15W-40 oil recommendations for older gas engine

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Jul 6, 2015
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Canada
I have always used Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 in my Mercedes W124 (M103 gas engine).

I see that Rotella T4 is now SN rated. Would this oil still be appropriate or is there a better option?
 
Still appropriate. The last voa I saw on t4 said 2200 calcium and no magnesium. Most SN 15w-40's are around 1000/1000. I am running mag1 15w-40 which is CK/SN and its got 1050 calcium and 1000 magnesium as per the pds.
 
I ran Rotella T in my classics after they dropped the zinc, ZDDP or whatever they call it.
Now I run Castrol Hot Rod oil.

Dunno what is right for your application.
 
A quick search reveals that 15w40 is the suggested grade for that engine. That being said, I would say that there is no reason not to use the oil you suggest, or even a 5w40 diesel oil. If it was me, I would run a 5w40 in Canada and not think back.
It has pretty much always been run with some version of 15W-40, but mostly Rotella. Doesn't get driven in winter with colder temperatures so 15W-40 seems perfectly appropriate.
 
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I ran this ST in my 4.0L Jeep Cherokee. I never got a UOA done but the engine seemed content with it. It's also SN rated.

ST 15w-40 (Medium).webp
 
I have always used Shell Rotella T4 15W-40 in my Mercedes W124 (M103 gas engine).

I see that Rotella T4 is now SN rated. Would this oil still be appropriate or is there a better option?
Do you know what the MB oil spec is for this engine? I would start with this and look for an appropriate 40 oil that has it (15w or not).
 
I ran this ST in my 4.0L Jeep Cherokee. I never got a UOA done but the engine seemed content with it. It's also SN rated.
I haven't been able to find ST 15w40 FS in Canada but 5w40 is pretty common. The image shows it meets MB 229.3, 229.5.

st 5w40 back 6000202189877.webp
 
Why not use an appropriate oil for the application? Forget the 15W-40 grade. That's just what was common 30-40 years ago, and most oils meeting that grade are junk because it's easy to make with the cheapest, most volatile, low VI base oils available. The majors are all in a race to the bottom so they happily accept the lower production cost. Rotella T4 15W-40 having 12% volatility and foaming like a draft beer is a prime example. The fact that it's rated for SN means nothing since API S-series only applies to 30 grades and below. Most of the time, a 5W-40 is going to be superior to a 15W-40 in most every way (even in heat) since they're forced to use better quality base oils and VII to meet that grade.

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40
Valvoline Euro 5W-40
Mobil 1 FS Euro 5W-40

Any of those would be better options for your engine.
 
Why not use an appropriate oil for the application? Forget the 15W-40 grade. That's just what was common 30-40 years ago, and most oils meeting that grade are junk because it's easy to make with the cheapest, most volatile, low VI base oils available. The majors are all in a race to the bottom so they happily accept the lower production cost. Rotella T4 15W-40 having 12% volatility and foaming like a draft beer is a prime example. The fact that it's rated for SN means nothing since API S-series only applies to 30 grades and below. Most of the time, a 5W-40 is going to be superior to a 15W-40 in most every way (even in heat) since they're forced to use better quality base oils and VII to meet that grade.

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40
Valvoline Euro 5W-40
Mobil 1 FS Euro 5W-40

Any of those would be better options for your engine.
This.
 
Why not use an appropriate oil for the application? Forget the 15W-40 grade. That's just what was common 30-40 years ago, and most oils meeting that grade are junk because it's easy to make with the cheapest, most volatile, low VI base oils available. The majors are all in a race to the bottom so they happily accept the lower production cost. Rotella T4 15W-40 having 12% volatility and foaming like a draft beer is a prime example. The fact that it's rated for SN means nothing since API S-series only applies to 30 grades and below. Most of the time, a 5W-40 is going to be superior to a 15W-40 in most every way (even in heat) since they're forced to use better quality base oils and VII to meet that grade.

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40
Valvoline Euro 5W-40
Mobil 1 FS Euro 5W-40

Any of those would be better options for your engine.
As above. Shouldn't you be using diesel oil for a diesel engine, and conversely engine oils for a .......? Don't really understand why you would consider diesel oil for a petrol (gasoline) engine but still a knowledge novice in this space. Does it matter? Using Rotella T6 15W40 full syn. on my DIESEL M25 boat engine and all good after first season of sailing.

Remaining a disciple of M1 FS 0W40 and ESP 0W30 respectively, aligned to spec. BMW and Merc vehicles.
 
As above. Shouldn't you be using diesel oil for a diesel engine, and conversely engine oils for a .......? Don't really understand why you would consider diesel oil for a petrol (gasoline) engine but still a knowledge novice in this space. Does it matter? Using Rotella T6 15W40 full syn. on my DIESEL M25 boat engine and all good after first season of sailing.

Remaining a disciple of M1 FS 0W40 and ESP 0W30 respectively, aligned to spec. BMW and Merc vehicles
Because dual rated HDEOs are proven to work absolutely fine in older gas engines and have been for years? And come on, it's a W124 Mercedes, Mercedes engines and cars from that era are bullet proof, plus he says he has been running that for years with no trouble.

Would a modern synthetic A3/B4 40 grade work great in that engine? Certainly, but nothing wrong with a HDEO either.

The only way to really know is try different oils and compare used analysis samples.

If i had one, i would probably also head straight for a 15W40 HDEO like my favorite API SL/CI-4 Shell Rimula R4X, a good old pre emissions formula.
 
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Because dual rated HDEOs are proven to work absolutely fine in older gas engines and have been for years? And come on, it's a W124 Mercedes, Mercedes engines and cars from that era are bullet proof, plus he says he has been running that for years with no trouble.

Would a modern synthetic A3/B4 40 grade work great in that engine? Certainly, but nothing wrong with a HDEO either.

The only way to really know is try different oils and compare used analysis samples.

If i had one, i would probably also head straight for a 15W40 HDEO like my favorite API SL/CI-4 Shell Rimula R4X, a good old pre emissions formula.
Got it! Makes sense. Yes, agreed the old Mercs are excellent. Thanks.
 
Because dual rated HDEOs are proven to work absolutely fine in older gas engines and have been for years? And come on, it's a W124 Mercedes, Mercedes engines and cars from that era are bullet proof, plus he says he has been running that for years with no trouble.

Would a modern synthetic A3/B4 40 grade work great in that engine? Certainly, but nothing wrong with a HDEO either.

The only way to really know is try different oils and compare used analysis samples.

If i had one, i would probably also head straight for a 15W40 HDEO like my favorite API SL/CI-4 Shell Rimula R4X, a good old pre emissions formula.

You're putting a lot of faith in those certs. As stated already, the "dual" rating means nothing since API S-series only applies to 30 grades and below. Whether or not a 40 grade HDMO carries it is just a matter of whether they think paying the ~$5k for the license is worth it. Shell obviously doesn't care too much. Rotella doesn't even put much effort into the CK-4 license, seeing as it recently bombed D892 miserably. (>2.5x the limit) Last year's API audit (~3%) found that nearly half (48%) of the oils they tested failed to meet their claimed spec.

Also, why spend more money on an inferior oil? At Walmart...

1 gal/jug - Rotella T6 15W-40 = $26.13 ($6.58/qt)
5 qt/jug - Mobil 1 FS Euro 5W-40 = $27.97 ($5.59/qt)

The actual Euro oil is a dollar a quart cheaper, won't foam like a draft beer, and is a better performer all around.
 
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