Can I run 15w-40 mobile 1 oil?
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From: Wash., D.C.
C280
Can I run 15w-40 mobile 1 oil?
Normally I wouldn't even ask, but all the 15w-40 oils say "truck" oil on it. I think even the mobile 1 says "truck". It may not be officially approved, but how different can mobile's synthetic formulas be?
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From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
For MY2005 and newer use MB Spec 229.5 oils and for MY2004 and older use MB Spec 229.3 or 229.5. Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 ECF (European Car Formula) meets both these specs. You can use different viscosities of an approved oil but in the Continental US + Hawaii the 0W-40 is appropriate. These approved oils are designed to be the best for easy starting, minimal engine wear and best gas mileage.
You can put whatever you want in and your engine isn't going to blow up 30 mi down the road. As long as you use a quality oil any downside will be harder starting, more engine wear and lower gas mileage which may or may not be important to you. If you plan/want to keep your car for a long time, I'd suggest using the approved oil.
You can put whatever you want in and your engine isn't going to blow up 30 mi down the road. As long as you use a quality oil any downside will be harder starting, more engine wear and lower gas mileage which may or may not be important to you. If you plan/want to keep your car for a long time, I'd suggest using the approved oil.
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From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
There is a Mobile 1 full synthetic truck oil that meets the MB car spec. So if it meets the spec you can use it. I would not just use any off the shelf oil but if you have to do so go to the shorter oil change frequency as dictated if your FSS is so equipped.
There are many people who own mercedes and due to location can not buy approved oils so always use the best you can if you can't meet the spec due to availability with the shorter oil change frequency.
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From: Wash., D.C.
C280
Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I don't want to run 0w-40 in the summer. I want a thicker base stock (yes I know it's synthetic). I have seen 10w-40 mobile 1, but since MB recommends 15w-50 mobile 1 (which was the first oil approved for MB's extended oil changes I believe), I was thinking 15w-40 would be the best of both worlds; a thick base but better MPG then 50w.
While in walmart, the mobile 1 15w-40 had "for trucks" on it, I'm hoping it's just for marketing. More or less I would think all mobile one is created equal, right?
While in walmart, the mobile 1 15w-40 had "for trucks" on it, I'm hoping it's just for marketing. More or less I would think all mobile one is created equal, right?
Perhaps I am confused. But Chevy trucks have used the LS1 engine that was also used in cars. So,, truck oil vs car oil?
There is a Mobile 1 full synthetic truck oil that meets the MB car spec. So if it meets the spec you can use it. I would not just use any off the shelf oil but if you have to do so go to the shorter oil change frequency as dictated if your FSS is so equipped.
There are many people who own mercedes and due to location can not buy approved oils so always use the best you can if you can't meet the spec due to availability with the shorter oil change frequency.
There is a Mobile 1 full synthetic truck oil that meets the MB car spec. So if it meets the spec you can use it. I would not just use any off the shelf oil but if you have to do so go to the shorter oil change frequency as dictated if your FSS is so equipped.
There are many people who own mercedes and due to location can not buy approved oils so always use the best you can if you can't meet the spec due to availability with the shorter oil change frequency.
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03 E500 and Corvette
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98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
The important number in oil viscosity spec is the first one. That is the 0 in 0W-40. Choose your oil based on that number and the coldest temperature you expect before the next oil change. 0W-40 is good to -13F so it is appropriate for ConUS + Hawaii for all MB vehicles.
As always it's your car and your money so you make the final decision.
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I don't want to run 0w-40 in the summer. I want a thicker base stock (yes I know it's synthetic). I have seen 10w-40 mobile 1, but since MB recommends 15w-50 mobile 1 (which was the first oil approved for MB's extended oil changes I believe), I was thinking 15w-40 would be the best of both worlds; a thick base but better MPG then 50w.
While in walmart, the mobile 1 15w-40 had "for trucks" on it, I'm hoping it's just for marketing. More or less I would think all mobile one is created equal, right?
While in walmart, the mobile 1 15w-40 had "for trucks" on it, I'm hoping it's just for marketing. More or less I would think all mobile one is created equal, right?
for the 229.3, 229.5 and 229.51 (whichever is applicable to your car).
