Oil recommendations for high mileage engine?
 

Hello all,

I bought an '88 300TE this past summer with
250,000 miles. The past owner did excellent maintenance service and the car looks and drives like it has about 50,000. The oil used up until my purchase was 10W30. I don't like to mess with a good thing, but I have put 10w40 in it since. My oil pressure gauge sits at about "1" at idle when warm.

My question is, with this kind of mileage am I right using 10w40 or should I use a heavier oil (15w40, 20w50)? What about during winter months?

Thank you everyone, Klaus

why change a good thing!!

Use what the owner's manual calls for, based on outside temps. I know that the owner's manuals for both of my Benzes suggest 10W-40 as a year-round oil. However, I use 15W-40 since it is a diesel rated oil.

I use 15w40 in my diesels year-round with good results, also. However, I haven't owned a gas powered car with this much mileage before and was thinking it may need something a bit thicker to maintain good lubrication. The car uses about 1 quart every 2000 miles. Your probably right that I shouldn't mess with a good thing, though!

Thanks for the replies!

You should stay with what the owner's manual calls for. I use 10W30 for my W124 which has over 260K on the clock since I bought it. I tend to have oil changed more frequently (every 2,500 miles) with the car because of its mileage and hope to squeeze more miles out if her.