Actually, Quaker State is now part of Pennzoil, and probably, Pennzoil Synthetic European and Quaker State Full Synthetic 5w-40 are the same stuff based upon my review of their spec sheets. Unfortunately, my manual doesn't specify the proper oil viscosity, but other sources point to recommendations by Mercedes that any multi visc should have 40 as the upper number rather than 30 and that 5 or 10 would be better as the lower number in the temps around 0 F. I have found a few Pennzoil/ Quaker STate distributors that I will contact on Monday to see whether they can get me the smallish quantity that I need for 1 or 2 oil changes, then I'll go back to Mobil 1 15w-50 for the summer. I was really hoping that maybe someone has "spotted" the European visc of 5w-40 at a retailer in the midwest somewhere.

I would like to get away from the Mobil 1 10w-30 for the reasons I stated as well as those who added that this particular viscosity is different than the other Mobil 1 formulations, and accordingly, not approved by Mercedes.

In summary, I am looking for an easily obtainable, retail, synthetic in either 5w-40 or 10w-40 to use in my 94 E420 in the coldest Indiana months, then back to 15w-50 for the summer, with 5w-50 as my fall back choice if I can't find the above.

Thanks for all your input so far. Any others?

__________________
Bob Johnston
03 E55
Comand/Nav/Bluetooth/Ipod added
Black/black
(Oh man, this car is sooooo fast.)