BTW, when you're looking for "thicker" oils, you need to compare the spec sheets for the viscosity at 100 deg C. The 40 deg C values are usually given so you can calculate the viscosity index of the oil. According to the M1 site, 0W-40 is 14cSt, and 15w-50 is 18.1 cSt (at 100 deg C).
Oil chemistry is complicated and when there's a multi grade oil, the two specs have to be met, for example: the "0W" and the "40". To do this (in a simple sense) is to use a less viscous base stock that will allow the "0W" spec to be met and then add viscosity index improvers (and other stuff) to meet the "40" spec. The bad news is that the VIIs will shear under high stress conditions causing the oil not to meet its 100 deg C value -- the good news is that synthetic base stocks tend to have better, inherent viscosity indices (prior to formulation) so less VIIs are needed.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
paul...
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From: Wash., D.C.
C280
Thank you for the technical responses. Go figure that I haven't been to walmart since I posted this thread. I'm starting to think that the 15w-40 oils said "diesel" on them not "truck". I will try and make it to an auto parts store tomorrow to check. What I was also worried is that the oil for diesel engines might have different additives than normal oil.
I probably won't take a chance with my MB, but I might try 15w-40 "for truck/diesel" in one of my other cars.
I probably won't take a chance with my MB, but I might try 15w-40 "for truck/diesel" in one of my other cars.
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From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
Regards,
paul...
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'10 CL550, '12 GL550
There are ONLY TWO Mobil 1 oils suitable and approved for use in Mercedes engines (diesel or gas) and those are 0W-40 European Formula and 5W-40 Formula M ESP. (this in USA)
If Mercedes Specification 229.5 or 229.51 is not PRINTED ON THE BOTTLE, the oil is not suitable for Mercedes.
Use of "50 weight" oil is so 20th century and is frankly irrelevant to modern engines.
See http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9511
If Mercedes Specification 229.5 or 229.51 is not PRINTED ON THE BOTTLE, the oil is not suitable for Mercedes.
Use of "50 weight" oil is so 20th century and is frankly irrelevant to modern engines.
See http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...stedDocId=9511
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From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Use of "50 weight" oil is so 20th century and is frankly irrelevant to modern engines.
Did an oil and filter change today in my 2004 E-500 and used
Mobil 1, 15W-50.
Checked the MB manual first, and the viscosity was indeed OK.
Looking at this thread and checking the bottle, I see no 229.5 or .51..
The car has 80.3K miles and will be driven in South Florida only.
Did I waste $50.00 on bad oil or what...?
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
You did.
20th century "father's Oldsmobile" knowledge is simply irrelevant.
Current studies, for example, also show that it's detrimental to change oil sooner versus later, too.
http://papers.sae.org/2007-01-4133/
Just do what Mercedes recommends--none of us here have more knowledge or better advice.
20th century "father's Oldsmobile" knowledge is simply irrelevant.
Current studies, for example, also show that it's detrimental to change oil sooner versus later, too.
http://papers.sae.org/2007-01-4133/
Just do what Mercedes recommends--none of us here have more knowledge or better advice.
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From: Michigan
SL600 r230, SL600 r129, SL500 r230, ML320, C280 Sport, R170 450SL, 190e 2.3 16V (2)
If his manual showed 15-40 as a recommended oil than he did good.
Not all cars are new.
How long has 0-40 been available?
Don't worry, your engine won't blow up. Drive the snot out of it. Ps - use Gold Cap M1.
Not all cars are new.
How long has 0-40 been available?
Don't worry, your engine won't blow up. Drive the snot out of it. Ps - use Gold Cap M1.
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From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Just do what Mercedes recommends--none of us here have more knowledge or better advice.
I went by the book, page 5 of Factory "Approved Service Products" where the "Viscosity Grades for Motor Oils" chart is displayed.
15W-50 is listed for a range of temperatures from -15 C to +30 C and above.
I did miss the small print on 3 where FSS or FFS Plus is being discussed and Mobile 1 0W-40 at 229.5 and 229.3 is the only MB approved oils.
Oh well, blew $50.00 on oil. Could have been worse I guess.
Don't worry, your engine won't blow up. Drive the snot out of it. Ps - use Gold Cap M1.
Or is the 0W-40 to meet gas milage standards more than engine health?
Thanks for the advise gents, this forum has been great.
Last edited by NorseWagon; Jul 24, 2010 at 01:31 PM.
