Benz Changed Oil Viscocity

[1995c280]

just in case some of you haven't heard yet but mercedes has changed the engine oil they use in all cars since 1998 using synthetics. the old oil was mobil 1 0W-40. as of last week they changed it to mobil 1 5W-40. not sure on the reasoning yet but i am assuming the change was likely from another law suit.

a mobil truck came in on saturday to my dealership and sucked out all the 0W-40 and from now on 5W-40 is the only mercedes approved weight. not sure if this goes for the entire U.S. but i know it pertains to the northeast especially.

Jason

[Renn 208]

Interesting...let us know if you get more info on why the switch...

[trymonlam]

thanks for the heads up jason. that is interesting news. isn't that 5 stands for a temperature factor?

[jnenad16]

maybe the 0w was too thin and caused premature wear?
it makes sense because you need a somewhat thick oil film at start-up.

nenad

[irieite]

M1 5w-40 is less of a spread and seems like a better all-around, summer and winter oil than their 0w-40. However, I've been unable to find M1 5w-40 oil anywhere in the auto part stores.. :rolleyes:

Edit: I should add that when I bought my '00 c280 used from the local Benz dealership, they had just changed the oil with M1 0w-40 and a fleece filter. This combination should've been good for 10k miles, but I changed it after 3k to 10w-30 because there was a slight knock (rod bearing or piston slap perhaps) right after a warm start-up, probably because the oil was too thin. This is no longer hapening.

[rman]

Originally posted by irieite
M1 5w-40 is less of a spread and seems like a better all-around, summer and winter oil than their 0w-40. However, I've been unable to find M1 5w-40 oil anywhere in the auto part stores.. :rolleyes:

not positive, but try walmart. it's like $22ish for a 5qt container. i know they have regular weights, but I haven't looked for anything outside of 5w30.
My first oil change is coming up pretty soon

[irieite]

Originally posted by rman
not positive, but try walmart. it's like $22ish for a 5qt container. i know they have regular weights, but I haven't looked for anything outside of 5w30.
My first oil change is coming up pretty soon

I don't shop there that often. Let me know if you find it there when you do your oil change.

[harryt]

hmm not sure... but mines always used 15W40..... or atleast that's what I've been putting into it since I got it....

[mkal369]

What about Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15w-50?


http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oils/Mobil_1_Extended_Performance_15W-50.aspx

[davis449]

I tend to alternate oil weights depending on who changes the oil. The climate is hot and humid down here in South Texas with very mild winters, so 0W40 is what the dealer has always used. I don't know if they are switching down here due to the climate. When I have my friend to my oil changes I usually pick up 10W30 cause it's easy to find. Mobil 1 of course.

[mbLova]

Will this change affect the type of filter to be used when doing an oil change?

[1995c280]

ok guys, i got some more feedback today. the northeast is the first to start the changeover but within the next month it will go nationwide through all benz dealers. the change was for a number of reasons... 1)if you recall the older mercedes had a big problem with -slugged- engines. 2) they felt the oil was too thin by all the deposits and foam mixture found under oil caps caused by crankcase pressures. 3) there was a lawsuit because of these factors.

the wierd thing is, i checked mobil 1's website. they don't even list a synthetic 5W-40 so benz must have made them make this weight and hopefully it should be in stores soon. also i was told that 0W-40 is still approved but they stongly recommend switching to the 5W-40.

mbLova, you still use the same fleece filter, no change in that!



Jason

[davis449]

Originally posted by 1995c280
ok guys, i got some more feedback today. the northeast is the first to start the changeover but within the next month it will go nationwide through all benz dealers. the change was for a number of reasons... 1)if you recall the older mercedes had a big problem with -slugged- engines. 2) they felt the oil was too thin by all the deposits and foam mixture found under oil caps caused by crankcase pressures. 3) there was a lawsuit because of these factors.

the wierd thing is, i checked mobil 1's website. they don't even list a synthetic 5W-40 so benz must have made them make this weight and hopefully it should be in stores soon. also i was told that 0W-40 is still approved but they stongly recommend switching to the 5W-40.

mbLova, you still use the same fleece filter, no change in that!



Jason

Are we absolutely sure that the weight is 5w40?

[Renn 208]

Originally posted by davis449
Are we absolutely sure that the weight is 5w40?

The TSB I've seen lists:

MB229.51
Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5w-40

[1995c280]

Originally posted by davis449
Are we absolutely sure that the weight is 5w40?

I'm positive & thanks Renn for confirming for everyone on here!

Jason