hi everyone; the dealer told me we use mobil 1 5W-40 synthetic oil; my check oil light came on; they had been filling it up but when i went to buy this oil at kragens, they told me its for diesel engines and infact the label on the bottle states for diesel engines; is this the correct oil? any thoughts appreciated....................

 

There's a special formula that's also 5W-40. I think it's ESP Forumla M or something. If you can't find it in a store your dealer should have some.

This might be it: http://avlube.com/mo1espfom5wc.html

 

Read this, especially the last pages https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...il-thread.html

 

bazi 007, there are two types of Mobile 1 5W-40 oils. One is indeed designed for trucks and diesel, and that is what is available at Retail stores, which of course is not approved for our AMGs. The other one is called ESP Formula M, and was designed exclusively for Mercedes to be approved under MB Sheet 229.51. The obvious questions now is why isn't the ESP Formula M available at retail stores, and since it's not available at stores, where are we (consumers) supposed to get it from? Well, Mobil representatives told me that ESP Formula M is available to all Mercedes dealerships and some wholesale resellers. So basically, Mercedes wants you to only buy it at the dealership . To complicate things further, every dealer seems to be using whatever oil they like. Some are not even using Mobil at all So you're best bet is buying oil directly from one of the wholesalers.

The latest post I read in the AMG lounge regarding oil recommendation for AMGs went something like this:

1) Mobil 5W-40 ---> For all 63 engines.
2) Mobil 5W-50 ---> For SLR-McLaren.
3) Mobil 0W-40 ---> For all remaining AMG vehicles.

 

MB Forever is 100% correct. I am a diesel owner, (ML 320CDI) and Mercedes has instructed to only use the Mobil1 ESP Formula M or the Valvoline equivalent. Both are 229.51 spec, and very difficult to find anywhere other than the dealer. When I called Mobil1, the informed me that the M in Formula M stands for Mercedes, and I would have to buy from them.
Personally I think its a conspiracy, or the greatest marketing scheme ever.

As a work around, I have been buying mine from AV Lube and changing the oil myself. (Very simple with the evacuator tool!) Bottom line, stick with what was designed for the motor. All in all, it's a small inconvenience for the power of your ride!!

 

Wait, wasn't the ESP Formula M for Diesel and not the other way around?

 

thanks for the info; the dealer told me 0-40W is fine also; the one i got that was for diesel engines is the wrong kind; very frustrating but the sound of the monster makes it all go away

 

No...... ESP Formula M is the correct one to use.

 

Mobil 1 0W-40 was the recommended oil for all AMG cars (except SLR), but AMG issued an update in May of 2008 that all 63 models should use Mobil 1 5W-40 ESP Formula M. I personally think both would be fine to use.

 

I agree that either oil will be fine.
I also wrote to AMG in Affalterbach as did fellow member "rantarC63".
I got the same response that he did, 0W-40 for my 2009 C63 AMG:

Dear Mr ____,

Thank you for your inquiry.

We recommend the following oil for your 2009 C63 AMG:

Mobil 1 OW40

Best regards

Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Daimlerstr. 1
71563 Affalterbach

My feelings are these, if you can get the ESP M 5W-40, then use it. If it is not available, then the widely available European Formula 0W-40 should be your next choice. My $0.02

 

What is the e-mail address, I'm going to ask if it's okay to mix those two oils in the engine.

 

Frankly the short answer comes down to this;
If you dont know anything about engine oils or engines, and you are nervous, follow what your owners manual recommends. Whatever keeps you from worrying.
Those that do know about engines and oils are using there own favorite brands and viscosities.
Whats so funny is that back in the mid to late 70's (and even into the 80's) many German car owners were afraid of using what you guys are afraid not to use! Despite the fact that numerous synthetics like Ams/oil, Mobil 1, Motul and others had solidly proven to be far superior lubricants, because MB and BMW in N.America hadn't yet put them on their "approved" lists, people were very reluctant to use them. Many "experts" predicted cetain doom to anyones engine that had Mobil 1 put into it. As an Amsoil dealer we would have many customers in a panic everytime some clueless "expert" or dealer said they would have a myriad of problems, a destroyed engine and a loss of warranty if they used any synthetic, or anything other than what was on the approved list.

