Dean,

Thanks a bunch for finding this article. You did such a good book report, I don't think I need to go find the magazine.

I've been told by several people in that business that my particular oil has a very high "Total Base Number". This is a standard test rating within that industry. I never knew that it was due to these particular additives in copius amounts. These oils offered by many manufacturers, mainly for the diesel truck and equipment market are generally called universal grades. I have my favorite brand, but there are many good ones.

Thanks for the information,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles