Hi all, I've spent many hours reading this site and searching the forum, and while I've learned a lot about oil, I feel even less confident in picking a motor oil for my recently acquired 1996 Mercedes S500. I've got to do an oil change in the very near future and was hoping to get some recommendations here. Apparently it's best to extract the oil on this model, so I've purchased a mityvac 7201, and got a Napa Gold (WIX) filter, I just need to figure out which oil to use.
The car has 351,000kms, but I don't know what (if any) engine work has been done. The engine seems to be in good condition with no smoke or noise and I haven't noticed any drips. It seems to hold good oil pressure, 3 bar + on startup and just over 1 bar at idle when fully warmed up. Judging by the windshield sticker, the PO used Amsoil 10/30 and it was due to be changed a while ago so I might look in to a flush.
I live near Calgary, Alberta and we are just going in to Winter, so i'm thinking maybe a synthetic with a low first number to get good startup lubrication? I use the car for both short trips around town and a daily 25-45 minute commute that is mostly highway. I'd like to see this car last for a very long time so I figured I'd put some extra thought in to the motor oil. I don't mind spending some money more to put good oil in, but keep in mind it holds 8.5l and I'm just a working man, so I'd like to stay away from any of the super exotic oils. I was leaning towards Mobil 1, but for no good reason other than it's what I always used in my newer vehicles. I don't know whether I need to hunt for something with higher zddp due to the quad-cam OHC flat tappet setup, or look for a different grade or special additive pack due to the excessive mileage. Oil change intervals aren't a huge concern to me, especially since the filter is top mounted and I will be using an extractor.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
The car has 351,000kms, but I don't know what (if any) engine work has been done. The engine seems to be in good condition with no smoke or noise and I haven't noticed any drips. It seems to hold good oil pressure, 3 bar + on startup and just over 1 bar at idle when fully warmed up. Judging by the windshield sticker, the PO used Amsoil 10/30 and it was due to be changed a while ago so I might look in to a flush.
I live near Calgary, Alberta and we are just going in to Winter, so i'm thinking maybe a synthetic with a low first number to get good startup lubrication? I use the car for both short trips around town and a daily 25-45 minute commute that is mostly highway. I'd like to see this car last for a very long time so I figured I'd put some extra thought in to the motor oil. I don't mind spending some money more to put good oil in, but keep in mind it holds 8.5l and I'm just a working man, so I'd like to stay away from any of the super exotic oils. I was leaning towards Mobil 1, but for no good reason other than it's what I always used in my newer vehicles. I don't know whether I need to hunt for something with higher zddp due to the quad-cam OHC flat tappet setup, or look for a different grade or special additive pack due to the excessive mileage. Oil change intervals aren't a huge concern to me, especially since the filter is top mounted and I will be using an extractor.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks