10/40w 5/40w or 0/40w oil? Confused.. Help please.

[cazyp]

I have a 1996 c36. About to do an oil + filter change and am getting conflicting info from all around!
Local factor says it lists 10/40w semi or 5/40w for my car. Opie oil site says similar depending on which 'pack' you buy BUT most owners say 0/40w mobile 1 only...(although some say this is oil creates the tappet type noise associated with this engine?)

Any help or experience gratefully recieved!
Thanks

 

[BlackC55]

Really it should run Mobil 1 0W40. That is the oil that AMG specify. It wont give you noisey tappets.

 

[The mallard]

If you look in any car handbook it should show you that the viscosity range is partly determined by the range of ambient temperatures you expect your car to be living in. Generally if in very cold climates the 0- are used but if it warmer climates the 10- grades.

Can't remember the exact temperatures but Mobil 1 , 0-40 covers depths of UK winter to summer heatwave (if we ever get another one)

Hope this helps.

 

[ched999uk]

I may get flamed for this but the viscosity (0-40 etc.) isn't that important it's the specification of the oil that is important. i.e. look in your handbook and it will say something like MB 229.1, MB 229.3 or MB 229.5. Then look at the oil in the shop and find one that has the MB spec number your car requires or the one above.

 

[npuk]

Costco do Mobil1 0w-40 fully synthetic for petrol and diesel that meets MB229.5 at a good price.

Also Kwik Fit do a good price oil and filter change and use Mobil1. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/92578-national-tyres-oil-filter-change-bargain-3.html

 

[CRASH67]

as above its the MB sheet/number thats most important.
check hand book failing that contract a dealer or contact someone with acess to WIS to check to your chassis number

 

[grober]

Although your engine can run a 10w40 MB 229.1 semi-synthetic oil with frequent oil +filter changes say at 6,000 miles I reckon a move to a higher performance totally Synthetic 5W40 meeting MB 229.3 would be advantageous in a high performance engine like yours. That would extend the change interval usefully to 7,500-9,000 miles depending on what type of running you do. Using a totally synthetic 0W40 would certainly do no harm if you can buy it cheaply enough ?? but is probably not strictly necessary on a normally aspirated engine of that vintage.
Here's my recommendation for what its worth. http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/New-Fuchs/TITAN-SUPERSYN-SAE-5W-40.pdf

 

[cazyp]

Thanks for the replies. Certainly clarifies a few things for me. Being a vw diesel driver I'm used to a 6000 mile change as I believe diesels thankyou for it. My last passat has 479'000 on it and is still chugging along.

I'll use mobile 1 as it has a merc history with mobile 1 oil changes listed having just looked. I can get 5l at £33 + vat so compared to vw pd oil not too bad at all.

Cheers

 

[BlackC55]

It will need 7.5L give or take 100ML.

 

[kth286]

the 104 engines were reduced in service to 7.0 litres max.

no more than half way between min and max on dipstick - reduces oil leaks -

Merc TSB.