correct oil viscosity for 97 420E
 

My brother in law purchased a 97 420E and it did not come with a manual. Can anyone please tell me what weight oil he shoud be using if he is going with synthetic?

Antonino

It depends to a great extent on the climate where they live and drive. A 1997 model does not require synthetic oil. In any case you should get an owner's manual and a copy of the recommended fluids brochure. A dealer should be able to help you with this.

I have '97 E320...
 

which would have the same recommendations for oil. I looked at them and went with 5W30 (Pennzoil). I live in Missouri, have had the car since new and it has not used a drop of oil in 100K miles. I change oil and filter every 3500 to 4500 miles. I would not put synthetic oil in a car that was not designed for it.

Whatever oil MB specs for it, their is a sheet kicking around on this site somewhere.

Personaly I like Mobil 1 0w40, Delvac 1 5w40, and various Elf or Amsoil products seem to work well.

Don't go to heavy on an M119 or you will blow the oil tubes in the head and have some nice lifter tick.

This answer your question ? ;)
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html

Straight from factory recommended products...
 

For Vehicles Without Flexible Service System:

USA vehicles MY 1997 and earlier: The car requires 229.3 or 229.5 oil.


ACEA or API oil can be used if the mfr's speced oil is not available.

Something that is "required" only when available is not actually a requirement. Such garbled language allows dealers to push more profitable, but unnecessary, synthetics on unsuspecting customers. MB fractures the English language when it is in their self-interest to do so. These are the same people who gave us the "first 4 door coupe" (CLS) when the definition of a coupe is an automobile with 2 doors.

Thanks for your input...I will pass the information along to my brother-in-law.

Antonino

The correct oils are available from many sources other than the dealer ;)

Obvoiusly but the point related to which oils were "correct" - the difference between 229.3 / .5 recommended (mistated above as "required") and approved per the bulletin.

Yeah one day I will save it. But all I have to do is refer to it and someone else posts it! You guys are always quick with stuff like that!:D

My 92 400E manual recommends 10w40 for all temp range. I will scan the page later and everyone can use it. No need for special oil, i just use normal off the shelf wally world stuff.

Procrastinator! :D

Dean, OK, not "required"...except in the eyes of a purist. :)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4702/oilgq8.jpg

ACEA or API oils acceptable only when correct oil is not available.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1836/viscowd3.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7751/coverbc5.jpg