In browsing the Amsoil website I noticed the Series 2000 0w30 is said to meet the MB 229.5 spec yet the information I received with my 2006 Benz makes no mention of Amsoil products in the "approved lubricants" brochure. A call to the Mercedes-Benz tech line also revealed that Amsoil is not on their list of approved lubricants. The only 229.5 oils I can find here in the states is Mobil 1 0w-40 and one grade made by ELF. I have a quart of Mobil 1 to use for top-offs but would like to know of other alternative oils. Please comment. Thank you!
Question for the Amsoil guys
- Thread starter WOOCHOW
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WOOHCOW,
The "Approved Products" list is not the same worldwide. For example, certain Amsoil formulations have appeared on the Approved list in Australia from what I understand. The "Approved Products" list is not all inclusive.
What 2006 model do you have?
-brian
The "Approved Products" list is not the same worldwide. For example, certain Amsoil formulations have appeared on the Approved list in Australia from what I understand. The "Approved Products" list is not all inclusive.
What 2006 model do you have?
-brian
Hi Brian, I am fortunate enough to have purchased an SL500. I reluctantly traded my E320CDI.
I'm at work right now and don't have the link to the MB site that lists approved oils. Anyone have that?
I don't think 0w30 is listed by MB. I know several are for 229.3, like the 5w30 ASL and 10w30 ATM and HDD 5w30.
EDIT - And the 5W-40 AFL is 229.51 listed.
I don't think 0w30 is listed by MB. I know several are for 229.3, like the 5w30 ASL and 10w30 ATM and HDD 5w30.
EDIT - And the 5W-40 AFL is 229.51 listed.
Thanks Andy - that'll do great!
My follow-up question for WOOCHOW: Is 229.51 OK for your SL500?
My follow-up question for WOOCHOW: Is 229.51 OK for your SL500?
WOOCHOW,
The Mercedes requirements haven't changed that much over the past few years. They are primarly looking for high HTHS (>= 3.5) oils. For example, all of those xw-30 oils are B3/B4 rated. Most xw-30 oils in the U.S. are lower HTHS (< 3.5). Therefore, the easiest oils to locate in the U.S. that meet the specs are synthetic xw-40 oils. If I had this engine I would use Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 or Amsoil AME 15w40 or even Chevron Delo 400 15w40 and ignore the FSS. The exception is the .51 type specs which are came out with the diesel particulate filters, which your car does not have. Contrary to many's beliefs, the motors are not going to melt using Castrol GTX 20w-50! I have seen one ML320 with 280,000 or more miles using 20w-50 bulk oil changed every 3,000 miles.
Brian
The Mercedes requirements haven't changed that much over the past few years. They are primarly looking for high HTHS (>= 3.5) oils. For example, all of those xw-30 oils are B3/B4 rated. Most xw-30 oils in the U.S. are lower HTHS (< 3.5). Therefore, the easiest oils to locate in the U.S. that meet the specs are synthetic xw-40 oils. If I had this engine I would use Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 or Amsoil AME 15w40 or even Chevron Delo 400 15w40 and ignore the FSS. The exception is the .51 type specs which are came out with the diesel particulate filters, which your car does not have. Contrary to many's beliefs, the motors are not going to melt using Castrol GTX 20w-50! I have seen one ML320 with 280,000 or more miles using 20w-50 bulk oil changed every 3,000 miles.
Brian
Amsoil is using a chemistry that has been tested by their additive supplier (most likely Lubrizol) to meet the MB 229.5 specification. However they don't normally submit their oils to the European OEM's to get on their approved lists, hence the disconnect.
The primary reason for not getting on these approved lists is that it essentially locks you into a particular formulation. If Amsoil wanted to change basestock suppliers and/or additive chemistries, they'd have to repeat all the testing. As a result, independent manufacturers like Amsoil and Redline rarely bother with this process. They'd rather have the flexibility to upgrade their products as they see fit and avoid exclusive supplier arrangements.
I have no problem with this idea, but it does seem to bother some folks.
TS
The primary reason for not getting on these approved lists is that it essentially locks you into a particular formulation. If Amsoil wanted to change basestock suppliers and/or additive chemistries, they'd have to repeat all the testing. As a result, independent manufacturers like Amsoil and Redline rarely bother with this process. They'd rather have the flexibility to upgrade their products as they see fit and avoid exclusive supplier arrangements.
I have no problem with this idea, but it does seem to bother some folks.
TS
Thanks all. My car has the "old" 5 liter V8 so it might do well with a variety of oils-with it being in the infancy of the warantee, I would like to use an approved oil although I am a true believer in Delvac 1. There is no way I can go the full 13,000 miles that Mercedes recommends because I just don't put the mileage on the car. I'll probably have 3000 miles on it when I change the oil and store it for the winter. I have enough Mobil 1 0w-40 for the first change(dealer sold it to me for $4.25 a quart-must have made enough money selling me the rust-bucket that he could give me a deal on the oil) But I need to know what direction to go after that-At one oilchange per year it's not really price dependant, but I'm not a rich guy, I just spend too much money on cars, so I look at price as a variable. Thanks for the input.
Last I heard Mercedes says 2 years on the oil is OK. I don't really understand the point of your post if you are going to stick with what's in the Approved Products List booklet. I think the list suggests that if 229.5 is not available, then B3/B4 or A3/B4 is suitable, and if that's not available, then SL/CI-4+? My APL dates to 11/2001 and I believe that it what is said.
-brian
-brian
If I had an 06 Benz and the local dealer liked Mobil 1 0W-40 as the 'approved oil'...I'd use it for a while during my warranty period.
I might not go 1 year / 13,000 miles... more likely 6 months / 5000 miles.
A little further into ownership, I'd have researched and tested whatever the 'best' oil is for this motor and usage.
I might not go 1 year / 13,000 miles... more likely 6 months / 5000 miles.
A little further into ownership, I'd have researched and tested whatever the 'best' oil is for this motor and usage.
brian, one of the reasons for my post is that I (and others) derive enjoyment about talking about and gaining insight into oils. While I may lean toward using an "approved oil" while the car is new, I am always open to opinions on different oils-it's fun.
Woochow,
If you rarely drive this thing, a diesel formulated, SL/CI-4+ oil will probably give you better protection from rust/corrosion, from the oil analysis data I've seen. Delvac 1 would be a wonderful choice if you didn't care about 229.5 and were running shorter intervals.
TS
If you rarely drive this thing, a diesel formulated, SL/CI-4+ oil will probably give you better protection from rust/corrosion, from the oil analysis data I've seen. Delvac 1 would be a wonderful choice if you didn't care about 229.5 and were running shorter intervals.
TS
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