1999 Mercedes-Benz E430 Oil recommendation

[Popinski]

An acquaintance is a soft driver and he bought the car brand new. Ever since new, he's been putting in Mercedes oil filter and 10w30 Mobil 1 synthetic (The manual does not state what oil to use). At 110,000 miles, his car is burning a quart every 3,000 miles.

Will it help if he used a thicker 0w40? Or how about 5w40? This is what Amsoil recommends:

AMSOIL European Car Formula 100% Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil (AFLQT)
Above 5F......15W-40, 15W-50
Above -4F......10W-30, 10W-40, 10W-50, 10W-60
Above 23F......20W-40, 20W-50
All TEMPS......0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40, 5W-50

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
Popinski - The present oil consumption is not excessive. A logical move may be to M1 0W-40 which is used as a FF in some mercedes Benz engines and is the "standard" oil in OZ for all Mercedes Benz vehicles

Amsoil's AFLQT was once MB Approved IIRC and it is obviously a good product but you have no need to change brands at such a late stage!

 

[Gene K]

Mobil 1 0W40 is the recommended oil according to Mobil.

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Gene K
Mobil 1 0W40 is the recommended oil according to Mobil.


+1

Its "European Car Formula." Says so on M1 bottle. This way he gets better start-up AND a 40 number to combat that consumption.

That E-class will go hundreds of thousands of miles if you get the oil right. They are built like TANKS. I know the ones from the 80s were. 420SEL, 300SE, etc.

110,000 miles its trying to tell you something. Listen to it.

JMO.

 

[HTSS_TR]

My '00 E430 with 113k miles never use any measurable amount of oil with either M1 0W40 or thinner xW20 between OCI's 12k miles or 1 year, even at fairly high speed of 90-100 MPH or higher in summer to Vegas passing Death Valley with ambient temperature of mid to high 120's degree.

If he can find the Maxlife Full Synthetic 10W30 at local store I would try it for 1 or 2 OCI's.

 

[mechtech2]

I'd go up a grade.
And even though M1 is a fine oil, you can tell him that there are others out there that will suit his needs for less $. Options are nice.

 

[Oldwolf]

I think I would be using M1 0W40 if it were mine.

 

[Popinski]

^^^ Thank you very much for that.

 

[Popinski]

Ok... he's cheap. He only buys oil at his local Sam's Club and all they have is Mobil 1 5w30, 10w30 and 10w40. He only used 10w30 through the life of the vehicle. Do you guys think he should put 10w40?