Oil Change Question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 10
From: Midway, GA
2011 S63 AMG Designo Performance P3
Oil Change Question
Question for all,
I recently had a major service performed on my car at Critz Mercedes in Savannah, GA and while looking over the invoice, I noticed that the oil used was not their usual Mobil 1 0W-40. They used a MB brand of oil with a code that I later learned was the MB version of the 5W-40 oil. I asked if they still carry the Mobil 1 0W-40 because that's the oil that has always been used in my car. They told me that as of earlier this year, they stopped carrying Mobil 1 and now only have MB oil. I asked if they had the MB version of 0W-40 and I was told that they no longer carry any 0W-40 and that the M157 engine can use 0W-40 or 5W-40. I told them I prefer 0W-40 and that had I known about the change, I would have requested 0W-40 and if they do not carry it, I would have purchased the oil myself. I ended up purchasing the 9 qts. of 0W-40 and paid to have the oil change done over and they wanted to use the old filter because it was fairly new, however, I told them no and paid for labor and the filter with screw.
Has anyone else experienced this change to MB brand oil at their dealerships and/or the dealership only carrying 5W-40 oil? I don't want to get into the oil debate but what are your thoughts on this action especially those who prefer 0W-40?
I recently had a major service performed on my car at Critz Mercedes in Savannah, GA and while looking over the invoice, I noticed that the oil used was not their usual Mobil 1 0W-40. They used a MB brand of oil with a code that I later learned was the MB version of the 5W-40 oil. I asked if they still carry the Mobil 1 0W-40 because that's the oil that has always been used in my car. They told me that as of earlier this year, they stopped carrying Mobil 1 and now only have MB oil. I asked if they had the MB version of 0W-40 and I was told that they no longer carry any 0W-40 and that the M157 engine can use 0W-40 or 5W-40. I told them I prefer 0W-40 and that had I known about the change, I would have requested 0W-40 and if they do not carry it, I would have purchased the oil myself. I ended up purchasing the 9 qts. of 0W-40 and paid to have the oil change done over and they wanted to use the old filter because it was fairly new, however, I told them no and paid for labor and the filter with screw.
Has anyone else experienced this change to MB brand oil at their dealerships and/or the dealership only carrying 5W-40 oil? I don't want to get into the oil debate but what are your thoughts on this action especially those who prefer 0W-40?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 288
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1999 E320, 2008 S550, 2016 G63 AMG
In similar situation as yours ..
Just reviewed what my independent shop used for my recent oil change and learned that they used Mobil 5w-30.
The dealership where I bought my car was from had always used Mobil 5w-40.
My question is Mobil 5w-30 is suitable for the 2008 S550 ?
According to the car manual it is not.
Will have a talk wi the shop next week. In the meanwhile, can someone chime in about this situation?
Thanks,
Northern California climate.
The dealership where I bought my car was from had always used Mobil 5w-40.
My question is Mobil 5w-30 is suitable for the 2008 S550 ?
According to the car manual it is not.
Will have a talk wi the shop next week. In the meanwhile, can someone chime in about this situation?
Thanks,
Northern California climate.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
5W30 and 5W40 are both perfectly fine for your car in the summer and probably year round in CA. In fact, they'll probably help your engine run a little quieter with less burn-off during high temps. 0W oils are what you want in brutally cold climates since it's a little "thinner" and can help with very cold starts....like below zero.
If the MB 5W40 is a full synthetic with all of the proper additives (I assume it is), then you wasted a bunch of money dumping out all of that good oil and paying for another oil change.
If the MB 5W40 is a full synthetic with all of the proper additives (I assume it is), then you wasted a bunch of money dumping out all of that good oil and paying for another oil change.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 10
From: Midway, GA
2011 S63 AMG Designo Performance P3
I'm pretty sure the MB brand 5W-40 was fully synthetic because they have to stand by their product and provide the same level of protection as the Mobil oil.
I agree the 0 weight is designed for colder climates but after spending countless hours of research on the difference in 0 and 5 weight, I am still of the opinion that the 0 weight is better at start up and flows quicker to lubricate internals. It is pretty well accepted that the first start up causes the most wear to the engine. We may be talking a negligible difference but as I read during my research, it does take the 5 weight oil longer to get up to operating temperature as evidenced by the oil temperature reading in my instrument cluster. I was going to wait until the next oil change because I did not want to waste money for a negligible difference, but my OCD would not let me wait. I did observe and wait to see if I noticed any perceived differences for 2 weeks before pulling the trigger and the engine just seems to run better for me with the 0 weight oil.
Very curious to know if other dealers stopped stocking Mobil oil and have switched to a MB brand?
I agree the 0 weight is designed for colder climates but after spending countless hours of research on the difference in 0 and 5 weight, I am still of the opinion that the 0 weight is better at start up and flows quicker to lubricate internals. It is pretty well accepted that the first start up causes the most wear to the engine. We may be talking a negligible difference but as I read during my research, it does take the 5 weight oil longer to get up to operating temperature as evidenced by the oil temperature reading in my instrument cluster. I was going to wait until the next oil change because I did not want to waste money for a negligible difference, but my OCD would not let me wait. I did observe and wait to see if I noticed any perceived differences for 2 weeks before pulling the trigger and the engine just seems to run better for me with the 0 weight oil.
Very curious to know if other dealers stopped stocking Mobil oil and have switched to a MB brand?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
If you want a better oil than the Mobil 1 for a lower price, you might want to consider Lubro-Molly. It offers better additives to take better care of your engine and breaks down slower. Mobil 1 is so expensive because they market the crap out of it and are in bed with many manufacturers. It's really only an average synthetic, not the industry standard that they claim to be.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 101
Likes: 10
From: Midway, GA
2011 S63 AMG Designo Performance P3
Dave thanks for the recommendation, i will look into it. I have also heard that Mobil 1 isn't the best as claimed but is still a good synthetic. You are right, it is more expensive than other oils and probably due to the fact that some well known automakers endorse it and advertise how their performance engines come pre-filled from the factory with Mobil 1. I use it because I have used it for years on other vehicles. I've also been told that Liqui Molly, Amsoil, and some other fully synthetics are just as good and meet the MB 229.5 specification.
