Hi, Benmack1,

If your manual is anything like the one with my late '97 C230 (4-cylinder), then no, all the instructions say is to ask the dealer. Of course they'll tell you Mobil 1 $ynthetic, which is a fine oil, but pricey.

I used 15W-40 dino oil mostly on my Benzes; it's a "universal" oil, used all over the world. Brands here include Chevron Delo, Shell Rotella, and Mobil Delvac (though I think that latter is synthetic). The 20W-50 is a good oil, but it might be a bit heavy for the winter even in NC. You could do a 5W-40 synthetic like the Shell Rotella syn and get the best of both worlds, the deposit control of a diesel-rated oil -- which is also good for a gas-engined car -- and the cold flow properties of a synthetic.

How often do you plan to change the oil, and what kind of driving do you do?
.

__________________
* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino