MB229.5 alternative for low mileage
- Thread starter rjacket
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I think so if you're not concerned about your warranty.
Any premium 5w30 synthetic will work is a conservatively driven car.
Any premium 5w30 synthetic will work is a conservatively driven car.
Originally Posted By: rjacket
Is it a reasonable idea to use something other than MB229.5 oil if a Mercedes does low mileage, say 3000-5000 miles a year instead of the 10000 mile annual oci.
If no longer under warranty, I'd consider it. I'd still want to make sure that whatever oil I pick has HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP.
Is it a reasonable idea to use something other than MB229.5 oil if a Mercedes does low mileage, say 3000-5000 miles a year instead of the 10000 mile annual oci.
If no longer under warranty, I'd consider it. I'd still want to make sure that whatever oil I pick has HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: rjacket
I'd still want to make sure that whatever oil I pick has HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP.
I've yet to see any evidence that any Merc or BMW requires a heavy 30wt oil driven normally in NA.
A premium 5w30 syn' with a typical HTHSV of 3.1cP will more than satisfy the high temperature viscosity requirements.
Originally Posted By: rjacket
I'd still want to make sure that whatever oil I pick has HT/HS of at least 3.5 cP.
I've yet to see any evidence that any Merc or BMW requires a heavy 30wt oil driven normally in NA.
A premium 5w30 syn' with a typical HTHSV of 3.1cP will more than satisfy the high temperature viscosity requirements.
Based on the OPs question, I would also consider going longer than 1 year on an OC. Especially, if the oil temperatures get up periodically.
Originally Posted By: rjacket
Is it a reasonable idea to use something other than MB229.5 oil if a Mercedes does low mileage, say 3000-5000 miles a year instead of the 10000 mile annual oci.
Just feeling bad about throwing out such an expensive oil once a year.
$5.49/qt (or less) for Mobil 1 0w40 or something similar seems pretty reasonable to me. Be glad you aren't driving a BMW M car that needs 10w60 that is sold only at the dealer and costs $12.50/qt.
Is it a reasonable idea to use something other than MB229.5 oil if a Mercedes does low mileage, say 3000-5000 miles a year instead of the 10000 mile annual oci.
Just feeling bad about throwing out such an expensive oil once a year.
$5.49/qt (or less) for Mobil 1 0w40 or something similar seems pretty reasonable to me. Be glad you aren't driving a BMW M car that needs 10w60 that is sold only at the dealer and costs $12.50/qt.
Just go get some Mobil 1 0w40 on sale and be done with it.
Come on $80 a year? A bottle of Scotch costs more than that!
Come on $80 a year? A bottle of Scotch costs more than that!
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Install an oil temperature gauge, if it shows normal operating temp at 200-210F with Mobil 1 0W40 then you can safely use 1 grade thinner. If it shows normal temperature at around 180-190 with Mobil 1 0W40 for most of your trips then you can go 2 grades thinner.
I don't have oil temp gauge in my E430, but the engine was noisier 3-4 years ago than when it was new, I changed to xW20 and the thinner oil quiets it down to almost silence. But I still do 12-13k miles or 1 year OCI following the FSS (MB oil life monitor).
I don't have oil temp gauge in my E430, but the engine was noisier 3-4 years ago than when it was new, I changed to xW20 and the thinner oil quiets it down to almost silence. But I still do 12-13k miles or 1 year OCI following the FSS (MB oil life monitor).
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