Mercedes M274.910 1.6 Engine oil choice - advice and chat welcome

Joined
Mar 20, 2015
Messages
79
Location
London ENGLAND
I just bought a cheap Mercedes with the M274.910 1.6T engine on 110k miles and immediately bought some oil on clearance to do my first oil change without much thought.

I got PETRONAS Syntium 3000 AV 5W-40 which even has the Mercedes logo on the bottle :cool:.

Specifications:​

Meets or exceeds the requirements of:
  • API SN
  • ACEA C3
Has the following manufacturer approvals:
  • GM Dexos 2
  • Mercedes-Benz MB-Approval 229.51
  • VW 502 00 / 505 01
  • Porsche A40
  • Renault RN0700 / RN0710
Meets or exceeds the following manufacturer requirements:
  • FCA 955535-S2
  • Ford WSS-M2C917-A

However, when I look up the vehicle on Petronas website, this oil doesn't get suggested. In fact, I get a whole range of viscosities and specs across different look ups websites. The website that I trust the most comes back with MB-Approval 229.3 5w40 for this vehicle in the UK market.

I plan on doing max 5k OCI, and this first oil change might just be a "flush" and I'll change it again after 1k miles.

The vehicle manual is pretty non-descript too (see attached), basically says use whatever you like in mild climates.

So, any thoughts? Does it even matter with a short OCI, or should I just get whatever has a good price at the next oil change? Should I opt for low-SAPS, or is C3 mid-SAPS fine, with a direct injection, turbo, timing chain driven engine?

Looking through the previous owner paperwork, its had 5w30 and 5w40 used throughout its life, with the last two oil changes at Mercedes Benz invoices stating 229.5 and 229.52 respectively - but they don't state the viscosity.

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PXL_20250522_091909850.webp


PXL_20250522_082706540.webp


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The invoices don't state viscosity (grade) because with a specific approval that's pretty irrelevant. The approvals allow certain grades but it's a minimum HT/HS that's dictated by the approval.

Use any of the ones that are listed. 229.5 is probably the least expensive, but if that Petronas product is inexpensive and easy to obtain, then use that.
 
I suppose I'm just coming from Toyota land where there aren't specific approvals. Good to know.

The Petronas was on promotion, so maybe I'll stock up.

Thanks.
 
"I just bought a cheap Mercedes"

I did that once also, a 300se. Turned out to be the most expensive vehicle I've ever owned.
Haha, I need to make up for the years of driving Toyotas/Lexus. No seriously, I think these C180s are so basic that I think I can keep it going and DIY fix anything that crops up. Being in the UK means access to euro parts is cheap/straightforward, and being such a common car there is good aftermarket support. Time will tell, I am prepared for the worst.
 
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