Engine oil debate
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 562
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
Engine oil debate
I've been looking into information on engine oil for our cars and came across this. https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...ets-sort1.html
I sent them an email because Amsoil is my favorite oil( been using on my cars for years and love it) and want to see if MB approves it's use. Just thought it may be interesting and maybe useful for people even though I've seen this discussed multiple times!
I sent them an email because Amsoil is my favorite oil( been using on my cars for years and love it) and want to see if MB approves it's use. Just thought it may be interesting and maybe useful for people even though I've seen this discussed multiple times!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,375
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From: Hong Kong
2010 C200 CGI
I've been looking into information on engine oil for our cars and came across this. https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevol...ets-sort1.html
I sent them an email because Amsoil is my favorite oil( been using on my cars for years and love it) and want to see if MB approves it's use. Just thought it may be interesting and maybe useful for people even though I've seen this discussed multiple times!
I sent them an email because Amsoil is my favorite oil( been using on my cars for years and love it) and want to see if MB approves it's use. Just thought it may be interesting and maybe useful for people even though I've seen this discussed multiple times!
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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2008 C300
I can tell you for a fact that with proper oil change intervals almost any oil even if not MB approved oil will be fine. I say this because I ran BMW oil in my Benz for over a year, changing every 4000km and having my oil independently tested at a lab with great results. All my reports came back positive with no issues.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
Amsoil does meet their specs but I want to make sure. The stuff at Walmart and other chain places don't meet mb specs if I read their data sheet correctly. Euro motors take diff oil then regular synthetic oils. This is why I emailed mb asking this, and also if they make dealers use proper oils.
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
An example is an experience I had with Mobil 1 on one of my cars. My engine burned it and smoked. That was the first and last time I used Mobil. Went back to Amsoil and didn't burn a drop.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Hong Kong
2010 C200 CGI
I change it that often because I drive like an ******* and it really doesn't cost that much to change since I do it myself. Cheaper to change the oil more frequently than replacing any engine parts.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Are you more experienced & educated in this field than the engineers of MB & the oil companies?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Hong Kong
2010 C200 CGI
Well since we're talking about credentials, do you have any to disprove what I said?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Congratulations on changing the oil yourself more regularly than suggested & monitoring its condition . You must be a practical man.
Car manufacturers go to great lengths & expense to ensure the best possible & most suitable oils are used in their vehicles. Common-sense should tell consumers to follow their recommendations.
This also goes for recommended coolants . I just had to change my thermostat & was amazed that the condition of the internals of the alloy head. There was no discolouration or staining at all. Just very bright aluminium after 9 years with the same coolant. The coolant ( blue) was also crystal clear & clean . Recommended coolant change at 15 years or 250,000km.
Car manufacturers go to great lengths & expense to ensure the best possible & most suitable oils are used in their vehicles. Common-sense should tell consumers to follow their recommendations.
This also goes for recommended coolants . I just had to change my thermostat & was amazed that the condition of the internals of the alloy head. There was no discolouration or staining at all. Just very bright aluminium after 9 years with the same coolant. The coolant ( blue) was also crystal clear & clean . Recommended coolant change at 15 years or 250,000km.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
No I am not and never claimed to be. What I did say is that I change my oil religiously and have every oil change sent out to a well established lab for independent testing and all my results have come back positive. I have been on this routine for well over 60k km hard driving.
Well since we're talking about credentials, do you have any to disprove what I said?
Well since we're talking about credentials, do you have any to disprove what I said?
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes w204 4matic sport
Here is what I received;
Thank you for your e-mail to our colleagues in Stuttgart, Germany. They forwarded it to Mercedes-Benz USA for response.
I have provided the approved oil brands below:
76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile 1 Formula M SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 New life 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile SHC Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile Super 3000 Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile SHC Formula MB 5W-30 SAE 5W-30
National Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q Horsepower Full Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q European Engine Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 SAE 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower HST SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Castrol Edge Professional SAE 0W-40
The opportunity to respond is appreciated.
Thank you for your e-mail to our colleagues in Stuttgart, Germany. They forwarded it to Mercedes-Benz USA for response.
I have provided the approved oil brands below:
76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile 1 Formula M SAE 5W-40
Mobile 1 New life 0W-40 SAE 0W-40
Mobile SHC Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile Super 3000 Formula MB SAE 5W-30
Mobile SHC Formula MB 5W-30 SAE 5W-30
National Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q Horsepower Full Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Q European Engine Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 SAE 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower HST SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Castrol Edge Professional SAE 0W-40
The opportunity to respond is appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,375
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From: Hong Kong
2010 C200 CGI
You did say "I can tell you for a FACT that with proper oil change intervals ALMOST ANY OIL even if not MB approved oil will be fine. That would only be a fact if you tried "almost any oil". It sounded like your statement was based on the use of some BMW oil only. I don't know if 60K miles of hard driving is enough proof. I guess what I am saying is if you speak in absolutes like that you open yourself up to someone second guessing you.
As for manufacturer/dealer recommendations through their R&D, well the same people were also saying lifetime transmission fluid so it's up to each individual to make their own decisions. Of course the manufacturer puts lots into R&D but let's also not forget that at the end of the day, they're still a business so protecting their bottom line comes into play when certain recommendations are made.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
2013 C350 Coupe, 2005 C230K Kleemann Sedan, 2013 GLK350 4matic
Amsoil does meet their specs but I want to make sure. The stuff at Walmart and other chain places don't meet mb specs if I read their data sheet correctly. Euro motors take diff oil then regular synthetic oils. This is why I emailed mb asking this, and also if they make dealers use proper oils.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
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From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
When my car ran out of gurantee at 6 years, I had the Engine oil, gearbox oil, and radiator fluid analised and all turned up ok.
I once spoke to a mining engineer which I met during phototaking. He said they did the experiments and came to the conclusion to change between 5-7K kiliometers after 7K it starts to degrade.
I now change at MAX 5K and engine stays clean inside. I change with 29.5 spec and the Oil Mercedes supply themselves at every dealership, and its not that expensive either.
Hopefully it last longer.
If you lease or replace car every 3 years, you of course dont bother about oil.
I once spoke to a mining engineer which I met during phototaking. He said they did the experiments and came to the conclusion to change between 5-7K kiliometers after 7K it starts to degrade.
I now change at MAX 5K and engine stays clean inside. I change with 29.5 spec and the Oil Mercedes supply themselves at every dealership, and its not that expensive either.
Hopefully it last longer.
If you lease or replace car every 3 years, you of course dont bother about oil.
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 27
From: Australia, Melbourne
E200, C250 CGI
Hmm.
I'm not entirely too sure what Official Mercedes Service centers use in Australia but once I serviced the car, the car would very faintly shudder when on idle during start up. We thought it was the spark plugs having too much carbon build on it but that didn't fix the problem. On the next service, I serviced the car my self and this time, I've used Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 which is approved MB 229.5/226.5 API SN/CF rating.
This oil immediately stopped the shudder once replaced. So probably the dealer service guys are using a too thin oil. But, I would recommend this one. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. This one runs smooth and I can't fault it.
I'm not entirely too sure what Official Mercedes Service centers use in Australia but once I serviced the car, the car would very faintly shudder when on idle during start up. We thought it was the spark plugs having too much carbon build on it but that didn't fix the problem. On the next service, I serviced the car my self and this time, I've used Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 which is approved MB 229.5/226.5 API SN/CF rating.
This oil immediately stopped the shudder once replaced. So probably the dealer service guys are using a too thin oil. But, I would recommend this one. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. This one runs smooth and I can't fault it.
