Untertürkheim

How/why would they reccomend a 229.51 oil for a gasoline engine. The low SAPS formulation has less anti-wear additives and is not appoved for use in engines except diesel engines with DPF.

Is this a different formilation of M1 5w-40?

Untertürkheim

I have just solved the mystery!

The 5w-40 information is true for people OUTSIDE OF THE US.

Mobil does make a high-performance 5w-40 oil, but it is very different from the one sold in the US (ESP formula M), which is a low-SAPS formulation NOT for these engines. The rest of the world gets a 5w-40 formula that has a higher shear stregnth, and more phosphorus, and is slightly more viscious, which makes sense.

Again, if you are in the US, use a 229.5 oil that is -40 weight: M1 0w-40, Valvoline Synpower 5w-40 HST, or Liquimoly Synthoil High Tech 5w-40

NORTH 44 C63

Can you be more specific about your source of information.

All info regarding the 5W-40 M1 came from Eric Linder and Rob Allan at the AMG division of MB USA and confirmed with Axel Unger at the AMG Performance Studio in Affalterbach, Germany. It was a Global Technical Service Bulletin dated May 2008

Thanks for your time.

RM-6302

Untertürkheim

My source is Mobil regarding the oil, and MB regarding the specification.

Rest of world: http://www.mobil.com/Germany-English...bil1_5W-40.asp
Notice the porsche approval, sulfated ash, phosphorous, and viscosity.

US: http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...la_M_5W-40.asp

NORTH 44 C63

Thanks for taking the time to do the research. This is invaluable. I for one appreciate it!!!

Thanks again

Jons95c36amg

Just go by what it says in the serv manual. 0-40 is good for cold climates. 5-40w is good in all temps. I use 10-30w Castrol syntec because it never gets below 0 F.

whoover

It's your car so you do what you want, but 10W30 is too thin at operating temperature, and is the last thing I'd want if the ambient temperature is high. The first number is cold viscosity, and 10-weight is probably all right as long as things never get cold (although it's quite a bit thicker [less lubricating] than the 0W or 5W that the engineers have specified). But the engine is designed for an oil that doesn't thin beyond 40-weight when hot. By running a thinner oil you could be asking for trouble, especially in the heat.

Untertürkheim

Why not use an approved oil for your engine, the 10w-30 is not MB approved for anything.

Untertürkheim

You are quite welcome! I have gone through the low SAPS debacle with several people over at MB, and have made noise at my dealer over the usage of those oils the improper applications.

Personally, I use Valvoline Synpower 5w-40 HST for the slightly higher warm viscosity (@ 100C) and higher sulfated ash compared to M1 0w-40, while still being 229.5 rated.

I would imagine this may be the best choice for people in North America / US, being IMO, the better of the two 229.5 AMG-approved oils.

RM-6302

What about this brand? Is it ok for my C63 AMG?

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/afl.aspx

It sure looks like it meets all the proper MB standards. 229.51 among others.

Untertürkheim

No, it is not 229.5. the .x1 standard is ONLY for diesel cars with particle filters.

Read above, this was discussed in this thread.

Jons95c36amg

The serv manual says 10-40,10-30w could be used if the temp doesnt go -10 F.

Untertürkheim

I think you have it backwards, higher number/heavier oils are needed for higher temperatures.

Also, MB reccomends using 229.5 oils for all cars, regardless of year or FSS.

Jons95c36amg

Thinner oil (5-40,5-30w) is needed when temps get really cold so it doesnt get too thick when started up. Once it gets to norm temps it doesnt matter. The most wear starts on a cold engine.

Untertürkheim

You are forgetting that AMG engines are not designed to use a -30 weight in any temperature.

In any case, like MB says (and I said before), you should be using a 229.5 and AMG approved oil.

blownS

Great info in here.

BTW, I just got a "Check engine oil at next refueling" message. I'm at @ 2500 miles right now. Is this typical?

e1000

Your oil level is low

MercedesBW1

All MB including AMG use 0w40 Euro Performance Blend, except for the CDI/Bluetec, which uses the 5w30 ESP

Untertürkheim

The Bluetec models are the only ones that use 229.51 oil, the CDI models still use the 229.5.

MercedesBW1

They all (anything diesel..cdi or bluetec, since they are the same, just different emissions) use the ESP 5w30.....this is a fact....

Untertürkheim

No, it is not. Please read higher up in this thread. 229.51 is only intended for cars with DPF, the rest use 229.5

Even so, MB uses M1 ESP Formula M 5w-40 that meets 229.51 for DPF cars.

rarfinancial

Speaking of oil, WHERE DO I PUT IT IN

RM-6302

Right front of engine as you look at it from the front of the car. There is a black oil fill cap. You'll need a wrench or socket to open it. It's tight. I can't remember the size, but I'm sure someone else knows.

ShanSL350

Has anyone managed to get to the bottom of this yet?

When i collected my car i was given a small 2.5ltr Mobil 1 0-40w container of oil and told that its not uncommon for the cars to need a top up during or just after the run in period.

I have checked with the local dealer and the service department and they told me 0-40w is the recommend viscosity.

I am UK based so just wondered if anyone has heard any differently?