medici78

I was wondering what would be a recommended mileage/time to do the oil change on our new ML320 CDI. The dealer is saying to bringi it in whenever the computer says, which can be 10k miles. What would you folks with more diesel experience recommend?

uberwgn

when you're running the correct oil, it's fine to defer to the computer for change intervals.

Green E-300 DT

If it were mine, I'd change the oil out the first time earlier than what the computer says.

Why?

I believe that no matter how foreign matter may get into the engine, the sooner it is removed, the better.
There may be debris left over from the original castings, etc.

To my way of thinking, why not play it safe and get rid of that debris that may be left inside?

Also, during the first 1000 miles, there will be minute metal shavings created during the break-in process.

After you change it that first time, then go with your changes when
the computer says, and continue with the computer schedule.

lkchris

Do it the way Mercedes specifies.

If you think they're wrong, why did you buy a Mercedes?

DUTCH

I always change oil and filter at 1,000 miles, 5,000 miles and every 5,000 miles thereafter. I plan to do the same with my ML320 CDI which will be delivered next week.

My engines have never used oil - even after 100,000+ miles on the clock. If it works, don't fix it!

harkgar

What are the factory specifications for the ML 320 CDi?

Did they say synthetic? If so what grade? Old diesels use 15W40 or higher. I used gravel truck grades, non-synthetic, in my VW TDi. Worked great.

harkgar

Ken,

Oil changes are a cheap insurance policies particularly if non-synthetic grades are OK. If you have a MB diesel regular 5,000 mile oil changes are a must. A lot of car makers recommend lower grade synthetics I think due to fuel economy reasons rather than long term engine protection.

DUTCH

From the MBUSA website for the ML320 CDI:

You can see the oils approved by MB Spec Sheet here:

http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

DUTCH

A perfect example of the error in this argument is the 5-speed auto transmission. "Sealed and no service for life" was MB's stand on this transmission.

Seems that "life" ended just after the warranty expired; and there were quite a few young (in life's terms) transmission failures. They have since changed their stand; and now recommend regular fluid and filter changes.

As someone else has already mentioned, regular oil (and fluid) changes are very inexpensive "life" insurance.

(I take delivery of mine tomorrow (12/18).

khaug

This is a very personal response, but I've decided to change my oil at 6K mile intervals. My decision is loosely based on oil analysis results.

Your Factory Approved Service Products booklet identifies motor oils which meet M-B requirements for your car. The short answer is Mobil 1 0w-40 synthetic, which is readily available here in Lansing, MI. There are other products on the list, but I've never found any of them on local retailer's shelves.

No doubt you'll get responses suggesting Mobil Delvac diesel motor oil. Delvac is NOT on the M-B approved list, and good though it may be, I'd avoid it for that reason. If you choose to use an unapproved oil, you're exposing yourself to possible denial of warranty claims.

Regards,

Wolfgang

MBUSA recommends these two oils for 2007 ML320 CDIs:

Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 (for MY07+ diesel)
Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 (for MY07+ diesel)

uberwgn

The ELF 229.51 oil is now available, too. It's a 5W30.

DUTCH

There are actually quite a few more that are on the approved list for Sheet 229.5, which is the minimum that must be met. Sheet 229.51 oils are also approved.

Wolfgang

MBUSA writes in their list of Factory Approved Service Products:

"As of model year 2007 diesel engines must only use 229.51 approved engine oil."

So far MBUSA put those two 229.51 oils on their recommended list.

Presumably one can also use any of the other 10 or so 229.51 oils like the ELF Solaris LSX 5W-30. And if no 229.51 oil is available substitute a good 229.5 oil, in particular those where the vapor pressure is similarly low, like Mobil1 0-W-40, so the particle filter doesn't get polluted...

DUTCH

Thanks for the correction. It's interesting that on their website MBUSA still shows 229.5 oils with a fleece filter as required to meet warranty.

Does this mean that the other oils shown on your oil page are not acceptable?

Wolfgang

They are acceptable, but not MBUSA recommended so far, maybe because some are too new or only available outside of North America...

DUTCH

With regards to Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 (to become available in the USA on 5/15/06), ExxonMobil says this oil is not available in the USA.

Wolfgang

Might not be generally sold yet as there are no 2007 passenger car diesels sold in the USA besides MBs.

But MB dealers should have it available by now. I've seen some reports where it was used already for oil changes, at P3.

DUTCH

ExxonMobil update is that it's available only at M-B dealers; and will probably be so for the foreseeable future.

Do you think there would be and warranty problems using another oil on the Sheet 229.51 list posted on your MB Oils website?

Wolfgang

229.51 oils should be fine. Might not be easy to find yet...

Just talked to Park Place. They have it only in bulk.

http://porsche.parkplacestores.com/mob1synoil.html

DUTCH

As much as I prefer Redline, they don't have anything approved; but Amsoil does.

In the mean time, I've contacted an MB dealer who sells discount parts to see if I can get a good price on the Mobil 1 stuff from him.

DUTCH

It doesn't appear that the oil on Park Place is the Mobil 1 ESP M 5W-40 (ExxonMobil's product name), as approved on Sheet 229.51. 229.51 oils are specific for the 2007+ diesel engines; and that oil at Park Place doesn't seem to be.

Wolfgang

Park Place has the Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 only available in bulk, that means in a 55 gal drum and not in bottles. Since it is not available in bottles they do not sell it by mailorder like the other listed oils.

The correct name for this oil is Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40. Here is the spec sheet from their info site. (It's not error free...)

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

There is also another Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 229.51 oil which is only available in Germany:

http://www.mobil.com/Germany-German/...mula_5W-30.asp

DUTCH

I found an MBUSA dealer in another state who has it in qt bottles - 6/case. However, he can't/won't ship as it falls in the HazMat category.

Luckily, I drive by that dealership when I travel to that state on business; so I can pick some up on my next trip. The other option was/is Amsoil; but during the initial warranty period I think it's probably prudent to use an oil that is in the MBUSA Maintenance Book.

mercara

I used to own a 99ML320 (Gasoline not diesel). MB didn't recomment synthetic at first but a few engines started were hit with sludge build up after running on conventional oil for the computer recomended 10K + miles on conventional oil. About a year later, I received information from Mercedes in the mail saying that they had changed their policy to use only synthetic oil but that it was okay to go by the computer recomendation for oil change frequencies.

Personally I didnt feel comfortable with the computer numbers and did oil change with Mobil 1 synthetic 0-40 grade every 7500 miles.