To the North Carolina Members... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Oldwolf · #1 12-10-2010, 09:14 AM

With this cold snap in NC how many of you guys are still running 15W40 in your Benz? Had any starting problems? I have 15W40 in mine but I've been using my block heater in the mornings. Next week we will see 15F where I live (Raleigh).

vstech · #2 12-10-2010, 09:30 AM

nope. 5w40 rotella and mobil1 only in my beasts.

mach0415 · #3 12-12-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

nope. 5w40 rotella and mobil1 only in my beasts.

x2 - BIG difference

winmutt · #4 12-10-2010, 09:31 AM

I use 5w40 in all my cars summer and winter.

muleears · #5 12-10-2010, 09:57 AM

I'm only about 30 miles north of your border and I have 15-40 in both of mine. Both have been starting well, down to 14*. Both are on block heaters though.

toomany MBZ · #6 12-10-2010, 10:32 AM

15W40 Rotella year 'round, I haven't had the block heater plugged in for years.

There isn't any way to do that at work, so it's gotta start after sitting 8 hours in the cold.

It was one of those cold days I found out I needed a new starter.

thayer · #7 12-10-2010, 11:15 AM

15w40 dino rotella. Mean leak in either the front or rear seal. Don't want to pay for synthetic oil changes every 2500 to 3000 miles. Block Heater timed to 4am. fires right up.

I put 0w30 in my e320 though...Seems great. 5k changes take much longer to get to

vstech · #8 12-10-2010, 11:21 AM

heh, on the 320, I'd just change the filter every 3K, and go 10K between oil changes. notice the color of the oil at 5k, still pretty clear and amber colored. new filter at the 3K mark should be fine!

vstech · #9 12-10-2010, 11:23 AM

I'm still debating what is best OCI on the SD, I think with a top of the line oil filter, and good oil stock, the filter change at 3K along with perhaps draining a quart and filling with fresh should prolong the oil for a bit.

Brian Carlton · #10 12-10-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I'm still debating what is best OCI on the SD, I think with a top of the line oil filter, and good oil stock, the filter change at 3K along with perhaps draining a quart and filling with fresh should prolong the oil for a bit.

5K is perfectly good on the SD for oil and filter with 5W40. The soot is just approaching 1%.

pmckechnie · #11 12-10-2010, 05:21 PM

I run 15W-50 Mobil 1 year round in the 300D. No block heater, and no problem here in the Charlotte area.

Paul

#12 12-12-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

5K is perfectly good on the SD for oil and filter with 5W40. The soot is just approaching 1%.

Same here, I've been using a 5k mile interval for the 616/617 for years with M1 5W40.

I need to figure out what I'm going to do with the "new" 113 engine. I suspect it will end up being done based on time because my wife usually only drives 5-10k miles per year. I had my Indy do all the fluids last week because I didn't have any records.

Oldwolf · #13 12-13-2010, 11:37 AM

Could also use Rotella T5 10W30 or 10W40 in the winter, at least my old manual says so.

pmckechnie · #14 12-13-2010, 01:24 PM

You know, we all can learn a lot just by reading these oil threads. For instance, 10K oil changes are fine when using syn oil. Thats great to know. I just figured out that I only need to change my oil (in the 300D) every 17 years. I only drive it 2.2 miles per day. SO I can just forget about changine it every year at 580 miles.
So in real life, mileage has very little to do with oil changes. What is more important is how many cold startup, number of miles driven with engine cold, and how many miles driven with warmed up engine.. For instance, if you drive from coast to coast 2 times per week, then 10K or possibly more is fine. At the other end of the scale, oil changes every 300 miles (every 6 months) is ok if you drive 22 days per month and the engine never gets warm.
Each person needs to look at how they drive their car and adjust as needed.
For instance, if you drive 5 miles to work and 5 miles home, and that is all, then changing at 2500 miles (6mo) is more in line. Saying things like "I drive mostly interstate and I have my oil tested at 10K and the soot levels are only about 1 %" is good information. Saying "I change my oil every 10K and every thing seems fine" is NOT good information.
For your information, I change the oil in each of my cars every 6 months or less. That could be less than 500 miles on the 300D or as much as 2500 miles on the 500SEL.
Paul

vstech · #15 12-14-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldwolf

Could also use Rotella T5 10W30 or 10W40 in the winter, at least my old manual says so.

I sure wish the array of oils listed in that pic were still available for a diesel!
5w50? never heard of it.
5w30 in a diesel rated oil? not in a long time.
I'm sure the T5 would be fine in 10w40 weight, but I'd not try the 10w30 unless it's REALLY cold! and then only for minimal driving.