TD or not TD, that is the (Oil) question!

[Razoo]

2004 W211 E320 CDi (3.2 litre straight-six).

At the moment my engine is running on Mobil 1 0W-40 SuperSyn (MB 229.3/229.5 approval).

I've just found some Mobil 1 0W-40TD SuperSyn at a reasonable price.

Questions please:

1. What is the technical difference between these two oils (0W-40 vs. 0W-40TD)?

2. Can they be mixed (I'm assuming 'yes')?

3. Would my E320 CDi actually benefit from using the 0W-40TD oil, rather than the 0W-40 oil?

Thanks,

Razoo

 

[dougjoy]

I found no difference when using the TD oil compared to the standard oil. Both were equal and had little noticable effect on the running of the engine.

I use Mobile 1 0W-40 protection formulae which makes my engine noticably quieter when starting and running.

Hope this helps

 

[Razoo]

...I use Mobile 1 0W-40 protection formulae which makes my engine noticably quieter when starting and running.

Protection Formula? There's another Mobil 1 0W-40 grade I hadn't come across. Mind you, I wish my E320 CDi would do 'quieter'!

I've found a data sheet on Mobil 1 0W-40TD that reads: "Mobil 1 0W-40 Turbo Diesel is the ultimate performance, synthetic engine oil designed to provide unsurpassed protection for the engines of all modern diesel and petrol powered passenger cars..."

Diesel and petrol cars? So why call it TD?

Then there's the data sheet for Mobile 1 0W-40, which reads: "Mobil 1 0W-40 is the most advanced performance synthetic engine oil designed to provide ultimate cleaning power, wear protection and overall performance. Mobil 1 0W-40, Protection Formula, exceeds the requirements of the leading industry and car manufacture standards required for newer modern gasoline and diesel powered automobile engines."

This data sheet also says the oil is suitable for both diesel and petrol cars. The data sheet also mentions 'Protection Formula' in the text, but not in the document title. So does ordinary Mobil 1 0W-40 contain the 'Protection Formula', or do you have to buy the oil with Mobil 1 0W-40 Protection Formula written on the label? And if this 'Protection Formula' is so good, why isn't it in all the oils, or maybe it is? Who knows?

Then there's Mobil's other buzz word 'SuperSyn', which presumably means 'Super Synthetic'. Maybe 'SuperSyn' has superseded 'Protection Formula'?

[Rant] If Mobil find it necessary to market at least three fully synthetic 0W-40 oils (Mobil 1 0W-40, Mobile 1 0W-40TD and Mobil 1 0W-40 Protection Formula), all of which they claim provide 'ultimate, unsurpassed protection' for both diesel and petrol engined cars, why don't they provide some guidance as to what the preferred application is for each oil? And if there is no difference, why don't they save on production costs and just market 'Mobile 1 0W-40 Universal Protection Formula SuperSyn with Polyalphaolefins'? [/Rant]

I guess Mobil are just out to cause uncertainty and confusion - and they've succeeded with me

Razoo

 

[dougjoy]

I enjoyed your " rant" but can only go by my own experience, the protection formula oil sold by Halfords at less then £40 for 5 litres works for me and it does say Protection Formula on the container.

The only other thing to check if you have a 210 is the rubber gaitor on the bottom of the steering coloum. My one was split and replacing that improved the cab noise 10 fold.

 

[Razoo]

...the protection formula oil sold by Halfords at less then £40 for 5 litres works for me and it does say Protection Formula on the container.

I've just found the words 'Protection Formula' written on my Halfords' 5 ltr. container of Mobile 1 0W-40 SuperSyn. Maybe 'SuperSyn' = 'Protection Formula'? On the rear label it says the oil is for "high performance and turbo charged engines", but unlike the data sheet, it doesn't specifically mention diesels.

The only other thing to check if you have a 210 is the rubber gaitor on the bottom of the steering coloum. My one was split and replacing that improved the cab noise 10 fold.

Mine is a W211, but it might still be worth me checking for split gaiters. Mind you, the perceived noise problem might have more to do with this being my first ever agricultural oil-burner after 40+ years of only driving petrol engined cars

Razoo

 

[dougjoy]

You could be right, they do not compare with petrol engines where noise is concerned. I had a BMW 525i followed by a 530d and it took me a long time to get used to the noise difference. But if you compare like for like the Mercedes is a lot quieter.
Next time your in a jam next to a BMW diesel open your window, you will hear his engine rattling away and yours purring.

 

[Xtractorfan]

When sitting in traffic jams remember its more likely you are hearing the noise from your own engine bouncing of the other car !!!!!!!!

 

[Mercedes 190E]

My Wife is just sending back her last company car-a Jaguar X Type diesel. Believe me, none of you know rattle and noise until you have driven one of those!!!
Her new 320CDi is SILENT in comparison....

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

fully synth oil is made to international standards. you can purchase 25 lit. from the trade for £62. ( circa £13 / lit. ). the requirement for the synthetic oil is required for the high temp. that the turbo bearings run at, without the turbo any part synth oil would be very adequate. oil filters are very important. there are several things which can make a diesel engine noisy but in my eperience the type of oil is not one of them.

 

[GEORGEROV]

Hi Razoo, Agree with herbie's comments above. To get back to your main point the difference between the three mobil oils of the same multigrade viscosity is the amount of detergents in them . Diesel being an inherently 'dirtier' fuel than petrol more carbon contaminants are absorbed by the oil and the more detergent needed to break them down. Not likely to be a problem in a newish petrol engine thats had regular oil changes and is 'clean'. However start using this in an older engine with sludge thats lying dormant then the excess detergents loosen it up and can cause havoc. As far as noise is concerned with diesel engines the fuel quality makes the biggest difference. There's an amazing difference in the noise of modern Vauxhall Diesel engines (Fiat) when using BP Ultimate for example compared to normal derv.