Hi,

I am going to change my oil in my 2000 SLK Kompressor pretty soon. It's at 3,100 miles right now. I want to go to Mobil 1 due to all the good press it's been getting on this board.

I have been told to use 5w30 - is this correct? I heard that 0w30 would be better if I can find it.... can someone tell me or explain what the numbers mean? (I did a search and didn't find much). And what you would recommend for Dallas, texas. Hot, humid in summer and never below 40 deg. in winter. 3k miles with a supercharger. Which weight to use?

Thanks,

Jay

Jay,

I don't know how long you've lived in Dallas, but "never gets below 40" is not correct. We've had warm winters for the last two years, but it has gotten below 40 many times in the last two winters.

For determining oil weight, I would plan on the low twenties, keeping in mind that it can and has gotten into single digits.

My suggestion to you, would be to get out your owners manual and find the oil viscosity chart. It will give you oil weight versus temperature range information you need. Even if you don't drive very many miles, change it in the fall and spring minimum. You could change to a different weight for the winter and back to your summer weight in the spring.

It's just me, but I would get the factory oil out now, even if you are planning on longer than 3.100 mile oil change intervals. Any microscopic particulate matter that may be in it from the first few miles, you can get out by changing it now.

Good luck,
Change oil hot and change oil often,


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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