Winter is approaching in cold Michigan.

I am thinking about using a oil that gas 40 weight (hot) but either 0 or 5 weight when cold. That leaves me with a few choices:

1. Mobile 1 0W40. It is available in the US now but it is almost impossible to find at a reasonable price.

2. Vavoline 5W40. Again not easy to find.

3. BMW 5W40. Heard conflicting info from the BMW list. Some dealers sell for $3.50/qt but others for over $5. It is said to be the same as the Vavoline 5W40.

4. The diesel rated Mobile Delvac 1 5W40. It is not difficult to find.

My question is: Is it OK to use Delvac 1 5W40 in a gasoline MB? Is it better than using Mobile 1 5W30?

Thanks.

Bo

If you are planning to change your oil in early spring (which is probably a good idea), then a synthetic 5-30 will probably work best. You should be able to find Mobil at this weight! Roger

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Roger
1983 300CD 246k sold
1998 C230 52k
1980 450SL 75k needs AC
1999 Subaru Outback Ltd 43k

Why won't you consider the Mobil 1 10W30? I run 10W30 during the coldest months of the year (in my gas cars) but run 15W50 the rest of the time.

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

Michael:

The only reason is that MB only approves Mobile 1 0W40 and 15W50. I am sure 10W30, 5w30, or even 0w30 would work.

Just got a words from a local BMW dealer. They are replacing all 5W40 with 5W30 now.

If I cannot find 0W40 or 5W40, I will use 5W30.

Bo

loubapache,

I am in a similar situation as you. I prefer to use the short list of approved synthetic oils approved by MB.

My first choice would be Mobil 1 0W40 but I have not seen it at the retail stores. My next choice would be Castrol Syntek 5W50 which I can find at the retail stores.

As winter is approaching I will keep a look out for Mobil 1 0W40.

I would have considered Valvoline Synpower 5W40 but recall reading a thread that they were blacklisted by BMW.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

rjnonnie:

Castrol Syntec also comes with 10W40. I saw it in my local Wal-mart today and it is abour $18 per 5 qt container.

Speaking of the BMW-Vavoline situation. I made an inquiry to a local BMW dealer asking about the 5W40 oil they use. The reply I got is that now they have a new BMW High Performance Synthetic oil 5W30. It is $3.60 per qt. I am going to take a look at that one to see if it meets the specs MB mentions. I am sure it does.

Bo

loubapache,

I am aware of the Vastrol Syntek 10W40, however I prefer the 5W for the Chicago winters.

Last year I used Valvoline 10W40 (non-synthetic) during the winter months and discovered that the oil produced a white jell under the oil cap on short trips and the 10W40 sounded like it was a bit too thick when the temperatures got down to the single digits.

Thanks for the input regarding the pricing for synthetic oil that you found. I discovered that Target sells Mobil 1 for $3.00/qt. but I have yet to see Mobil 1 0W40.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

Ray:

<<
Target sells Mobil 1 for $3.00/qt
>>
I checked my local TArgets and the price is $4.24.

Which on one Chicago? I do come to the Westmont/Oak Brook area often.

Bo

The store in Bloomingdale IL located on Army Trail Rd. near the intersection of Schmalle. It has been about 6 months since I have been in there so I can't vouch that the price is the same.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

To answer your original question, there is nothing wrong with running Universal grade (That's what Mobil Delvac One is) in a gasoline car. These blends have more additives for keeping the inside of your engine clean. I use universal grade Chevron Delo 400 Multigrade in everything I own from tractors to pickups to diesel MB's to gasoline MB's and even my riding lawn mower. All the engines stay clean and have lasted many, many miles(except the lawn mower, it doesn't go many miles).

Good luck,

LarryBible:

Thanks. The Delvac 1 is actually Mobile's synthetic oil with 5W40. I guess they also have a universal Delvac at 15W40.

I just want to make sure. Mobile does say the Delvac 1 can be used in gas engines as it also carries the API SJ symbol along with the diesel specs.

Bo

Universal grade does not have to do with weight it is the additive blend that makes it Delvac One rather than regular one. The weights can vary in universal grade just as in the others.

Have a great day and may God bless America,

C'mon guys, can anyone really tell a difference between a 5W30 and a 10W30 synthetic during startup?

I have used a wide variety of syn and non-syn oils - Mobil and Castrol, and, while I fancy myself as very attentive and intelligent about what is going on in my engines, I can't recall hearing or feeling any difference.

I can tell you the difference between syn and non-syn on startup at -30F ... syn starts and non-syn doesn't ... try pouring 5 or 10W30 non-syn out of a can at -30F and then do the same with syn .... make sure you cold soak'em overnight outside. BIG DIFFERENCE! Mainly cause one is a lubricant still and the other is peanut butter.

Commercial over.

George Out.

__________________
George Stephenson
1991 350 SDL (200K and she ain't bent, yet)
former 2002 E320 4Matic Wagon - good car
former 1985 300 CD - great car
former 1981 300 TD - good car
former 1972 280 SEL - not so good car
a couple of those diesel Rabbits ...40-45 mpg

Would be, Lubro Moly Vollsynthese Energy - 0W-40 HD, Part # LM 2050 @ $32.00 per gallon.

You can call Phil at PartsShop to see if he can get it from his distributor, or go to this website:

www.etyparts.com/lubro%20moly%20brochures.htm

__________________

Scott Longston
Northern California Wine Country...
"Turbos whistle, grapes wine..."

Yes, the Lubro Moly is a good oil but at twice the price of other synthetic oils.

I have pretty much decided to use the BMW High Performance Synthetic oil. It exceeds both the latest SAE and European specs and costs $3.60/qt at the local BMW dealer. The dealer is using this oil in all new BMWs and the first and subsequent oil change is at around 15,000 miles (I will change at about 7,500 miles). This oil was 5W40 but now BMW replaced it with 5W30. They use this for all climate and geo-locations now.

Bo