Hey everyone, got a question about GC and the specs it meets. I know from the Castrol website and MB service documents that GC 0W-30 Euro formula meets their 229.5 spec. However, I have 15 bottles of GC that are in the old red label bottle, which only go up to 229.3. These don't have the 'European Formula' tag on them. The date codes on these bottles are current from Feb. 2010. Is there a difference in the formula to meet MB 229.5 from 229.3? I plan to use it in a '07 E350 I just want to be sure it is OK for warranty. Are the bottles different here in Canada? Thanks
Question about GC and MB 229.5
- Thread starter Egghaus
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Originally Posted By: Egghaus
Hey everyone, got a question about GC and the specs it meets. I know from the Castrol website and MB service documents that GC 0W-30 Euro formula meets their 229.5 spec. However, I have 15 bottles of GC that are in the old red label bottle, which only go up to 229.3. These don't have the 'European Formula' tag on them. The date codes on these bottles are current from Feb. 2010. Is there a difference in the formula to meet MB 229.5 from 229.3? I plan to use it in a '07 E350 I just want to be sure it is OK for warranty. Are the bottles different here in Canada? Thanks
229.5 is a tougher spec than 229.3. You can use a 229.5 oil in a 229.3 application, but not vice versa (according to Mercedes).
I'm surprised to hear of recently made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 without the "European Formula" label and the most up-to-date approvals. Are you sure the date code is from Feb. 2010?
If you could post pics, that would be awesome.
Hey everyone, got a question about GC and the specs it meets. I know from the Castrol website and MB service documents that GC 0W-30 Euro formula meets their 229.5 spec. However, I have 15 bottles of GC that are in the old red label bottle, which only go up to 229.3. These don't have the 'European Formula' tag on them. The date codes on these bottles are current from Feb. 2010. Is there a difference in the formula to meet MB 229.5 from 229.3? I plan to use it in a '07 E350 I just want to be sure it is OK for warranty. Are the bottles different here in Canada? Thanks
229.5 is a tougher spec than 229.3. You can use a 229.5 oil in a 229.3 application, but not vice versa (according to Mercedes).
I'm surprised to hear of recently made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 without the "European Formula" label and the most up-to-date approvals. Are you sure the date code is from Feb. 2010?
If you could post pics, that would be awesome.
The '07 E350 calls for spec 229.5. The code on the bottom of the bottle reads M100326XXXXX, which is 32nd day of 2010 correct? These bottles have the round cap and not the hex cap. I've been using GC for a few years, and I have some old empty bottles with M08XXXXX which still had the hex cap. I'll try to get a pic of the bottle.
I have GC with numbers 9117613:53. The MB APPROVAL 229.5 spec is listed
This was taken from the website. Slightly different?
SAE 0W–30:
Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30 European Formula is engineered to meet the Mercedes Benz 229.5 specification*. The 0W-30 viscosity grade is ideal for winter conditions where low temperature pumpability is required. A unique, low-temperature formulation provides exceptional pumpability in cold weather and allows for unaided engine starts down to -40ºF. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer’s warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00; MB 229.1, 229.3, 229.5; BMW LL-01; GM-LLA-025, GM-LL-B-025 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.
Revision 1/11/10
This was taken from the website. Slightly different?
SAE 0W–30:
Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30 European Formula is engineered to meet the Mercedes Benz 229.5 specification*. The 0W-30 viscosity grade is ideal for winter conditions where low temperature pumpability is required. A unique, low-temperature formulation provides exceptional pumpability in cold weather and allows for unaided engine starts down to -40ºF. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer’s warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00; MB 229.1, 229.3, 229.5; BMW LL-01; GM-LLA-025, GM-LL-B-025 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.
Revision 1/11/10
I think you have Castrol Syntec 0W30 made in USA, GC should have the "European Formula" label on front and Made in Germany on back. You want to use approved oil for warranty reason, after warranty I would use Castrol Syntec 0W30 made in USA without loosing sleep.
Yeah, does it say "Made in Germany" on the back?
Please look in the area around the white rectangle with the black bar code in it on the back of the bottle. Somewhere within an inch of so of that white rectangle it should say "made in Germany".
Please let us know if it says this.
Please let us know if it says this.
Here are some pics of the bottle;
Bottles are the same, labeling is not...at least with the batch I listed above
One would think the USA and Canadian GC would be the same...but?
One would think the USA and Canadian GC would be the same...but?
I believe that is an old stock bottle, as Porsche has not had an approved 30w in many years. Unless that has changed, which I doubt.
My guess is that it is the new formula in an old bottle.
My guess is that it is the new formula in an old bottle.
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Perhaps the bottles are old stock due to the french labelling? This is the only bottle I've seen in stores in my area (Hamilton).
FWIW, the snot green GC that ended in January 2005 did not have the MB 229.5 rating. The color changed with the 229.5 rating, so maybe buy a bottle and see what color the oil happens to be. The Porsche approval is probably just a mistake on the label.
This must be GC, but Canadian edition.
Just bought some Canadian GC, and noticed the SL rating. USA castrol web site has 0W30 with SM rating. Looks like there are dumping the old stuff on us
A new oil is born: CC, or Canadian Castrol. :-D
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Just bought some Canadian GC, and noticed the SL rating. USA castrol web site has 0W30 with SM rating. Looks like there are dumping the old stuff on us
The website is wrong, GC has never been SM rated.
Just bought some Canadian GC, and noticed the SL rating. USA castrol web site has 0W30 with SM rating. Looks like there are dumping the old stuff on us
The website is wrong, GC has never been SM rated.
Originally Posted By: glxpassat
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Just bought some Canadian GC, and noticed the SL rating. USA castrol web site has 0W30 with SM rating. Looks like there are dumping the old stuff on us
The website is wrong, GC has never been SM rated.
Correct, I must have read it wrong. My Bad
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Just bought some Canadian GC, and noticed the SL rating. USA castrol web site has 0W30 with SM rating. Looks like there are dumping the old stuff on us
The website is wrong, GC has never been SM rated.
Correct, I must have read it wrong. My Bad
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