Two quick oil questions:
Also, has anyone any experience with Total oil? I know that Mobil 1 ESP seems to be the standardly chosen, but I can't seem to find that locally.
TIA
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10119
As long as the oil has the correct MB number (229.51 for me) it is 'approved' for use in our cars? Thus, the Total oils are ok to use.... anyone have experience with them?
http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9511
Elf is in Merc's own literature, and since Elf=TOTAL I guess it's good to go....
I'm still curious, if any engineering types are on this board, what is the difference between 229.5 & 229.51 (or what is the difference between gasser and oil burner requirements). And what is special about the particulate filter and oil? Is it because some blow by?
Thanks.

I think you would not need the ".x1" grade. Actually for gassers that do not need this low ash oil, MB recommends 229.5. I don't know if this would be better for diesel that does not need low ash oil.
I believe even 229.3 is allowed for the I6 but don't count on this comment.
It goes on to list Mobil 1 Euro Car Formula, Pennzoil Euro Formula Ultra, & Quaker Sate Euro Formula Ultra as MB approved oils.
It says to use the 229.5 for the diesels as well, and for some reason I thought the diesels were to use 229.51? Mine's a I6 CDI.....
So if only the new blutecs with the particulate filters need the low ash 229.51, oil choice doesn't seem to make that much difference for the old diesel engine then. Or am I missing something completely here?
There are ZERO companies claiming they meet this spec without printing that fact on the bottle. If it's not on the bottle, it doesn't meet the spec.
This oil contains less ash, which is something in the oil that goes out the exhaust when oil is burned (some always is) and can contaminate the DPF. Sticker on radiator support of my GL cautions agains using ANY QUANTITY of noncompliant motor oil. This obviously means if you get a quart low, don't top up with just anything.
http://www.totalmotoroils.com/lub/lu...ocument&LG=EN&
Last edited by lkchris; Jun 24, 2010 at 06:12 PM.

So, technically I can use 229.5 for my I6 CDI, and according to Mobil 1 their synthetic 0w40 is MB 229.5 compliant and it is very readily available locally.
I haven't had this much of an issue figuring out which oil to use since I bought my motorbike and needed an oil that could be used with a wet clutch
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Switch from a M1 0w40 to Amsoil 5w40, my engine warms up to operation temperature a lot faster, (I guess it's a good thing since I do a lot of 10 mins trips) and winter doesn't get very cold here.
I believe a 5w40 would be a much better oil than 0w40 in warmer part of the world. A lot of the dealers in the US are starting to put 5w40, which I believe it's the same thing as the M1 Formula M 229.5 5w40
Last edited by butter123; Feb 19, 2016 at 01:06 AM.
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