JamesKim

Hi. I'm about to get my engine oil changed, and I read the owner's manual. I have the engine M272 on a 2011 C-class 4matic that requires 7 liters of oil (apparently 4matic's require 1 liter less). It says the allowed engine oil type is 0w-40, 5w-30, 5w-40.

Which one is the best for my engine? It's the 2.5 liter V6 engine. Which one gives you best performance or reliability? Also, what is the best brand? Mercedes-benz says Mobile-1 is recommended, but I'd like to use Quaker State if I can.

edit: Can I use Valvoline full synthetic as well?

Knightmare69

I've run all the grades but I settled on 5w30 because for me it's the best all rounder. 0w40 allowed the car to warm up faster but because of how thin it was, I would burn a lil more than usual plus I changed it more often seeing how dirty it got. 5w40 was ok, seemed to warm up a lil slower than 5w30 but its really up to you. My wife tends to start the car and just zoom lol.

As for brand, I used Mobil 1, fty approved Shell and now on Motul. Truthfully, the performance differences between them to me are minimal although with Motul I "thought" I felt a slightly better performance.

Carsy

Only use the MB recommended oil & filter.

MB-Approved Synthetic Engine Oil MB Sheet
Mobil 1 Formula 0W-40 229.5
Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 229.5
Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30* 229.5
Pennzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-30* 229.5
Quaker State European Formula Ultra 5W-30* 229.5
ELF Excellium 229.5 5W-30* 229.5
Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40*1 (Diesel only) 229.51
Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30*1 (Diesel only) 229.51
ELF Solaris LSX 5W-30*1 (Diesel only) 229.51

229.5 or 229.511 engine oils must be
used in conjunction with fleece oil filter
( page 14) in vehicles with Mercedes-
Benz Maintenance System (as of
MY2005). Using other oil filters may lead
to engine damage which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

kevink2

First, what is the coldest winter temperatures ( no wind chill effects ) that you see ???

Here's the current full list of MB 229.5 approved oils for MB gas engines, including yours.

2012 229.5 MB Approved Oils

What's missing on your list is the 0W-30 synthetic oils shown on the master list.

I agree with Carsy on 5W30, but use Mobil-1 only if it has the 229.5 on the jug, as Mobil1 has non-compliant 5W-30's as well. We've used the approved Castrol 0W-30 oil for most of the 40K miles. As said by Knightmare69, the driver has little time for a formal warm-up. Also noticed a couple mpg's better on trips vs the prior M1 0W-40 used.

.