach the same conclusion. That MBUSA does not think that American buyers will have the same life expectancy of their vehicles that traditional buyers in ROW have.

Why don't you write to Stuttgart & pose your question? I know what the reply would be.

Do you know the AMG recommended drain interval in the US?

mac911

Glyn M Ruck -

I found evidence myself that they recommend 229.51 in the 6.2 Liter AMG V8, in 5w40 OR 0w40. 229.5 they say can also be used but specifically points out 0w40 only in 229.5. Whatever that might mean.

AMG service interval is 10,000 miles in the U.S.

Which starting with MY 2009, became the service interval for non-AMGs too.

13,000 was last used in 2008 MY.

I have indeed wrote Mercedes in Stuttgart previously on other issues. However, they flat out refuse to address *anything* for a U.S. customer. The correspondence is immediately and effectively automatically forwarded to MBUSA for response. Odd I know. They claim MBUSA is solely responsible for vehicles and customers in the U.S.

Thanks again.

Extra note - When I get my 7G Tronic serviced, is there a fluid I should insist on since you can't trust these dealers at anything?

Glyn M Ruck

I will do some scratching to see what AMG's current thinking is. I need to understand why they might want a low ash oil - If this is correct they may have some deposit problems or Cat converter problems at their engine outputs.

I'm pleased to see drain intervals coming in line with ROW.

Your 7G requires 236.14 fluid