Using Mobil One

[Chris Bottomley]

Can anyone help me on this one please?

Having been told that my MB 270CDI came new in October 2001 with an engine full of Mobil One I anticipated the need to top up the oil during the initial couple of thousand miles and bought 4 litres. Sure enough it needed one litre, but has needed none since. The mileage now shows 55,000. so one up for MB. I'm alot less confident that I was correctly informed in the first place but there we are, I will never know.

I now have 3 litres of (expensive) oil which has been retained in decent conditions for over 4 years, albeit in an unsealed container.

Is this still usable? With normal oil I would not risk it, but it seems to me that with fully synthetic the situation may be different?

Please indicate confidence level with any advice given, since I intend keeping this car!!

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[cubicincubi]

you haven't had the oil changed in 55K?

as long as the cap has been screwed on tight then it should be ok, as long as the acea /api ratings havent been superceded.

 

[clive williams]

Can anyone help me on this one please?

Having been told that my MB 270CDI came new in October 2001 with an engine full of Mobil One I anticipated the need to top up the oil during the initial couple of thousand miles and bought 4 litres. Sure enough it needed one litre, but has needed none since. The mileage now shows 55,000.
..................

I thought it was a NO, NO to fill a car with fully synthetic from new as the improved lubrication prevents proper bedding it of the components causing glazed/uneven bores etc. The net result is that the oil consumption is higher over the life of the vehicle. Some manufacturers such as VW deliberately put in a specialized oil formula to accelerate the bedding-in process, which is changed for fully synth at the first service. I though MB did the same?

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Chris Bottomley]

For clarification Cubinici, although this was initially a leased car I am very fussy over service intervals and the oil has previously been changed at 16k, 31k and 40k all by MB Epsom. The car only ever needed a one litre top up during the first 2K miles. The old oil API and ACEA numbers are the same as oil currently being sold and indicate MB 229:1.

Interestingly the service record shows the use of Mobil 10/40 on each occasion, whilst the invoice indicates Mobil 5/40!! I was not checking the bills at this stage. My understanding is that the standard MB service oil is 5/40 but that this is unavailable outside the dealer network. They offer an upgrade to 0/40 at additional cost and the plan is to go to 0/40 next time round but using an Indy and my oil -hence the original question.

Clive, I think that I was badly informed initially, supported by all the publicity which comes with the new vehicle about Mobil One! If a special oil is used initially, why dont they say so and provide for a top up? Not sure what you are saying about the old oil though?

 

[clive williams]

For clarification Cubinici, although this was initially a leased car I am very fussy over service intervals and the oil has previously been changed at 16k, 31k and 40k all by MB Epsom. The car only ever needed a one litre top up during the first 2K miles. The old oil API and ACEA numbers are the same as oil currently being sold and indicate MB 229:1.

Interestingly the service record shows the use of Mobil 10/40 on each occasion, whilst the invoice indicates Mobil 5/40!! I was not checking the bills at this stage. My understanding is that the standard MB service oil is 5/40 but that this is unavailable outside the dealer network. They offer an upgrade to 0/40 at additional cost and the plan is to go to 0/40 next time round but using an Indy and my oil -hence the original question.

Clive, I think that I was badly informed initially, supported by all the publicity which comes with the new vehicle about Mobil One! If a special oil is used initially, why dont they say so and provide for a top up? Not sure what you are saying about the old oil though?

Chris,

Re your comments to me - Can you see the reaction of the non-technical MB customer being told they had to use one type of oil before first service and another after first service? These poor souls just want to get in and drive. It's hard enough to get them to use all the controls properly. They don't want techy talk - I know I've got one sitting not a few yards away!
My point was that your oil consumption is spot on. Then the conclusion is that either MB are operating the oil spec in a different way to the other mainstream manufacturers or there is some misinformation/misunderstanding. Either way it would be nice to hear any other comments from forum members.

On the topic of how long to keep the oil - ask Oilman

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Rory]

Current Mobil 1 would be 229.5, but that's a fairly recent spec. It ought to be 229.3 thouugh.

229.1 is standard mineral oil (like say Castrol Magnatec) and would lead to shorter service intervals if using ASSYST. However it's fine if you're regularly changing the oil.

I've seen Fuchs claim that their oil is used by MB as the factory fill, but my C270CDi came with lots of Mobil bumph. I've never heard of a main stream manufacturer using bedding in oil. We own a Seat (so basically a VW) and that didn't need an early oil change.

MB 229.5 oil always seems to be 5W-30. I can't imagine the cold viscosity it that critical in the UK - the handbook shows a wide range of oils can be used, depending on the ambient temp.

Personally, I would have like to have used 5W-40, but that doesn't seem to exist in an 229.5 approved oil.

 

[jberks]

The E270 wanted a litre so I checked the book to see what the dealer had put in. I used to top up with Mobil1 on the E240 but the service book said Castrol Magnatec so when I visited halfords I compared them. Both fully Sythetic, both claim to be the best for Turbo diesels, both meet MB 229.31 (whatever that is) but Magnatec GTD was half the price of the Mobil. So figuring that was what was in there already I bought the Castrol. I couldn't help thinking I would be paying the extra £20 for the mobil1 name. I haven't checked whether Assyst has noticed yet (usually takes 100 miles or so) , but 1l of Mobil1 would usually give me an extra 1-2k so Ill have to see what it makes of the Castrol.

 

[Rory]

The E270 wanted a litre so I checked the book to see what the dealer had put in. I used to top up with Mobil1 on the E240 but the service book said Castrol Magnatec so when I visited halfords I compared them. Both fully Sythetic, both claim to be the best for Turbo diesels, both meet MB 229.31 (whatever that is) but Magnatec GTD was half the price of the Mobil. So figuring that was what was in there already I bought the Castrol. I couldn't help thinking I would be paying the extra £20 for the mobil1 name. I haven't checked whether Assyst has noticed yet (usually takes 100 miles or so) , but 1l of Mobil1 would usually give me an extra 1-2k so Ill have to see what it makes of the Castrol.

If Magnatec really meets the spec then it should be OK, but I don't think Magnatec is fully synthetic (or even a bit synthetic). Castrol's Mobil1 equivalent is SLX.

I was offered Magnatec by one dealer I rang for a service quote. When I asked for the oil that would support extended services they offered SLX, for about £40 more.

 

[jberks]

Been back to the castrol site. It does allegedly meet the standards but I think you're right. It says "Synthetically engineered" which I took at the time to mean synthetic but reading a little further and adding some sceptisism, I start to think that this actually means it has a synthetic additive (presumably the "magnatec" bit) and you need the SLX stuff to be fully synthetic.
That said, the dealer only put the ordinary stuff in anyway so there's no great advantage to adding 1l of expensive synthetic to a sump full of normal gloop.

The specialist uses Mobil1 so I guess it will get refilled with the good stuff at the next service.

 

[tom7035]

Though my old banger shouldn't need it, I gave it a treat with my personal choice now, Silkolene Pro S (now owned by Fuchs) as I prefer a 5W/40 grade which Mobil don't do.

 

[clive williams]

If Magnatec really meets the spec then it should be OK, but I don't think Magnatec is fully synthetic (or even a bit synthetic). Castrol's Mobil1 equivalent is SLX.

I was offered Magnatec by one dealer I rang for a service quote. When I asked for the oil that would support extended services they offered SLX, for about £40 more.

I understand Magnatec to be semi-synthetic i.e. it has synthetic modifiers but not fully synthetic. SLX by Castrols own blurb is 'super premium' synthetic, which I take to mean better than Mobil 1. Mobil 1's equivalent is Castrol RS Synthetic, which can be bought for less than 1/2 price of Mobil 1.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[tom7035]

I understand Magnatec to be semi-synthetic i.e. it has synthetic modifiers but not fully synthetic. SLX by Castrols own blurb is 'super premium' synthetic, which I take to mean better than Mobil 1. Mobil 1's equivalent is Castrol RS Synthetic, which can be bought for less than 1/2 price of Mobil 1.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Castrol RS Power is fully synth, but is more expensive at £48.99/4 litres compared to Mobil1, at £43.99/4 litres.
What I find a little confusing is Castrol SLX Long-tec is cheaper at £44.99/4 litres yet reaches the higher spec of MB 223.5, whereas the others come up to 223.1 (Info. and prices courtesy of Opie Oils).
Is this due simply to the viscosity being different? I must admit I don't really know what the actual spec means, but I'm assuming 223.5 to be higher than 223.1, or am I totally wrong?

