I went to the Mercedes dealership and picked up a filter (which was about $10 cheaper than Chrysler) and the guy asked me what kind of oil I was putting in there. I told him, and he said Mercedes now uses 5w-40 in everything except the SLR. It still uses 0w-40. Did anyone already comes across this? I'm going to call Chrysler just to see if they have switched as well

 

I usually get my SRT6 serviced at my local MB Dealer and for the past two years, they've used the 5W40 when doing my oil changes. I see no difference in performance and it appears to perform as prior to the new oil weight.
Dennis
DTMenace

 

Now I'm confused...I just spoke with my friend, who is a Merc tech in Baton Rouge and he says that they still use 0w-40 and only use 5w-40 in their diesel cars...I'm not sure what to think. I guess you can use both.

 

The car doesn't need a specific weight of oil, it needs an oil that meets the MB 229.3 or 229.5 oil specs.

Oil weights that meet this spec vary:

0W-40 is very popular with Mobil 1.
5W-40 is second most popular, with Pennzoil Ultra, Castrol Syntec and Valvoline SynPower having Euro formulas.
There are even 5W-30 and 0W-30 versions available from Castrol that meet these specs.

The individual dealers are allowed to order whatever oil they want from their distributors. Some just buy Mobil 1, and use that. Others buy Pennzoil or Castrol and put that into your engines.

All of it works just as well as everything else.

BC.

 

You're right, BC. I'm using Castrol Syntec 0W-30, European Formula. On the back of the bottle it says it's approved for MB 229.1, 229.3 and 229.5.

Tom

 

I agree, oil is oil and as long as it is good oil you would not notice any difference in the short term. Long term may be another story with sludge etc.
Anyone who says he/she can feel a seat of pants change is probably fooling themselves.
Using a totally inappropriate oil is a different story.

 

I go by the MB 229.3 / 229.5 designators. Now, I have only found those designators on 0W40 and a few 5W30/40's.

From what I've seen on MB's tech website, Mobile 1 0W40 actually provides better high temp viscosity than any other oil - so I'm sticking with it.

 

I've only been using the Amsoil 5w-40 in my Crossfire, no complaints here.

 

BC, good information. I just went to my garage and the Mobil1 0w-40 is MB-229.5 while the Mobil1 0w-30 (green cap) is not. Anyone know the difference other than the lower viscosity when cold? I'm pretty sure that since I don't race these and change the oil annually (usually with 3-5k miles on it), I doubt I am at risk for sludge or damage.

 

I would probably like to stick with the 0w-40 but I work at a dealership and can get the 5w-40 for free...So today I'm putting in 5w-40

 

Castrol Syntec is not a true synthetic oil. You are much better off running Mobile 1 or pretty much any other oil.

Personally I would not run Syntec in any vehicle.

 

I just got a nice hookup with some Royal Purple 0W-40 through my dad. His chemical plant uses only royal purple for its lubricants. I needed to change the oil and I'm getting it at wholesale. Can't argue with that. Perfect timing.

 

I am now using 10/40 Mobil 1. Made for Diesel. More Zinc. my cost is $20 for a four qt. Bottle. I have full confidence in it. Gary

 

I agree. Oil is oil for the most part. here in MN, I'd be using 0-40 all the time IF i was running the car daily in the winter which I'm not. The thinner oil in the cold temps, combined with the tight tolerances is a good thing IMO over the long haul. So having said that, and we have wild higher temp swings up here, I'm absolutely not concerned one way or the other for using 5W-40 for my use, because I run it maybe for 15 minutes a month in the winter, but all the time in the summer, and the slightly thicker oil is IMO better for the car, and the 40 has a better range all around. next year, and I only do 1 change a year, 6-8K a year, will be the 5W, but of course full syn.

 

Castrol and Mobil had a discussion about this many many years ago, and the end result was that Castrol IS synthetic engine oil.

Plus, there are a few different versions of Castrol's Syntec oil now a days.
I'm talking about the German Castrol 0W-30, and the Syntec 5W-40 versions, both of which meet MB's specs, and should be fairly easy to get ahold of at your local auto parts store.

Personally, I prefer to put Valvoline, Shell or Pennzoil in the vehicles I have under my care over Castrol or Mobil. The Ducati's get something even more special.

BC.

 

Stolen from Downwardspiral from the post: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...il-deal-3.html




MB 229.3 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.3) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids
MB 229.5 - Multigrade engine oils (Specification 229.5) - Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Operating Fluids

 

WOW! I didn't remember the lists being that LONG. (But so many of them are available in only selected regions... Just TRY getting Mobile 1 5W50 anywhere!)

 

There was a lawsuit over the term Synthetic oil and castrol won on based on the argument that it was a marketing term. If you look at the PAO groups used to form each oil you will see there is a difference in quality between Syntec and Mobile1. Not trying to imply that Mobile 1 is the best oil out there just that it is significantly better than Syntec.

If you have questions on oil I recommend heading over to Bobistheoilguy.com

 

(Warning: Pedantic post follows.)

Complicating this for SRT-6 owners who want to follow the rules that come with engines' AMG construction and history, not every oil that is 229.3 and/or 229.5 is acceptable for use in an AMG powerplant.


SRT-6 engine uses older style C32/SLK32 service system so the data from '98 to '04 applies.

Will you cause problems using an approved for MB but not approved for AMG oil? Probably not, but given that it doesn't cost much more to go with an approved oil, there isn't much reason to not choose one without an asterisk.

Also note this warning about the low ash oil (ESP 5W40 M1 designed for diesels.)

 

Thanks for the info