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[CrazyG]

so i should filter out the burnt potato before pouring the chip fat in then

Nah....those bits scrape the 'gunge' off the TVA as they pass thru....LOL   

[Big Dunc]

good info.....

so i should filter out the burnt potato before pouring the chip fat in then

JJ

I wouldnt bother, is that not what the oil filter is for......

[Alex]

Those would be the MB229.51 and 229.31 norms that are hard to meet for DPF protection (very low SAPS) All manufacturers have different formulations for the same viscosity for this exact same reason: to meet requirements for different manufacturers.  You can't have an oil that's good for everything, because it needs to have very specific attributes in order to perform well in a specific engine type.

How much for merceds or smart motor oil? http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html

[Razvan.M]

Nice chart there, Alex! Thanks 

[funkydoodycool]

I've never been too bothered about oil before, but with Brabbie I intend to do things right and keep it running forever.

Every car I ever had suggested 10w40 as the most suitable all round in UK weathers, but they also all recommended 5w30 as a better option, especially as it improves your MPG.  I tended to use 10w40, as it was usually cheaper (Asda tend to have 4 litre cans of Castrol GTX for about £18, which is as cheap as it comes).

As for Comma making different oils within the same specs, if you browse oils you'll notice various makes (including Halfrauds own) will have, say 10w40, then 10w40 Ford, 10w40 BMW etc.  I believe (IIRC) they recommend the 5w30 Ford oil for the Smart forfour...

I don't personally rate Comma oils, I bought some for the Primera, 10w40, only because it was cheap and it's about all that AllParts sell, and it was incredibly thin compared to others.

As for what oil to use, I guess it's up to you how much you care about your engine (if you're a year from resetting the light, therefore about 2 years since service, I guess you're not too bothered...) 10w40 is pretty much a "one size fits all" but buy the proper type, either petrol or diesel oil, and not bike oil.  Don't assume your car wants fully synth either.  My Primera hated it, needed a semi.

Also... there's a lot more to a service than changing the oil - changing plugs, checking brakes, air filter, cabin filter etc.  If it's really been two years, I'd suggest taking it into an indie and get a full one done.

[nomad8459]

I was surprised by the Tech guide on here that stated fully synthetic only because my manual doesn't say that, it has the same oil viscosity chart but doesn't say fully synthetic only, I have been told that semi-synthetic is just fine.

Mine has regular oil changes and gets 5w30 Castrol magnatec, what I would love to put in there is Mobil 1 new life 0w40 or Castrol Edge 0w40, but where I have my oil changes done they don't stock it.

I was thinking of buying an oil pump out thingy and doing them myself, as i said elsewhere, I don't have any axle stands or a proper jack at the moment so thought this might be a solution to do my own oil changes, the Mobil 1 is quite expensive although Opieoils have a special offer on it at £37.50 for 5L which is reasonable as Halfords want £49!

[CrazyG]

If you havent got axles stands etc, then find a high kerb in your vicinity and put one
wheel up on it.  That may just raise it up enough for you to get under to undo the sump
plug and drain the old oil out. Once emptied, roll the car off the kerb, so that when you
fill it with new oil you can get/check the level correctly.

And re Mobil 1.....find someone who has a Costco card and get yourself in there.
they have/had it for £24 for a 4L can.  Buy 2....one to fill with, one for top ups etc

[nomad8459]

We actually have a costco here and we are members, we have to renew this year but that is a good tip, cheers.

I know Mercedes in the past have recommended Mobil Oils and that new life stuff sounds good, fully synthetic 0w40.

[Alex]

It says fully synthetic because the service interval is very very long and far outruns any semi-synthetic oil life-span.

If you use semi synthetic you need to change it every 6 months or 10km. They have lower total base numbers, poorer additive packages that also run out faster, are thicker and give an all round worst protection.

As for two years between services, that is extreme. The manual says one year MAX. Your oil will turn very acidic, it is prone to fuel dilution, water contamination from condensation that causes foaming etc. All really harmful stuff.

[Big Dunc]

Remember on the Brabus you have to change the oil at least every 6,000 miles irrespective of what the service indicator says and how long it has been in there.  Doesnt really bother me, the cost of good quality oil (& filter) is less than the cost of a tank of petrol.  It takes less than half an hour.  As said above, if you park on a kerb (I drive that wheel onto a block of wood) then you dont even have to jack it up.  Even if it "might" make the engine last longer, it has to be worth doing.

The service indicator asks for a service after a year, even if you have done a really low milage in that time.

[funkydoodycool]

Exactly Big Dunc.  If you're gonna invest in a proper car, with a performance engine, and can afford to put V Power in it ever 200 miles or so, you ought to be able to afford £50 for a bottle of decent oil!

The Mercedes garage is about 10 miles from here, but there's a Mitsubishi one about a mile away - quite useful for engine parts on the Brabus!