ATrudell

I have a 2013 GLK 350 (Southern California) and trying to ID the type of oil I should use to top off engine when oil level lowers. Owners' manual just gives ranges.

Gt. Dane

Try this link for one brand. You should confirm on the bottle that it says MB approval etc.

http://www.mobil1.co.uk/which-synthe...xsffgpce4ky17a

TTA850

I believe that Mobil1 ESP Formula M 5w40 is pretty much the standard MB oil since around mid 2006 or so when the 229.51 spec came out.

grane

The 225.51 spec has been updated.

The M1 0-40 European Formula is preferred with most cars including AMGs. (There maybe a few exceptions.) Zero weight oils do have an advantage over higher numbers when the car is first started which is the time most wear occurs. Indeed I just checked the US and UK websites and 0-40 is recommended. I would check the OM or the posts by the incomparable Glyn Ruck. If you can use either oil I would go with the 0-40. One can buy it at WM but they are often out of stock. Be very careful not to overfill. If you use oil on a new 350 I would contact the dealer.

The 5-40 is a bulk oil available only to dealers. Do not confuse it with the Diesel spec oil of the same weight. If you have a Diesel GLK then that oil is required but it corresponds to a different spec number.

BTW when you go in for your oil filter make sure you have your VIN with you for the 2013 GLK. It seems there are two different filters the MB dealer stock. You may need the copper crusher washer also unless you use an oil extractor. I shall change my wife's oil in the 13 GLK at 5k miles with 0-40 since she makes many short (<30 mile) trips. I was unable to find any (equivalent OEM quality )filter at any autoparts store as of April 25.

TTA850

M1 ESP Formula M 5w40 is not bulk oil only available to dealers, around me several places carry it in qt containers including Pep Boys and my local distributor carries it in 6 qt cases. I used to use 0w40 in my past AMG's but since the dealers switched, I've been using 5w40 with no issues. And when mine go in for service 5w40 is what they put in

That said the M276 specs 229.5 (which 229.51 is backwards compatible) and calls for 0w40, 5w30, or 5w40

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=10119

grane

Dealers buy 5-40 in 55 gallon drums, that's why they use it. It's cheaper but doesn't have the performance of 0-40. If you go to the Mobil site GLK they recommend the 0-40. The GLK is filled from the factory with 0-40.

TTA850, I am glad you've had no problems. You can choose to believe what you want.

FWhite

There are 2 5W-40 oils used by dealers. The bulk 5W-40 is 229.5 spec oil and is used in everything but 2007 and later diesels. The 5W-40 ESP is diesel only and 229.51. Mercedes specs both oils and they do not interchange. The bulk 229.5 is dealer only.

TTA850

Interesting information thanks grane and FWhite, any written info on this cause there's so much mixed info between these boards and the PL it's tough to figure out what's true not to mention what your saying goes against what we've been told by AMG on the PL - on the up side who keeps these cars long enough for this to matter anyway lol, hopefully the 5w40 my dealer uses is good enough to last the two or three years I'll own my vehicles. I have yet to need to add oil to either of my current vehicles but grabbed a qt for each from the dealer at pickup, which was the ESP 5w40 - like I said mixed info even from the dealers

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps1da1e34b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ps5b1a1f26.jpg

FWhite

The local dealer just serviced both our cars. They put P/N Q-1-09-0015 Mobil 1 oil in my wife's 09 SL 550 and P/N Q-01-09-0142 Mobil 1 ESP in my 2012 S350 Bluetec.

I don't think Mercedes could have done a better job of confusing the oil issue if they tried. I stand corrected on the use of the ESP oil in the gas engines. I know they formerly did not recommend it. The issue was the lower TBN # of the ESP oil which might possibly be an issue in engines burning ethanol containing gas. I had a lengthy conversation with a MBUSA engineer about this exact issue a few years ago.

My call would be to use 229.5 Mobil 1 0W-40 in the gas engines. It has a very high TBN and you can get it at Walmart. Certainly adding a little ESP to top up a gas engine wouldn't hurt anything but to change oil yourself use the 0W-40.

grane

+1

And don't forget the VIN for the MB parts person to get the correct oil filter! If they say they don't need it gently persuade them to look up the filter via the VIN. One parts person was surprised there were two filters for the gas engines!