Madness around Euro certifications

[MaximaGuy]

Well any investment into a new vehicle goes with enough research and likability. MB is right up there w/o a doubt.
The one thing I don't get isn't the US specs work on these vehicles, I bet there is a difference but if a vehicle is sold in America, it better be tot he standards here. Not knowing how these specs can be different from US specs is a learning curve most of us wouldn't want to do, incl. me.

Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

So there's no Walmart in Austin? Advance Auto Parts? AutoZone? Carquest? NAPA? O'Reilly? Rural King?

The Euro oils are right there, two spots over from all the other oils.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

There should be one oil standard world wide. This is all just a bunch of BS!

 

[slo town]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Well any investment into a new vehicle goes with enough research and likability. MB is right up there w/o a doubt.
The one thing I don't get isn't the US specs work on these vehicles, I bet there is a difference but if a vehicle is sold in America, it better be tot he standards here. Not knowing how these specs can be different from US specs is a learning curve most of us wouldn't want to do, incl. me.

Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

As roofless said, the proper Euro spec'd oils are available everywhere and they are no more expensive than any other quality oil.

Walmart has two MB 229.5 approved oils; Castrol and Mobil 1 0W-40. The Castrol 0W-40 is the same price as the Castrol 5w30 used in many domestics. Both are ~$5.50 per quart.

https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=castrol 0w-40
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=castrol 5w30

You can't possibly be serious with your comment that your MB should use domestic oils just because it's sold here in the US. Just wait until you pay for service or a repair on that MB! $$$$$$$ It's going to cost far more than service or repair work on a Chevy Equinox!

Scott

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson
There should be one oil standard world wide. This is all just a bunch of BS!



There is just one oil standard worldwide, Johnny. The one your vehicle manufacturer says to use!

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson
There should be one oil standard world wide. This is all just a bunch of BS!



Just like there should just be one standard car?

 

[ka9mnx]

Originally Posted by 1JZ_E46
I feel the opposite way. I really like all of the various approvals. It guarantees a level of quality for the oil going in your engine far and above the baseline standards (API or ACEA). Takes the guesswork out of oil selection.

Well said...

 

[Kamele0N]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Folks:

The MB in the signature has been my first and possibly the last Euro vehicle.
What is this madness in certifications around these Euro vehicles, why all this numbering schemes and each one has their own.
Here its so simple choose the weight and you are done and come up with a 5K dino or 10K syn OCI and done. I haven't heard any American vehicle die or sludge out with the oils having sat on this forum forever.


Cheers


Before my BITOG days I have never heard of terms like "piston slap" or "stuck rings".... We just dont have this kind of problems here in EU...and I personally think that this is due to better oils over here...

And dont forget that our engines are under more stress since we have turbos...downsizing...longer OCIs...


But at the end... It is your decision if you are satisfied with your domestic API / ILSAC "know how"...

 

[CT8]

lots of people in the US do not care for their cars. How many posts on BITOG are I need to clean the sludge from my engine?

 

[MaximaGuy]

Originally Posted by CT8
How many posts on BITOG are I need to clean the sludge from my engine?


Saw ONE post in the many years in the forum and that was because the owner "wasn't told" oil changes are necessary.

In any event, as most replies have said finding it isn't that easy, I had to order mine from Costco ( and I don't pay $6-$8 for the same oil from Advance Auto, Autozone etc. these folks shouldn't sell oil because there are $1/$2 higher than Walmart).

 

[fdcg27]

Most manufacturers certs are built around common ones like A3/B4.
You could in most applications simply use an oil that meet this spec without paying too much attention to the flavoring added by any given maker.

 

[HangFire]

Just a reminder, Walmart has ship to store service for free. Costco works too.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Originally Posted by CT8
How many posts on BITOG are I need to clean the sludge from my engine?


Saw ONE post in the many years in the forum and that was because the owner "wasn't told" oil changes are necessary.

In any event, as most replies have said finding it isn't that easy, I had to order mine from Costco ( and I don't pay $6-$8 for the same oil from Advance Auto, Autozone etc. these folks shouldn't sell oil because there are $1/$2 higher than Walmart).

How many Wal Mart's Austin has?

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Well any investment into a new vehicle goes with enough research and likability. MB is right up there w/o a doubt.
The one thing I don't get isn't the US specs work on these vehicles, I bet there is a difference but if a vehicle is sold in America, it better be tot he standards here. Not knowing how these specs can be different from US specs is a learning curve most of us wouldn't want to do, incl. me.

Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

They easily meet those standards. All Euro oils easily meet API standards. Costco olive oil meets API standards.
On other hand, American standard is not as stringent as standard used by Mercedes, BMW, VW etc.
So, you want in your car oil of lesser quality basically?

 

[RooflessVW]

Originally Posted by HangFire
Just a reminder, Walmart has ship to store service for free. Costco works too.

Walmart will ship it to your house for free!

Honestly, it sounds like MaximaGuy has a bit of buyer's remorse and should have stayed in a Maxima.

But those CVTs need a special fluid too, so...

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Originally Posted by edyvw
How many Wal Mart's Austin has?


I've been to at least 3 WMs in the Austin area, and I've only visited the area for business. A quick Google search shows at least 11 WMs??

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Well any investment into a new vehicle goes with enough research and likability. MB is right up there w/o a doubt.
The one thing I don't get isn't the US specs work on these vehicles, I bet there is a difference but if a vehicle is sold in America, it better be tot he standards here. Not knowing how these specs can be different from US specs is a learning curve most of us wouldn't want to do, incl. me.

Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

They easily meet those standards. All Euro oils easily meet API standards. Costco olive oil meets API standards.
On other hand, American standard is not as stringent as standard used by Mercedes, BMW, VW etc.
So, you want in your car oil of lesser quality basically?


While everything you've written might be true, American and Asian makers build engines that rival Europe's best in specific output, last at least as long and typically longer while meeting more stringent emissions standards and they do so on nothing more than API spec oils.
The oil specs don't appear to be the problem.
Could be inferior engineering, materials selection and manufacturing making an extra special oil necessary.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by fdcg27
Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by MaximaGuy
Well any investment into a new vehicle goes with enough research and likability. MB is right up there w/o a doubt.
The one thing I don't get isn't the US specs work on these vehicles, I bet there is a difference but if a vehicle is sold in America, it better be tot he standards here. Not knowing how these specs can be different from US specs is a learning curve most of us wouldn't want to do, incl. me.

Yes, Euro oils are avaiable but they aren't locally available like the uS speced fluids.

They easily meet those standards. All Euro oils easily meet API standards. Costco olive oil meets API standards.
On other hand, American standard is not as stringent as standard used by Mercedes, BMW, VW etc.
So, you want in your car oil of lesser quality basically?


While everything you've written might be true, American and Asian makers build engines that rival Europe's best in specific output, last at least as long and typically longer while meeting more stringent emissions standards and they do so on nothing more than API spec oils.
The oil specs don't appear to be the problem.
Could be inferior engineering, materials selection and manufacturing making an extra special oil necessary.

Really, so do show us Lexus engine in GLE category that rivals MB engines? What Lexus engine rival current MB 3 liter twin turbo?

 

[1JZ_E46]

German engine issues are almost always plastic/rubber related. For whatever reason, they can't figure out how to make a decent gasket or seal to save their lives.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by HangFire
Just a reminder, Walmart has ship to store service for free. Costco works too.

Walmart will ship it to your house for free!

Honestly, it sounds like MaximaGuy has a bit of buyer's remorse and should have stayed in a Maxima.

But those CVTs need a special fluid too, so...