Steve, please see the link below for the lab's description of what TBN means and how to look at it in perspective along with all other parameters measured by the labs.
TBN does not have anything to do with the lubricating properties of the oil.
TBN is the measurement of the Total Base number or the oils capability to neutralize acid that is formed due to fuel combustion byproducts, etc. That's the reason the oil for diesel engines have a higher starting TBN than the gasoline engines as the sulfur in the diesel tends to produce more acids (i.e. 12 for diesel engines and 8 for gasoline). As you have noticed the Amsoil I use for the gasoline engine in my car starts of with a TBN > 12. Most other oil including OEM starts off at <10.
So I would try to investigate first why an engine produced more acid components (i.e. different fuel additives?) before deciding that an oil is worst than another.
As I see it and also 2 other labs the TBN result I had, is just fine, given the even lower amount of wear metals on the Amsoil oil, even after driving 20% longer in miles and time, than I had when using M1 on my initial baseline tests.

See :
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/do_i_need_a_tbn_.html

 

One more parameter that came out of the lab test was the oil viscosity index called:
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100°C, cSt (ASTM D-445)

It was 12.72 for the Amsoil (@ 4300 miles) and 10.27 (@3700 miles) for the M1.

Given that both oils when virgin start of from 14.5. You judge which one changed most and which one could continue protecting the engine better.

 

I received the following information from the friend that supplies me with the Amsoil I use for the engine and transmission:
Quote:


As of January 1, AMSOIL Synthetic 5W-40 European Car Formula Motor Oil (AFL) has been reformulated to meet the VW 505.01, Mercedes-Benz 229.51 and BMW LL-04 specifications.
The reformulated AMSOIL Synthetic 5W-40 European Car Formula Motor Oil (AFL). Offers advanced protection for all major European gasoline and diesel passenger vehicles
Fully formulated for turbo direct injection (TDI) vehicles.
It is recommended for European gasoline and diesel vehicles, including but not limited to, Saab, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Land Rover, Opel, Mini Cooper, BMW, Peugeot and Porsche.</pre> Unquote:

What do you guys think?
It looks like Amsoil is raising the bar again on the other brands. A single oil formulation good for both the gasoline and diesel engines.
The Amsoil fully synthetic APO based, European Engine oil was reformulated so that it meets the MB latest Specs for even diesel engines. Wow..
I will ordering this new formulation around march 06, when I will be doing the yearly engine oil change in my MB cars.

I was able to find the following about the new MB specs:
MB sheet 229.51 approved oils; low ash long life
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with EURO 4 soot particle filters and longer service life than the 229.31 oils. The spec was introduced in 2005. Change intervals increased to 20,000 kilometers.(about 12500 miles)
They listed only 2 european made oil brands as meeting these specs. So It looks like Amsoil should be soon listed there too, with no other brand available in the US listed.
Source: http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html
The previous specs 229.31 were good up to 15000 Km . (about 9500 miles)

So there you go, it seems that there is now an alternative for the new and old Diesel engine MB passenger cars in the US besides truck oil.

 

TURN THE IGNITION ON,BRING UP THE FSS DISPLAY BY USING THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEN YOU GET THE SERVICE REMINDER PRESS THE RESET BUTTON ON THE ODOMETER FOR 3 SECONDS...THAT WILL DO IT.

 

I CHANGED THE OIL ON MY 2004 CLK 320 USING 8.5 QUARTS(as per owner's manual),THE FSS INDICATES "TOO MUCH OIL" has anybody had this experience,I might be a few ounces over but not more???

 

8.5 qts sound sway too much, at least 1 qt over.

 

Both my '00 E320 and '03 E320 call for 8 1/2 quarts. Neither of them have had that problem when I replaced the oil with 8 1/2 quarts.

 

8.5 qt is the full capacity if oil filter is replaced and also if the draining is done completely.
Did you syphon the oil out or drain through the drain plug? In either case it looks like some oil may have remained.
Do you have a dip stick to check the oil level or did it come without a dip stick?

The FSS is usually accurate. You may want to try syphoning out 1/2 to 1 full qtr and then use the FSS to check again.

Another option would be to buy a dip stick at the dealer, if available there.

Isn't this car still eligible for the free oil changes? are you doing the change in between the FSS intervals at 6 month intervals?
The free oil change, if in effect, should be performed by the dealer at a period not longer than 1 year, even if you only drove 2000 miles in that period. Don't keep the same oil in the engine, no matter what brand used, for more than 1 year as most protective qualities will be depleted.

 

So - um, what oil should I put in my 1997 E420?
anything other than AMSOIL - lol.
but seriously - 0w40?

 

Ask your dealer for a list of recommended oil brands and grades.

 

Hi Folks , I am back with new oil change results.
My daughters C230 went thru 7500 miles with the same oil (Amsoil European 5W40) for 14 months.
For those that are always concerned about going for about 1 year with no oil changes, this result obtained may help alleviate your concerns, as long as of course you use real synthetic oil that meets MB stringent specification 229.51 (not many brands in the US at the moment).
The oil filter of course needs to be changed at 6 months intervals if of paper element type or 12months if felt type. The FSS engine oil change counter was still showing 2500 miles left, but I wanted to have an update on wear metals and I am happy that it looked still very good, and the oil could have been used further,s recommended by the lab.
In any event I went ahead and replaced the oil and filter for that car.

