Castrol Syntech 0W-30 (made in Germany), Pennzoil European formula and Amsoil all get great reviews and strong used oil analyses on bobistheoilguy.com forum.

 

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils - Motor Oils That Are Designed, Not Refined

This is where you can order and find info. I can usually find Amsoil through CarQuest or several other auto parts stores. I will use the 5W-40 in the Texas summer, and switch back to 0W-40 in the winter months.

 

Olive......

 

Am I reading correctly that Mobil1 0W-40 is the only oil approved for use in AMG engines?

 

Hi Stan, does the term "fleece filter" describe the filter media, and would this be a dealer only item? I have a 2005.
Art Rigsby

 

Hi Stan, does the term "fleece filter" describe the filter media, and would this be a dealer only item? I have a 2005.
Art Rigsby

Art,
Yes, fleece is inside or lines the filter. Some are all paper and some have fleece. Usually find filters on eBay, Benz dealer, Chrysler dealer. I have always bought mine off of eBay.
Stan

 

I stopped in Advance Auto Parts today, they had a "repackaged" (best way to describe) Mann fleece filter, made in Germany. Cost $11.15 + tx..
Purolator #L25277. I am in touch with Valvoline on the use of their 100% synthetic oil. They say its OK to use in M-B engines and complies with their requirements. I asked them to verify that statement, as they don't make a 0W-40 oil. I'll keep you posted if you like.
Art Rigsby

 

No offense, but I don't care what any oil manufacturer says. I would only use what MB recommends and not take the oil manufacturers word for it. We have a pretty good list of brands and weights to choose from on the oil document.
Stan

 

"Am I reading correctly that Mobil1 0W-40 is the only oil approved for use in AMG engines?"

Ringmaster, it looks that way. They are also very specific in the document about US vehicles using specific oils. Model years. It also lists different oils for vehicles in other countries.
Stan Here is a direct link to the site that has the document, no need to download the pdf. http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

 

No offense taken, Stan. Valvoline has this 300K program that guarantees your engine. I signed up for my Dakota p/u with the 4.7L V8. At least it e-mails me a reminder to change my oil! I'm not worriied about oil failure with a low-tech engine.
What i'm actually doing is to see if Valvoline comes up with an excuse or proof from M-B that their oil is approved. They claimed their oil meets all manufacturers requirments, including M-B. I'm just giving them the chance to back it up (doubt it...).
Thanks for the heads-up. I'll keep you informed if you like.

Art Rigsby

 

At $5,000 miles I need to change oil. This is SRT 2nd oil change ($1,500 break-in change and now at 5,000 miles this will be second change). Like everyone else I don't want to pay dealer $120 to $150 to change oil.

I was going to pump out from above through the dip stick as described in other threads, I figure a cost of $60 with initial tool cost in range of an extra $100.

For the heck if it I check to see if Valvoline oil centers will service Crossfires. I was surprised to see all the diagrams and instructions come up on their computer. They seemed excited to work on the car. Jiffy Lub in my area will not work on crossfires, I need to verify a fleece style filter and oil weights available. The cost is $64 for up to five quarts so I figure I should be out of there around $85 and maybe less with extra oil up charge and if I find a coupon.

I know this is not the recommended Mobile 1 but I find it hard to believe it's a big issue if I use a quality synthetic. The Valvoline guarantee of 300,000 miles would seem to hedge what I believe is a low risk.
300,000 Mile Engine Guarantee Qualifying Products:

Valvoline SynPowerŽ Full Synthetic Motor Oil

• Provides Valvoline’s best protection against heat, deposits and wear
• Extra detergents provide maximum sludge and deposit protection
• Special additives protect against friction and wear

Decisions Decisions

 

Sorry to be repeatiing myself, been a long day!

Art

 

I bet they would not stand behind it when they find that that weight was not recommended by the manufacturer of our cars. Sure they want to sell oil changes but they are just the guys behind the counters.

 

I use Mobil 1 in all my engines (cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers), manual tranmissions, diferentials .no failures.. Change engine oil annually. Mobil 1 is a consistent product I can rely on. GaryM

 

Hi, I heard from Valvoline today:

Thank you for contacting Valvoline’s Engine Guarantee program.

Unfortunately Valvoline does not make the oil that is recommended by your manufacturer. We always encourage consumers to use products that their manufacturers advise to use. Valvoline is currently working to increase the product line and we hope to offer your recommended weight of oil in the future.



Sincerely,

Alexsandra
Valvoline Engine Guarantee
Customer Care Specialist

Too bad, the 300K mile guarantee may have been a nice feature and didn't cost a thing...........

Art Rigsby

 

This is what I thought. You would not have a chance as would they say, we don't make what is recommened so they would not stand behind it. This is why I did not change over to Amsoil. I really believe it is about the best you can buy but that told me themselves that ....I have something that would work.....but..... so you are better staying with 0W40 until someone else offers a 0W40.

 

I didn't think they would recommend an alternate. They e-mail oilchange reminders which is handy. I doubt if their exposure is that great as engine failures due to lubrication oil failure is slim at best if oil change intervals and recommended grades are carefully followed.

Art Rigsby

 

IMHO my worrie would be that amsoil would have more "detergent" in it and cause it clean "to well". What i mean by that is after a motor starts to get some miles on it small debrise will build around seals and can help to prevent leaks. So if amsoil cleans all those particals out then you may start to see leaks. It may seem far fetched to some but i have seen it. I am a fan of both oils. But in this case i would stick with mobil1.

 

Any pattern to what the dealers are using? I'm in the same boat as someone replying earlier ie I only do about 3500 mi/yr, so my oil changes are annual and i'm not due until Nov. Does anyone know of dealers NOT using Mobil1 0W40? I assumed that if the dealer did the oil change then the proper products would be used. (naive???)

 

I use Amsoil in all my vehicles. I don't have a supportable reason for doing so. It seems to work well. My vehicles seem to like it - especially my bikes, which seem to run and shift different/better with Amsoil. I'm bad about going too long between oil changes, but I still get triple digit mileage (I usually get rid of my Grand Cherokee's when they get over 250,000 miles on them).