 

[clive williams]

Castrol RS Power is fully synth, but is more expensive at £48.99/4 litres compared to Mobil1, at £43.99/4 litres.
What I find a little confusing is Castrol SLX Long-tec is cheaper at £44.99/4 litres yet reaches the higher spec of MB 223.5, whereas the others come up to 223.1 (Info. and prices courtesy of Opie Oils).
Is this due simply to the viscosity being different? I must admit I don't really know what the actual spec means, but I'm assuming 223.5 to be higher than 223.1, or am I totally wrong?

Tom,

where do you buy your oil from? I buy my Castrol Rs from Macro at £14.99 + VAT for 4 litres! and its not a one off sale. Before that I bought it from the local motor factor at £22.99 +VAT. Your price for SLX is about the price I was quoted by the motor facor, which I declined.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Chris Bottomley]

Rory

Coming back to my Mobil 1 problem, the old oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3. It is four and a half years old.

The 'new oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3:MB 229.5

Are these compatible? Taking Clive's point, iI did see some very good postings by Oilman several months ago. Is he out there please?

Anybobody's comments welcome since the B service date cometh and the plan is to go Mobil 1, either with or without the old oil.

Chris

MB270 CDI, with engine oil that gets changed on Thursday!!

 

[Chris Bottomley]

Rory

Coming back to my Mobil 1 problem, the old oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3. It is four and a half years old.

The new oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3:MB 229.5

Are these compatible? Taking Clive's point, iI did see some very good postings by Oilman several months ago. Is he out there please?

Anybobody's comments welcome since the B service date cometh and the plan is to go Mobil 1, either with or without the old oil.

Chris

MB270 CDI, with engine oil that gets changed on Thursday!!

 

[tom7035]

Tom,

where do you buy your oil from? I buy my Castrol Rs from Macro at £14.99 + VAT for 4 litres! and its not a one off sale. Before that I bought it from the local motor factor at £22.99 +VAT. Your price for SLX is about the price I was quoted by the motor facor, which I declined.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Hi Clive, very interesting and certainly a great lump of difference in price! Prices etc. I obtained online from Opie Oils, with which I think our very knowledgeable member 'Oilman' is associated - http://www.opieoils.co.uk/performance_lubricants/
Unfortunately I don't have a 'Macro' store on my doorstep, but will certainly research cost further. Thanks for the info.
Cheers, Tom.

 

[Rory]

Rory

Coming back to my Mobil 1 problem, the old oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3. It is four and a half years old.

The new oil 'meets' MB229.1 but is 'approved' MB 229.3:MB 229.5

Are these compatible? Taking Clive's point, iI did see some very good postings by Oilman several months ago. Is he out there please?

Anybobody's comments welcome since the B service date cometh and the plan is to go Mobil 1, either with or without the old oil.

Chris

MB270 CDI, with engine oil that gets changed on Thursday!!

This in my interpretation:
229.1 OK
229.3 Better
229.5 Best

Both .3 and .5 seem to (always?) be fully synth, but 229.1 can be a mineral oil.

There’s also 229.31 and (just starting to appear) 229.51, which is intended for use in EU4 compliant cars (not an issue with a 270Cdi).

The oil specs are downwards compatible – ie a 229.5 oil also meets both 229.1 & .3 specs.

With your old Mobil 1 – my thinking would be that is doesn’t deteriorate while it’s sat around (pretty benign environment compared to being in an engine, where some oil is left for 2 yrs). Also the C270 engine has been around for a while, so nothing innovative that would demand some whizzy new oil spec - so I wouldn’t have a problem using it.
However, as you haven’t got a full, sealed container of it, the garage may be reluctant to use it? I would tend to let them supply the oil (ensuring it’s fully synth), and keep the Mobil1 for topping hope. It would be great if you never needed it, but you’ve got it in case.

 

[Chris Bottomley]

Rory

Very many thanks for your advice - I will go with it.

Chris