PartyVan

I know our E class use MB1 0w-40 but I seem to remember that Mercedes stated using a different grade oil for the newer engines and they said it is ok to switch to it. The reason I asked is because walmart has MB1 for sale at $26 bucks in a 5 quart jug and they have every oil grade except for 0w-40, they do however have 0w-30 that has a green label on it and advertised as more efficient and friction with the same protection. Anybody know if it is ok to use 0w-30 instead of 40 weight?

konigstiger

https://mbworld.org/forums/3025494-post80.html

CLEK500

yup, it's ok to switch. it actually feels better too

MBNUT1

Where do you get that? It's not on the approved list.

stickygreen

If you live where it gets cold in the winter, stick with either M1 0w40 or Castrol Syntec 0w30. The only other mainstream synthetic I would use (though not approved by MB) is the M1 5w40 "turbo diesel truck". Wal-Mart does not carry anything in 5qt jugs that is suitable for your Mercedes.

Mobil 1 5w40 ESP Formula M is the new oil that MB is using (229.51 spec), but they no longer recommend it for gas engines due to the amount of ethanol in US gas that somehow reacts with the new ESP oil. I do use it in both our diesels (GL bluetec & E cdi) and it works very well on any diesel car. Also, it can only be purchased from an MB dealership or a couple places online.

lkchris

Do not use ANY oil not approved by MB.

"Turbo diesel truck" must be the most over-hyped stuff ever--must be the "macho" factor in its name and some sort of misconception that those boat anchors found in 'merikun pickups are something sophisticated. Fools a lot of the still-wet-behind-the-ears VW diesel owners for sure.

NCE500

I would only use an oil that meets MB 229.5 or MB 229.51 spec.

The only Mobil 1 oil commercially available that meets the spec is the 0W-40.

From my experience, Castrol Syntec oils only meet MB229.3 spec, which is not o.k. for W211.

I would stick with Mobil 1 0W-40, it works very well.

stickygreen

Syntec 0w30 meets 229.5 and is a thick 30wt. 0w40 is a thin 40wt that tends to shear into a thick 30wt. Both are excellent oils and meet 229.5

5w40 TDT is said to be as good or better than 0w40 for warm climates because a) it is meant to withstand the temperatures of high-comp, heavily boosted engines, and b) has more additives to deal with contamination such as fuel dilution. But definitely no reason to use instead of 229.5 oils unless you have a modified car that gets the **** driven out of it.

I would use the 5w40 TDT in my old BMW any day over the 0w40. But you're right about the OP's e500...stick with 229.5

ohlord

does it meet Mb spec?
Most frequently avail is 0w40.If the 0w30 meets mb spec for your year fine.
30 wt is 30 wt and 40 wt is 40 wt. there is no thinner 40w and thicker 30wts.
And don't use a 30 wt in an amg engined car.
Napa has 0w40 and if you join the mobil1 web club you get rebates for 10 bucks off 5qts 2 coupons per member household.
Plus napa has 1 buck off coupons at times so stock up.

stickygreen

Ohlord, I tend to agree with you, but you are wrong on this one. Take a look at various product data sheets online and you'll see what I mean. 0w40 is one of the thinner synthetic 40wts out there, and Castrol Syntec 0w30 (aka German Castrol) is one of the thicker 30wt oils...it's actually thicker than their 5w30 and 10w30.

I'll re-iterate...the most readily available 229.5 spec oils in the US are Mobil 1 0w40 and Castrol Syntec 0w30. Mobil 1 0w30 does not meet 229.5...

ohlord

Sets tests for all oils for specs as determined by the viscosity rate through a set diameter hole at low for example Ow at cold start and at operating temp I.E 40 wt at 180f.
A 40 wt oil rating will not flow through the hole till it is at that viscosity.Spec sheets are splitting hairs in that range,thus No 30wts approved in AMG tolerance engines.If there was a spec oil of 0w30 wt that was thicker,it would make it onto the approved list for amg usage.But if it was that thick it would be a 40 wt
Just join m1 and get the rebates and use 0w40

gaiex

Whats the difference between 0w30 and 0w40? or 5w30 and 5w40?

When I start to use 0w30 I start to hear clicking noises inside of the engine, like valves ticking or chain noise, but only when the engine is hot!
Went back to 5w30 and same noise for 60k km!

Its better to use 5w40 or other thicker oil at higher temps?

I'm a bit confused!

lkchris

There's no use arguing viscosity.

The operative specification is MB 229.5 or MB 229.51.

The oil MUST meet those specifications.

Viscosity is irrelevant.

You're not going to get any better cold start performance than 0W and the Mercedes cooling system is quite fine as regards heat dissipation so the difference between 30W and 40W means little.

Arguing viscosity is so 1970s. Or is it 1950s and your father's Oldsmobile?

The operative specification is MB 229.5 or MB 229.51.

Period.

There are BTW in the USA only TWO Mobil 1 oils that meet the specs. 0W-40 European Formula (229.5) and 5W-40 ESP Formula M (229.51). You only really need ESP oil if you have a diesel with particulate filter and you can only get it at a Mercedes dealer or online from a few sources.

gaiex

But since I only hear the noise in hot, the w40 makes any difference at higher running temps?

Other thing, its better to use an 5w instead an 0w in cars with higher mileage, rigth?