Without much ado, following are the results obtained to date on this car including the most recent one. Latest readings are on the top. The top 2 readings are for the same Amsoil fill measured at 2 different intervals (4360/7500 miles at 8/14 month points respectively) and the bottom is for the other previously used brand, commonly used as standard, (measured at 3700 miles after 6 months).

<table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#000066" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="750"> <tbody><tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" valign="top">Company:


MD 20852 </td><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 10px;">Comp. Descr.: C230K 2.3L ENGINE</td><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 10px;">Fuel Type: Gasoline</td><td rowspan="3" style="border-left: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 10px;">2206 WINTER STREET
SUPERIOR, WI 54880


</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Make: MERCEDES BENZ</td><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Oil Brand: AMSOIL</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Model: </td><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Oil Type: </td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">Customer No: </td><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Equip. Make: </td><td style="border: 0pt none ; font-size: 11px;">Fluid Grade: 5W40</td><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-left: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">End User: </td></tr><tr><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">Unit No: 7709xx</td><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">Equip. Model: </td><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">Ser.No: 7709xx 1999 </td><td style="border-top: 0pt none; border-left: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;">End Loc: </td></tr></tbody> </table> <table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#000066" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="750"> <tbody><tr><th colspan="23" style="font-size: 11px;">SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS (ppm)</th></tr><tr align="center" valign="bottom"><th style="font-size: 11px;">Lab No
Condition</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Date
Taken
Tested</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Time on Oil
Time on Unit</th><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">101869
Normal</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">07-MAY-06
12-MAY-06</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 7500
7500</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">12
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">9
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">3
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">6
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">18
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">26
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">3214
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1165
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1450
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">17
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">271074
Normal</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">27-NOV-05
02-DEC-05</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 4360
4360</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">10
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">5
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">3
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">4
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">18
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">20
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">2929
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1189
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1286
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">15
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">66977
Normal</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">14-MAR-05
23-MAR-05</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 3700
3700</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">11
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">6
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">3
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">5
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">135
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">6
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">26
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">2441
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">914
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">1125
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">80
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0</td></tr></tbody> </table>
numbers above are in parts per million, so an increase from 5 to 9 ppm in copper is still quiet good considering the oil life used.

<table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#000066" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="750"> <tbody><tr><th rowspan="2" valign="bottom">Lab No</th><th colspan="6">Physical Properties</th><th colspan="4">Additional Tests</th></tr><tr><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fuel</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visc40</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visc100</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Water</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Soot/
Solids</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coolant</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</th><th style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">TBN</th></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">10
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"><1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 14.34
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">NO
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">3.90
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">27 </td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"><1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 12.72
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">NEG
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">5.59
</td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center" bgcolor="White">66
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"><1
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center"> 10.27
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">0
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">N/A
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">NEG
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">
</td><td style="border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none; font-size: 11px;" align="center">8.72
</td></tr></tbody> </table> <table align="center" border="1" bordercolor="#000066" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="750"> <tbody><tr><th style="font-size: 11px;">Lab No</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Brand</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Grade</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Product</th><th style="font-size: 11px;">Analysis Recommendations</th></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none;" align="center" bgcolor="White">10</td><td style="font-size: 10px;">AMSOIL </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">5W40 </td><td style="font-size: 10px;"> </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none;" align="center" bgcolor="White">27</td><td style="font-size: 10px;">AMSOIL </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">5W40 </td><td style="font-size: 10px;"> </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left: 0pt none; border-right: 0pt none; border-bottom: 0pt none;" align="center" bgcolor="White">66</td><td style="font-size: 10px;">M </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">0W40 </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">1 </td><td style="font-size: 10px;">NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL </td></tr></tbody> </table>
So here you have it. The wear metals are virtually unchanged given the mileage and time driven with the same oil.
The TBN (total Base Number) was down to 3.9 down from about 10 when new, which is still well above the normally acceptable 2.0 level as the point where the oil oxidation protection additives are about to stop protecting the engine parts against oxidation.

This is the only online report I have seen of synthetic oil tests done on a real MB engine driven mostly in a metropolitan city driving by a regular driver, albeit on a small MB engine (2.3L) with a smaller sump oil capacity size (6.5p) instead of the 8.5p of most other MB engines. It probably shows a bit more aging than the equivalen tests on an E or S class engine.
Stay tuned as my wives E320 oil has just been syphoned out by myself on sunday and a sample collected for analyzes. The oil was in her car for 15 months, so that should be a good reference to have. The FSS indicated oil life was still showing 6000 miles to next change, but that was enough for me for now. Until I can get the newest nano element oil filters Amsoil has come up with available for the MB cars I will stick with change intervals of 6 months for the paper element filters , as they are the type most of us can find at car part stores or even online.

