Engine Oil brands - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bens lover · #1 10-04-2006, 10:58 AM

My question is very simple.
On the Turbo Engine I use a 15W40 oil.But is there i recomemded brand?
Im tempted to use the Rotela by Shell oil.
I have a 1983 300SD
Best regards
Dan
Vancouver BC

#2 10-04-2006, 11:07 AM

It does not matter.

If you follow MB's recommendations on weight of oil (which you are) the brand makes no difference. None. Don't let the "oil Nazis" or clever marketing/branding fool you. Oil is oil. If you change it hot and change it often it does not matter what brand you use.

FYI - I use Rotella as well. It is cheap and readily available at WalMart. I pick up two gallon jugs there every couple months.

SD Blue · #3 10-04-2006, 11:28 AM

The only thing you need to look for is an oil with diesel rating: CH-4, CI, etc....
(I believe I have read that turbos should use at least CH-4.) I have read that the diesel rating shows that there is an additive for soot suspension.

So yes, the Rotella is fine, as are many, many other brands. Many of which, probably come off the same factory bottling lines.

#4 10-04-2006, 11:59 AM

I don't agree that there is no difference, but any oil of the correct weight with a diesel rating will meet the minimum requirements. Rotella 15W40 is fine.

Bens lover · #5 10-04-2006, 12:41 PM

Thank's so much for the input guy's
Its all noted
Best Regards
Dan

uberwgn · #6 10-04-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I don't agree that there is no difference

X2.

Some of the API diesel oils have much higher NOACK values compared to a 229.5 oil. They're not all the same.

F18 · #7 10-04-2006, 01:32 PM

As long as the oil has a Diesel Engine API rating it should be fine (ie.CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF & CF-4. The 15W40 weight oil was developed for diesels....I don't think there is a single brand out there in this weight that does not meet the API Diesel Service Requirement which is backed up by all the diesel truck,tractor, marine engine and diesel auto makers.
Rotella is a brand thats readily available in the US and Canada and its reasonably priced. For winter I like blending Rotella 15W40 with their 5W40 synthetic which is also Diesel Rated. Having some 5w-40 synthetic in there helps with cold starts in winter conditions.....just a little better cold flow characteristics.
Cheers,

d.delano · #8 10-04-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwgn

X2.

Some of the API diesel oils have much higher NOACK values compared to a 229.5 oil. They're not all the same.

X3

Saying oil is oil is giving sloppy advice. Oils are rated differently, have different soot protection levels, different lubricity levels, different additive packages and TBNs, different shear numbers, etc. This data adds up to tell you whether the oil is going to go the distance for you or not. They're not all the same.
I use the best I can get so I can extend the drain intervals a little bit while providing my car with the most advanced protection possible as I look toward
taking the car to 500k and hopefully beyond. I care about my car. I drive the crap out of it but I maintain it very well and good oil is one of the things it always gets without question.
If you are religious about the 3k interval, any CH-4 rated oil of your choice will provide at least the minimum amount of protection however.

vstech · #9 10-04-2006, 01:46 PM

Rotella synthetic is really a blend right? Mobil 1 5W40 and 15w50 are true full synthetic oils right? this makes them better at handling shear loads and soot control...
as long as the oil meets the requirements of the motor, and is changed frequently enough, with filter changes, the MB will outlast you.
John

uberwgn · #10 10-04-2006, 02:28 PM

Shell Rotella syn is Group III oil that originated as a petro product. M1 5w40, 0w40, 15W50, etc. are all GroupIV/V blends. Both can be described as "synthetic" in North America.

Personally, I stick with a mfr- or ACEA-speced lube in all vehicles.

aklim · #11 10-04-2006, 02:35 PM

Don;t know but a diesel mag seemed to think that Shell Rotella was better than most other brands when it came to sludge control.

vstech · #12 10-04-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Don;t know but a diesel mag seemed to think that Shell Rotella was better than most other brands when it came to sludge control.

best sludge control is changing the oil on time!

F18 · #13 10-04-2006, 06:03 PM

Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 is a Full 100% synthetic motor oil (dark blue bottle)
Check the specs of all Shell Rotella Oils at www.rotella.com
Even when using synthetics... I think frequent oil changes has kept all my vehicles going for a long long time. Forget 10K to 15K on synthetic oil....thats just asking for a premature rebuild.

#14 10-04-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 is a Full 100% synthetic motor oil (dark blue bottle)

It's a "fake" synthetic oil. It uses Group-III base oil. (Google it)

H-townbenzoboy · #15 10-04-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 is a Full 100% synthetic motor oil (dark blue bottle)

Actually, it isn't. It's a tier 3 hydrocracked oil, not a tier 4 like Amsoil or Mobil 1.

Here's a list of MB's approved oils.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html