In 30 years of using many oil types including many Mercedes and BMW vehicles I have never seen a single problem caused by the oil, or any warranty denial problems while following normal maintenance intervals. Over this time frame I have also seen hundreds of oil analysis results and I'm telling you that none of you under average driving habits in 0 to 100 degree temp environments and normal drain intervals would be able to analytically see any difference in engine wear from using any of the top brand oils, in any of the popular viscosities.

If you want to know more about what is a great oil for your car over the Mobil 1 advertisement in the owners manual, check out; http://www.bobistheoilguy.com
To also actually learn how well the oil is performing and what pace the engine is wearing, you can also start doing oil analysis. This is a good idea for the reason you can usually detect problems long before you may notice them otherwise or before the component fails completely. You can see how well your air filter is working at stopping dirt injestion or if you have a leak allowing dirt into the engine. And you can also see for yourself how poorly and inaccurately the Mercedes FSS system works. LOL

Finally, come on guys, the low oil light is for noobs! Use the dipstick and keep that wonderful expensive engine topped up!

 

I wrote to this e-mail address:

marketing-amg@daimler.com

Granted, it is the marketing dept, but I had the message sent first to another POC in Affalterbach, and she forwarded it to the marketing dept.

 

I agree 100%!

A while back I actually posted an Amsoil use question on the owners forum. Since the European formula is also 5W-40 and the test results & specs are quite similar.

The reaction was less than warm.

It is interesting to note that MB North America runs that forum.

When I took the factory tour, the guide was quite clear that North America makes their own decisions on a number of issues.

I am sure that the financial deal between Mobil-1 and MB North America is lucrative for both parties.

I will use the 0W-40 Mobil-1 until my warrenty expires, then I will probably switch.

 

Just wanted you all to know that Pep Boys is now carrying Mobil1 5W-40 ESP Formula M.

This is recent in the last 2 weeks, San Jose, CA Stevens Creek Blvd

 

I just pull into my dealer (service area) and ask for oil, done, for free!!!

 

 

Sorry to bring up the oil threads again. After reading all of them I thought the Mobil 1 ESP Forumla M 5W40 was the one to use. My light popped up (4th time in 7500km), so I went to the dealer and they insist the 0W40 is the one to use. Then I go to another dealer and they insist that is wrong and 5W40.

Long story short, I bought both. Now which one should I really pour into my engine?

 

I called the dealership about this two days ago.. They told me 5W-40!

 

The issue here is that MB and Mobil 1 are releasing nebulous information, the information they are releasing is accurate, but you have to do some research.

The MB Sheet numbers are the Key.

The c63 is only approved for MB Sheet 229.5 from everything I have read.

Mobil1 0W-40 is MB Sheet 229.5 approved --> 0W-40 Specs

Mobil1 5W-40 ESP Formula M is only MB Sheet 229.51 approved --> 5W-40 specs

To be safe, I would continue to use only oils that are in MB Sheet 229.5 only. I would not use Mobil1 5W-40 ESP Formula M for the C63.

BUT wait there is more:

There is a Mobil 1 Formula M 5W-40 that is MB Sheet 229.5 approved. What's the difference? This 5W-40 is not ESP. This is the oil you want which is not available in retail stores for now. So just use 0W-40 until the non-ESP oil is available in retail stores. My guess is that this is what the dealer has and will sell you for a pretty penny.

To recap:

MB Sheet 229.5 Approved oils (for C63 AMG):
Mobil 1 Formula M 5W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40

MB Sheet 229.51 Approved oils (not for C63 AMG):
Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40
.

 

+1 I came to same conclusion and poured 0W40 in mine.

 

oh crap. neither eh ? back to the dealership I go.

 

Isn't the Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 used for the MB diesel motors?

 

I was browsing the amg website and found something interesting..

 

+1 0-40 ONLY!