So that is it, a new report on this journey to debunk the myth about oil life and period of change old thinking, wasting peoples $$/time$$$ and increasing the oil import demands and polution.
Constructive comments are appreciated. Other ones will be understood.
Have a great week.

p.s. as it would happen with any oil, the viscosity increased as the oil life in the engine increased (i.e some of t evaporates). Changing to a new fresh oil refill of the same oil and adding a new filter of course improved the mileage slightly, due to lower starting viscosity of anew oil batch.

 

Here are the results of the oil analysis on my 1999 E320 after using the same oil for 15 months. Filter only (paper element) was changed at 8 months point. Lab tests recommended continuing to use the same oil, but I went ahead and replaced it with the new Amsoil European formulation that meets the new more stringent MB specs for the FSS oil change long cycles.

Enjoy

<TABLE borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=750 align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" vAlign=top rowSpan=3>Company:


</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Comp. Desc: E320 3.2L ENGINE</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Fuel Type: Gasoline</TD><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" rowSpan=3>2206 WINTER STREET
SUPERIOR, WI 54880
(715)395-0222
FAX (715)392-3097
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Make: MERCEDES BENZ</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Oil Brand: AMSOIL</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Model: </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Oil Type: </TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Customer No: xxxxxx</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Equip. Make: </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">Fluid Grade: 5W40</TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">End User: </TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px">Unit ID: 89xxxx</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px">Equip. Model: </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px">Ser. No: 89xxxx 1999 </TD><TD style="BORDER-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px">End Loc: </B></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=750 align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px" colSpan=23>SPECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS (ppm)</TH></TR><TR vAlign=bottom align=middle><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Lab No
Condition
</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Date
Taken
Tested
</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Time on Oil
Time on Unit
</TH><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>134880
Normal
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>19-JUN-06
23-JUN-06
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>5240
63590
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>6

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>3

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>21

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>6

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>8

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>17

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>195

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>3055

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1154

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1431

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>66978
Normal
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>19-MAR-05
23-MAR-05
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1500
1500
</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>5

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>6

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>4

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>10

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>86

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>3

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>645

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>2222

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1173

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>1272

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>10

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD></TR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=750 align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TH vAlign=bottom rowSpan=2>Lab No</TH><TH colSpan=6>Physical Properties</TH><TH colSpan=4>Additional Tests</TH></TR><TR><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Fuel</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Visc40</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Visc100</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Water</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Soot/
Solids
</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Coolant</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">CHANGE</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"></TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"></TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">TBN</TH></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>134880

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle><1

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>N/A

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>13.43

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>N/A

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>NO

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>4.27

</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>66978

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle><1

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>N/A

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>10.20

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>0

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>N/A

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>NEG

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>

</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle>11.80

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE borderColor=#000066 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=750 align=center border=1><TBODY><TR><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Lab No</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Brand</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Grade</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Product</TH><TH style="FONT-SIZE: 11px">Analysis Recommendations</TH></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>134880</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">AMSOIL </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">5W40 </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL </TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" align=middle bgColor=white>66978</TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">OEM </TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px"></TD><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 10px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px">NO CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED, OIL IS SUITABLE FOR CONTINUED USE. RESAMPLE AT NEXT REGULAR INTERVAL </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TABLE>

<CENTER>Since services are based on samples and information supplied by others, and since corrective action, if any, is necessarily taken by others, these services
are rendered without any warranty or liability of any kind beyond the actual amount paid to Staveley Services North America for the services.</CENTER>

 

Can I Used Mobile 1 Full Syn 5 W30 Oil On My 1999 E320 Benz With 98,000 Miles?

 

I don't care if they use Amsoil in the Space Shuttle....I HATE the way they sell it. It just seems like a big MLM Scheme to me. If Amsoil is soooo damn good, I think every automotive company in the world would use it. I am SURE manufactures would love thier engines to run 20,000,000 miles if this oil alone can make an engine so great. It may be good oil..who knows, seems to me Amsoil always has thier hands in all the tests.

 

mobil 1 0w40 wt synthetic.
with 98000 miles.
ohlord

 

Ditto on Mobil 1 European Formula.

I just finished reading this thread from 2005. These guys are throwing around analytical data on their oil without running tests on a blank.

 

I own 2 MB 2003 E320+2004 CLK 320,the manual quotes 8 quarts oil capcity,whne I used 8 quarts the computer showe OVRFULL,I now use 7 quarts and the compter says OIL LEVEL OK??
Anybody else had this experience,I am considering buying a DIPSTICK...
Fred

 

always have a bit left in the engine no matter how much you try to get it all out.Drain and fill according to the procedure in the manual.

 

I've read thousands of posts in hundreds of boards on oil change viscosity, frequency, brand, synthetic vs dino, crappy filters, supposed oil filter studies, oil analysis, additives, etc. We read them searching for oil change nirvana although engine failure due to lubrication issues is actually quite rare.

Anyway the single most consistent thing I've learned is:

Post > 100 words = Amsoil rant