roughyear

which motor oil am i suppose to use in my 2006 ML500??? is it the Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40???

isn't Mobil 1, just that, Mobil 1 synthetic??? what's the difference between what the $tealer recommends and what's available at my local autoparts store??

why can't we use regular motor oil if we change out the oil every 3000-4000miles??

Vernl

It varies from gas to diesel as to the reasons for a specific type of oil but rest assured that you should use the proper spec oil, the brand is up to you as long as it has the right spec. then just enjoy the long interval between changes

MB Dave

mercedes is great, they give you a car manual and in this book they tell you how your car works and how to treat it, what fluid and oils to put in and how often. gee isnt that nice of them

(sarcasm)

Hamlin

Based on my limited research, the ESP oil is a low ash variant that is used in the diesels to extend the life of the particulate filter. These oils comply to 229.51, and I have only found 2; one on-line (the same one the dealer uses; Mobil 1 ESP Fomula M 5W-40) and another one that I have only found available in Europe (Valvoline SunPower MST 5W-30).

There are more oils that comply with 229.5 which are required when using the fleece oil filter (Post 2005). If you have the AMG engine, then they limit the approved oils to either Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40, or the Mobil 1 ESP Fomula M 5W-40.

The ESP oil is expensive so if you don't need it, I wouldn't use it. Find a 229.5 approved oil on sale (marked on the bottles) and buy a stack of cases.

Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30
Penzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Quaker State European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Mobile 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40

Flubadub

Valvoline Synpower oil that meets 229.51 is available in the USA at NAPA stores.

Flubadub

I hate it when the manufacturer clutters up the glove box with that useless book........

sosh

Yes and the book will not even fit in the glove box or anywhere else for that matter!!

vinceching

what an idiotic statement.

you must not know your shapes, because if you take out the warranty booklet you can fit it inside the glove box. you can also fit all the other books if you separate them into 2 different areas in the glove box.

and if not there, everyone puts them in the spare tire well.

so really, don't be overly dramatic... you just make yourself look like an idiot.

cschmelz

Mine comes in a leather type holder. It does NOT fit in the glovebox in the holder provided by Mercedes.

How idiotic is it to remove the very nice CASE that Mercedes gives you to keep all the owner's manuals together in one place just to get it in the glove box.

I personally put mine in the case in the passenger door storage well. Fits snugly and doesn't rattle there.

sosh

As far as idiots are concerned, just look in a mirror

lkchris

You can get Mobil 1 0W-40--which is Mercedes compliant--at your favorite Auto Zone.

Your dealer is using the 5W-40 because he only wants to carry one grade in his bulk system and this is the oil required for diesels. It's ok in your car, but you indeed can't find this oil anywhere except Mercedes dealers.

Any other grades of Mobil 1 are not suitable for your engine.

Flubadub

Amazing how far some folks will go over a little sarcasm. Most likely open a dictionary as often as an owner's manual.

vinceching

i just did... and i saw you. no surprises there

vinceching

they all come in with that leather pouch.

did mercedes make a mistake on the design space of the glove box? yes.

but you only really need the main booklet. and besides, just like you did you can place it in other places in the car. no one needs to be overly dramatic like sosh

cschmelz

Sosh wasn't the 'overly' dramatic one. You were. He didn't resort to name calling. You did.

vinceching

not being overly dramatic? making a statement saying there is no room in the car to store owners manuals is being overly dramatic.

and you haven't been on the boards long enough to understand that these exchanges we have don't stem just from this one post. below is the post in which this exchange started from

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...547&highlight=

this stems from him trying to pass off that the dealer knows best to other members who might listen to him and also making statements like this...

"In addition it should be checked for any outstanding bulletins, etc. Its lots more than anoil change and doing it yourself will not satisfy MBCC;s maint requiremnent on the lease." -sosh

again, mercedes cannot force you to use their service centers to do maintenance. you can change the oil yourself if you wanted to. go to an independent shop, or if you want to chance it... not even changing the oil for the whole time.

the point is, mercedes states that if they can prove there was a lack of maintenance that results in damages... then the warranty won't cover it and you need to pay out of pocket.

vinceching

btw, just use mobil 1 0w-40. cheapest i've found is at my local walmart $5.69 for a quart.