Recent content by sajohnson

Battery Tender (BT) or Battery Minder. We have 4-5 BT units, one in continuous use for almost 15 years. They are referred to as "maintainers" but will charge batteries -- just more slowly than a dedicated charger.

True, I am. As I mentioned above, 5w-40 was the recommended SAE grade from day 1. Not 5w30 or 5w-40 -- 5w-40 period. If we had a bread or flower delivery company that would be one thing, but we have an 11,000+ lb box (RV) with the aerodynamics of a billboard. The engine is run at full load a...

Can't argue with that. :cool: I've been on Sprinter-Source since 2009. In 12 years you get to know whose opinion to take into consideration. Regarding fluids, essentially everyone agrees that it's best to stick with those on the MB Bevo list. However, many of those same people point out that...

Thanks blufeb95. The Fram #F935 is also an ACEA: C3 oil. The specs are pretty close, with the Fram #F935 having some sight advantages: * Cold Cranking Viscosity, cP @ -30 (°C) -- 5600 vs 5700 (very close) [* Viscosity, Kinematic 100C -- 14.0 vs 11.6] *** [* Viscosity, Kinematic 40C -- 81 vs...

I found the specs for the Castrol Edge 5w30 LL Advanced Full Synthetic mentioned above: https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/3C656FE38F0679EC802584330026C2B6/$File/bpxe-bdxc8m.pdf They look good but there is no mention of the HT/HS Viscosity, cP. The 0.5% ash level is good --...

"...where the mfr swears on their mother's grave" was my attempt at humor, nothing more. The HT/HS viscosity for Amalie's "Elixir European Formula dexos2® Full-Synthetic Motor Oil" 5-40 is 3.7...

A five (5) quart jug of Fram #F935 is $23.99 @ AAP. $4.80 per quart -- that's less than many conventional oils. I'm a fan of Costco, but they do not sell a 5W-40. The closest they come is a 15w40, and that has no MB approvals at all, let alone 229.51. I see the Costco site says, "Kirkland...

Solid advice, I'll keep it in mind. I've heard the same elsewhere. Right now I'm still in research mode. I had been using Valvoline #VV966 (5W-40) for years, but Valvoline changed the formula -- without changing the part number(!) -- and now it just has 229.5 approval. That's what started this...

Just to be clear, by "... these types of approvals or specifications..." are you referring to (for example) MB 229.51, or some other specs?

I've been working on anything with an engine since the early to mid 1970s. Until fairly recently, all that was necessary was that the oil have the correct viscosity and API rating(s). You knew you were good if you had those 2 things. In short, there was no need to be an 'oil guy'. I'm going to...

In my case, I'm looking for a synthetic 5W-40 that meets MB 229.51, has the req'd API ratings, is readily available, and (ideally) is reasonably priced. The Fram/Amalie oil checks all of the boxes.

Thank you! I'm really looking for 5W-40 though, and that is very hard to find. One place, AutohausAZ (sp?) has it for almost $9/quart. I didn't even bother checking tax and shipping. We have a fully loaded (11,000+ lb) Winnebago View. Between the weight, wind resistance, and mountain...

I get your point, and it's a good one. I'm used to posting over on Sprinter-Source. I need to keep reminding myself that I'm on BITOG, where people (obviously) have a wide range of vehicles. In our case, we have a 2008 Sprinter 3500 cab-chassis with a Winnebago box on it, so I'm looking for MB...

Thanks for the tip on Castrol 5W-40! I had previously looked at Castrol Edge EURO 5W-40 A3/B4 but it does not meet MB 229.51 (I have a 2008 Sprinter 3500 cab-chassis). Now I see that Castrol Edge EURO 5W-40 TURBO DIESEL "exceeds MB 229.51" and is on the Mercedes Bevo list. My short list is now...

Specifically which competing approvals cannot be simultaneously met, and why? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I simply don't know and would like to learn. FWIW, Amalie does make their own brand of 5W-40 full synthetic that meets MB 229.51...