Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-11-2002, 03:42 PM
Vronsky's Avatar
Enemy combatant
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Amsterdam, Old Europe
Posts: 841
20W50: all season oil?

Am considering replacing standard 15W40 oil with 20W50 on my 120K W124 to suppress oil consumption.
Is 20W50, however, an all season oil? (moderate climate here...)

Cheers!

__________________
2011 Prius
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-11-2002, 03:50 PM
Keith Lucy
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Depends on where you live...

My 560SEL manual says that 20W-50 is suitable for temps above 0 degrees C. So if you live in southern Europe, you might be OK.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-11-2002, 05:47 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 352
20W50 is good for a warm-hot "Mediterranean" climate.Definitely do not use 20w50 if you park your car outside. Once you park your car outside the engine is really cold thus impeding cold startup oil flow. You dont mention if you have a 300E but MB used 20W50 since day 1 even in cold climates.

Another way to determine what viscosity is best for you is monitoring your oil pressure gauge. If you see it goes down to 1 after a couple of minutes then use a heavier weight. If you mostly take the car on freeways use 20W50 but if it is a short trip car, use less viscosity. The m103 has an iron block thus it is hotter than your standars Al engine, so dont use a 5w20 or anything silly like that.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-12-2002, 08:29 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Tucker, Ga USA
Posts: 12,153
20W-50 was the most popular weight of oil 20 years ago!! But todays engines are built so much tighter that you need a lighter oil. Also the most wear that engines have happens durning warm-up so if you stay with a lighter oil then the engine will last longer.
IF you want a good that is rated for 100+F outside temps then use a 5W-50 OR 10W-50.
__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-12-2002, 10:13 AM
Vronsky's Avatar
Enemy combatant
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Amsterdam, Old Europe
Posts: 841
Thanks all,
Temps here range from 15F to 85F max.
Engine uses one quart per 1000m, and uses standard 15W40 oil (Castrol). Cause of consumption is unclear: no blue smoke, dry plugs, no leakage, max oil pressure. The idea behind 20W50 is that this thicker oil is better contained inside the oil system of a 120K mileage engine, compared to the thinner 15W40.
However, if 20W50 is for sunshine states only, its of no use to me in view of the climate. It will be clear to you, that I don't understand the multigrade system...

What type of (mineral) oil is thicker than 15W40, and has the multigrade viscosity that fits the temp range where I live (The Netherlands)?

Cheers!

__________________
2011 Prius
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page