tarheel76

My recently purchased 2004 E320 with 52300k miles came with a new change of Kendall 5-40 synthetic oil. I've always used Castrol in all my MBs over the past 30+ years. Is anyone familiar with their synthetic oil EDGE. Kendall is a good oil but not readily available in most local retailers. I have never used synthetic oils before now. What should the oil change frequency be for synthetic? I put on about 6k a year on my MB. Would once a year be a good rule to follow?

tarheel76

LaicepsYdobon

I don't do my oil changes I let my dealer take care of that for me so I might no be the best person to answer your question but I'm going to give it a shot anyway. For all my Benzes my dealers have always used Mobil-1 synthetic oil every 12,000 miles or one year since the last oil change (whichever one comes first). The onboard computer let's me know 30 days in advance when an oil chance is due.

Congrats on your purchase by the way

lkchris

You need to get over this old thinking.

Mercedes specifies motor oil characteristics and your car requires an oil that meets specification MB229.5

If it's not printed on the bottle that it meets this specification, it doesn't.

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9511

stickygreen

If you want to use Castrol, use Syntec 0w30 european formula (aka German Castrol)...bottle must say "made in Germany" on back in fine print.

German Castrol is one of the finest OTC oils available stateside, and meets MB 229.5. You can easily go 7500-10k miles on an oil change, depending on driving habits. Another good option is Mobil 1 0w40

Castrol Edge (US version 5w30 and 10w30) do not have a high enough HT/HS to use in your engine.

werewolf34

What Stickygreen said. Well regarded oil brands: German Syntec, Royal Purple, AMSOIL

Oil intervals 5k-8k if you're **** or drive really hard
7-10k for normal wear and tear. You can stretch this to 12k if necessary

lkchris

No Royal Purple with Mercedes approval.

You can "stretch" it to 19k if you want, as that's the specified interval in all countries except USA, which as we all know is full to the top with oil change experts. Premature oil changes hurt your motor.

tarheel76

I checked Wally World and they don't carry that blend of Castrol SYNTEC. What retailer(s) would you recommend that carries this product. One more question that I have is what would you recommend as a quality oil filter?
I appreciate your feedback regarding my oil and filter concerns. I didn't realize how critical it was that only specific oil(s) be used in this engine.

tarheel76

werewolf34

How does premature oil engines hurt a motor?

stickygreen

Only Autozone carries German Castrol, and your best bet is to wait for one of their "5qts & a filter sale" for 24.99-29.99. Otherwise, it's around $7/qt.

I disagree that early oil changes can hurt your engine, to an extent. There is no doubt in my mind that an engine that has seen 5k mile oil changes would be in at least as good shape as an engine that has seen 10k oil changes, all else being equal. But it might not necessarily be in any better shape. One exception to this is when a special "break-in" oil was used from the factory, as in our GL320. Then you definitely want to wait out the recommended service interval. That being said, I change the ESP Formula M 5w40 every 10k on the diesels, and Mobil 1 10w40 HM every 7500 on the e320.

I have also read that an oil can take several hundred miles to reach its optimal state in an engine. It's a fairly well known fact on BITOG that Mobil 1 0w40 shears down to a thick 30wt oil (like German Castrol) fairly quickly, but then holds its viscosity very well and is a fantastic oil. German Castrol, on the other hand, starts as a thick 30wt and stays there.

If it were me, since the ESP oils are not recommended for gas cars in the US, I would use Mobil 1 10w30 "high mileage" in the 5qt jugs at Wal-Mart for $22. This particular oil is a thick 30wt (like GC), is API SL-rated (more ZDDP anti-wear), and is rated ACEA A3/B3/B4 for european long drains with a >3.5 HTHS. Though not officially MB 229.5 approved, I'm sure it would pass if tested.

bobus63

Hi There,
I've a CLK BS & change the 9.5 qts of Amsoil European Blend Synthetic as soon as the oil even STARTS to look dirty or 5000 miles max. But that's just me.
Please explain how "premature oil changes hurt your motor" ? Never heard of such a thing.
Bob

stickygreen

Amsoil is a fantastic oil, but it's strengths lie in improved lubrication over long drain intervals.

For such short drain intervals in a high-strung engine (assuming it gets run hard), I would only use Redline. That or Motul 300v.

Not saying you're engine wont run great forever on the Amsoil (or even Mobil 1), but if you want the ultimate oil for your car, give one of the ester-based lubes a try.