MOBIL 1 0W40 VS 5W40
229.51 spec 5w40 mobil is as above mentioned diesel only spec.
For reference Mercedes considers 1 qt per 600 miles as excessive, so you have no worries at all. keep it clean and keep on driving her
229.51 is mb listed as diesel only
229.31 spec is also low ash diesel only spec
If you live in the US and do not drive a diesel, Mobil 1 0W40 is the only oil you should use. There is no other oil that meets specs that is cheaper or better.
If you live outside the US, it is possible that it is either very hard or very expensive to find Mobil 1 0W40. In that case, it may be preferable to use another approved oil, like Fuchs, that may be available cheaper and easier.
- Approved against MB 229.51
- Approved against MB 229.31
My only question is if MB229.51/.31 are backward compatible to MB229.5/.3
Last edited by mi benz; Feb 6, 2011 at 03:53 PM.
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Mb's list of approved oils even lists the .51 as diesel only.
The extra number does not mean it exceeds the specs of the approved oil.It means it is for a different application entirely.
0w40 m1 was just on sale a few weeks ago for 4.99qt
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I was pointing out that the oil also meets the current MB gasoline engines (229.31), so its not really "only for diesel", right?
229.51 is low-ash-oil for Diesels with a DPF (Diesel Particle Filter or Sooth-filter), BlueTec etc.
The low-ash might even be BAD for the regular bearings in our engines!
229.5 Is better than anything that was available when our, now at least 10y/o, engines came out!
My current fill is Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 229.5 spec
Last edited by Lancelot; Sep 30, 2011 at 03:00 PM.
Based on the fact that the above label shows the oil is approved for 229.3, nothing bad would happen to a gasoline engine running this oil.
229.51 is low-ash-oil for Diesels with a DPF (Diesel Particle Filter or Sooth-filter), BlueTec etc.
The low-ash might even be BAD for the regular bearings in our engines!
229.5 Is better than anything that was available when our, now at least 10y/o, engines came out!
My current fill is Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 229.5 spec
True, the ESP Formula M 5w40 should always be used only in diesel cars.
HOWEVER, there is another Formula M 5w40, that is not ESP. Many Mercedes-Benz dealers have this oil, both in barrels and on their shelves in bottles to sell to you. You won't find it at the local parts store though, there you will only find the ESP (diesel) one.
The 0w40 meets more manufactures, and it is richer in additives when you run an analysis on it. If you are going for the 10k-13k oil changes, it might be better. If you don't do so many miles in the year, my oil analysis I send in, shows that the 5w40 Formula M (NOT ESP) gives essentially the same results, even if it is a slightly less robust oil in its additive package.
Nevertheless, I still use the 0w40 for the extra additives in case I do ever go to the full 10k+ miles in a year.
Now, the ESP (diesel) version I also had an analysis ran on for the fun of it. It is MUCH weaker in additives than its gasoline approved counterparts. It would likely work fine for a short time, but after a few thousand miles, the additives would be used up and that wouldn't be so good for the engine to keep using it then.
But still, 0w40 Mobil 1 is the safe bet, and cheap when on sale.
I prefer the Castrol, but it seems that Mobil 1 has more deals/specials.
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also there is a form for a free football
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...l_rebate_A.pdf








