If I know the rest of the Internet, I may be disliked for posting a "help me decide," thread. However, despite extensive research for several weeks now. This is still going to be hard for me to decide.
First, I will use a 229.5 to meet Mercedes spec. I know non-229.5 oils are good too, but I'm sticking with 229.5 as recommended by manufacturer.
This basically leaves me three choices (for somewhat easy to obtain in US):
1) What the dealer seems to have been using. M1 Formula M 5w40 (NOT the ESP/diesel version), but a special gasoline 229.5 approved Formula M 5w40. I guess it has worked fine in my cars. I recently got an analysis at 6,000 miles, it was "ok." The viscosity really held up! 13.39 at 100 C I believe. Would that be a reason to stay with it?
Here is what I don't like about that OIL: TBN starts at just 8, when you could potentially go the allowed 10,000 miles. At 6,000 miles, my TBN was down to 3. I feel like the low TBN might mean this is a "cut cost," but yet just barely approved 229.5. Mobil 1 themselves call this just an "advanced," oil compared to "Most Advanced," with the M1 0w40.
Second, I could switch to M1 0w40. This starts out with a TBN just above 11. Much higher than the Formula M above. It will sheer more. I'm also scared I will then see more Iron in the analysis. Do we have a definitive on that? Does M1 make your engine wear more iron, or is it just some kind of reaction? I'm only a novice, but I've noticed this in UOAs too. If it wasn't for that, I would trust this oil. I'm a Mobil fan and I admit it, but yet the iron does concern me. Still, the 0w40 version of M1 seems a cut above the traditional grades of M1 which seem just like an average (same thing) next to their competitors.
THIRD and final choice ...
Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 Euro Formula. The drawback? I have no evidence or UOA to tell me this would do any better. This oil I guess is the long time Shell Ultra 5w40 that was available in the rest of world. Therefore, it's probably not some new great breakthrough as the traditional grade Ultras seem to be. I don't even know the TBN, additives, etc. It would just be a "gut," thing to choose this oil.
Therefore, there are my three choices.
What would make the most sense? I suppose if I want to experiment I could try M1 0w40 the next time and then try Penn Ultra. After that, I would have more information and could always go back to Formula M.
I almost think sticking with Formula M is the easiest since the dealer just fills it up from the machine, no fuss, no special request. However, what about the low TBN? Calcium is also low in the analysis.
Many thanks.
First, I will use a 229.5 to meet Mercedes spec. I know non-229.5 oils are good too, but I'm sticking with 229.5 as recommended by manufacturer.
This basically leaves me three choices (for somewhat easy to obtain in US):
1) What the dealer seems to have been using. M1 Formula M 5w40 (NOT the ESP/diesel version), but a special gasoline 229.5 approved Formula M 5w40. I guess it has worked fine in my cars. I recently got an analysis at 6,000 miles, it was "ok." The viscosity really held up! 13.39 at 100 C I believe. Would that be a reason to stay with it?
Here is what I don't like about that OIL: TBN starts at just 8, when you could potentially go the allowed 10,000 miles. At 6,000 miles, my TBN was down to 3. I feel like the low TBN might mean this is a "cut cost," but yet just barely approved 229.5. Mobil 1 themselves call this just an "advanced," oil compared to "Most Advanced," with the M1 0w40.
Second, I could switch to M1 0w40. This starts out with a TBN just above 11. Much higher than the Formula M above. It will sheer more. I'm also scared I will then see more Iron in the analysis. Do we have a definitive on that? Does M1 make your engine wear more iron, or is it just some kind of reaction? I'm only a novice, but I've noticed this in UOAs too. If it wasn't for that, I would trust this oil. I'm a Mobil fan and I admit it, but yet the iron does concern me. Still, the 0w40 version of M1 seems a cut above the traditional grades of M1 which seem just like an average (same thing) next to their competitors.
THIRD and final choice ...
Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 Euro Formula. The drawback? I have no evidence or UOA to tell me this would do any better. This oil I guess is the long time Shell Ultra 5w40 that was available in the rest of world. Therefore, it's probably not some new great breakthrough as the traditional grade Ultras seem to be. I don't even know the TBN, additives, etc. It would just be a "gut," thing to choose this oil.
Therefore, there are my three choices.
What would make the most sense? I suppose if I want to experiment I could try M1 0w40 the next time and then try Penn Ultra. After that, I would have more information and could always go back to Formula M.
I almost think sticking with Formula M is the easiest since the dealer just fills it up from the machine, no fuss, no special request. However, what about the low TBN? Calcium is also low in the analysis.
Many thanks.
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