bushburninc63

I did my search on engine oil and found out that this engine requires 0w-40 or some special 5w-40. The 5w-40 sold at stores (in the US) are not the same 5w-40 the dealer use. And there is a tsb as of may 08 that they started using the 5w-40 from the 0w-40. So if I use 0w-40, there shouldn't be a problem correct? BTW, i'm asking this because my engine oil light just came on.

Musikmann

The special 5W40 you mentioned is either Mobil1 ESP Formula M (now reserved only for CDI diesels per MB) or plain Formula M. My dealer still has this Formula M in their bulk tank and that is in my car now. However another dealer I spoke with has gone back to the 0W40 and claims to use it in all the modern gassers. I have never seen anything in writing from MB but there are several threads claiming that 0W40 is what we should use now.

As you noted, US auto parts places carry a Mobil1 5W40 that is specifically for diesels (says Truck Diesel or similar plainly on the label) and it is not the same thing. If you need some of the "proper" 5W40 you can buy it from AVLubricants in Ohio. Since my car uses oil, I bought a case of 6 recently. BTW, you need to call them because it does not appear on their website.

bushburninc63

Thanks, further research netted this

http://avlube.com/mo1espfom5wc.html

Ran my car hard Saturday and the engine oil light popped up.

Ordered a case.

EROD

Why all the confusion regarding what oil we should or shouldn't use? I had one dealer service mine with 0W-40. 2 weeks ago, I stopped by another dealer to purchase oil/filter for an in-between scheduled service DYI oil change and that dealer was using 5W-40 ESP M and claimed MB had issued some bulleting regarding the change. Now this member claims ESP M is ONLY for diesel engines and that MB has gone back to 0W-40.The ESP M bottle does say for gas AND diesel engines engines and meets the specification requirements on the operator's manual. Can someone with verifiable proof, i.e a MB technical bulletin or similar, please confirm what oil MB is recommending for the the "6.3" engine nowadays? I've called 3 different dealers in TX. 1 is still using 0W-40. Another one 5W-40 ESP M, and another one had never serviced a 6.3 engine so wouldn't recommend me anything over the phone. Is there any reasoning MB keeps changing their mind on what the right oil is and why dealers can't seem be on the same page (besides having a stock of one particular oil they don't want to "waste")? Are people blowing engines out there by using a certain type over another?

bushburninc63

the latest TSB (may 08) states that these "6.3" engines should be using 5w-40 ESP Formula M. They use to put in 0w-40.

dumpsta

My Light popped up last night as well. This morning the dealer topped up with 1.5L of 5W40 (said it was new spec). I am in located in Canada.

I called around to other dealerships they say they use 0W40 and never heard of the 'new spec.' lol who knows??

bushburninc63

did they top it off for free?

Musikmann

You're welcome, but did you order the Mobil1 5W40 ESP Formula M or the Mobil1 5W40 Formula M? The ESP is all I saw on your link. I had to call them to get the plain Formula M which is what my dealer is still using.

BTW I emailed MBUSA about this ESP vs. non-ESP issue. They wrote back to say they called my dealer's service manager and he said I have non-ESP 5W40 in my car, and confirmed the ESP is for diesels only. DOH, in the meantime I have added 3 make-up quarts of ESP!

I'm only 800 miles from the next change so I'm letting it ride for now. I guess 3 quarts in a 10 quart system isn't going to ruin my engine.

To EROD: I totally agree that all of this is a P.I.T.A. Dealers are not all on the same page, and you're right, the ESP oil I have remaining says safe for gasoline and diesel engines. I also agree with your other point that dealers have a bunch of this left over and are too cheap to throw it out.

Lastly, and I have yet to see a DTB to confirm this, supposedly the ESP formula has a negative reaction with ethanol-containing gasoline and that's why MB changed it's mind again.

Musikmann

Dear Musikmann:

Thank you for your internet inquiry.

Upon receipt we contacted your dealer and requested they check the work
order for your last service to advise us of the motor oil used in the
vehicle. Service Manager, [name witheld] advised us that they have used Formula M 5W40 which is acceptable according to our directions and the vehicle specifications. They are not using the ESP Formula M which is for diesel engines.

We hope this information is helpful and appreciate checking this for you.

Sincerely,

Carol C.
Mercedes-Benz USA

JonMBZ

The problem is no one knows what's going on MBUSA needs to stop contacting the dealers and start contacting DCAG the information dealers receive is different than what AMG is telling customers in the private lounge. You want the bulletins? Here they are but they contradict themselves. Either way I don't think it will make a big difference, but ESP formula M works in gasoline vehicles as well. Doesn't seem like the dealer even read the announcement. MBUSA says to get rid of the 0w40 but AMG says to use it....

220S

I've had a lot of misinformation come from MBUSA in the past.

ESP is not diesel specific. Interestingly enough, ESP 5W-40 is what Mobil says Mercedes says you should use in this car.

c32AMG-DTM

Who is DCAG?

220S

ps, Mobil and MB have an agreement. That agreement is more about profitability and not so much what's ideal for your engine.

Your motor will not blow up nor with you lose your warranty if you use an equivalent quality product.

My understanding is the break-in oil from the factory is not Mobil. It's Fuchs.
edit: It's M1 in all AMG Mercedes and SLRs. It's Fuchs in all the other models.

JonMBZ

Corporate in Germany

220S

It was DCAG. Now it's just Daimler AG.

dumpsta

yes. they told me to come back whenever the light comes back on.

MUZZIE

Yep, same here in Aus.

bushburninc63

So ESP M formula is acceptable or not? In the meantime I got a case of 6 coming :o

Musikmann

Seems to be but now I have a mixture and I'm not too happy about that.

Musikmann

Thanks!

bushburninc63

didn't know there was an ESP and non ESP formulation until now. :o So where can we get a definitive answer on all of this? I was going to pour a quart when the oil came in, but looks like i'll just go to the dealership and have them top it off if they have the non ESP formulation.

220S

You'll be fine. Don't worry. Mixing some ESP with non-ESP isn't going to kill your motor or hurt it over time. ESP is Mobil's marketing name for "extended performance" since mfgs are doing this longer oil change interval.

If you want the spec sheet you can download the pdf here: http://www.hkoil.net/product-detail/...a-M-5W-40.html

btw, Mercedes only "recommends" Mobil. Primarily because Mobil has a profitable agreement with them. Any high quality 229.50/51 oil will do the job. ESP, non-ESP, whatever.

bushburninc63

What is the difference between the ESP vs. Non-ESP? Different additives?

220S

One label says "expertly engineered" and other says just "engineered."

It's all proprietary and you'd have to have ESP to really know.

But it's perfectly fine for your application. In fact, it's what Mobil says Mercedes says you should use. And every time that's said, then cha-ching $$ for Mobil. You know, like the paying links on a website.

edit: Mobil says the primary difference is it has reduced ash content for particulate management in diesel motors.

Musikmann

Thanks for the reassurance 220S. Not to mention that I have a engine nowhere near your guys 6.3s. But it's all I have so I'm naturally concerned about it.

As to your 2nd point, I would be O.K. with any other 229.5 for that matter (older car obviously). I also don't care for MB/Mobil marketing agreement. Heck, Exxon/Mobil is not even a Top Tier gasoline and those are all I will use.