I'm scheduled for my 7500 service and would like to start using
a synthetic oil. My service department offers Castrol Syntec as their synthetic
option. I asked
this board about that brand and the majority of responses were
negative. The service department will use any oil that I supply them with.
So, what is the best
synthetic to use? I've seen a few posts praising Amsoil as the
best. Any opinions on this brand? Be specific in recommendations as I've
found that there are
different grades of many of the synthetics, ie. 0W-30w, 5w-50w,
etc. I've got 2 weeks before the service appointment which is plenty of
time to find what I
eventually select and have it delivered if mail order is used.
Thanks all.
You will find many different opinions. Personally, I'm a strong
supporter for Amsoil. I use 5W-30 in both my Volvo & my Toyota 4Runner.
I use the Amsoil Oil
& Reusable Foam/Oil Airfilter as well.
A few others may chime in regarding Amsoil and its advantages. So a search and review what others have said. Also, review the Amsoil Web Site.
The longest that I have run on a single oil change is 19,000 miles
over 1 year in my 96 4Runner. I changed the oil filter at 6mths. In the
end, I had the oil
analyzed and it was still within usable limits for continued
usage.
This is only my 2 cents.
Andrew T. Watson
I also prefer Amsoil and I am using it. I am using Series 2000
0W-30, but I have heard of others having a problem with oil usage since
the oil is so thin. If you
have a problem then I would go with a thicker oil like 5W-30
or 10W-30, but you should go with the thinnest synthetic, 0W-30, that it
will handle.
My $0.02.
Very Specific - Mobil 1 5w30 at 7500 intervals
No warranty questions - reasonable cost.
MAT
--
2000 S70 SE
Why would there be warranty questions?
And if drained at prescribed intervals, AMSOIL is WAY cheaper
than Mobil 1. Yes, AMSOIL costs more per quart, but it also has a drain
interval many times
longer.
Have you strong reasons not to use 10w30 for the summer months?
Another vote for AMSOIL 0W-30. Running it in 2 Saab turbos and
a Volvo turbo. Will cost you about $2 per quart more than AMSOIL 5W-30
or 10W-30, but
it is a better oil (and may give better fuel economy--does so
in most cases).
Third choice would be Mobil 1 xW-30.
I run Mobil 1 10-30 as per the manual. I have the turbo and the
manual calls for synthetic AND drain intervals of 5k. Given that, the price
of Mobil 1 is better
than Amsoil.
I also run Mobil 1 at 7,500 intervals on my wife's C280.
I've spoken to MANY mercedes mechanics who use Mobil 1 over long
lives of their older benzes (300k) and after they take the engine apart
for a valve job,
they say the results are great.
Just stay away from Syntec 5w50. Lots of additives in there to
give that big a spread (5-50). They break down earlier than the oil.
--
Adam - V70 T5M - Still enjoying every shift!
Adam's T5(M)
Nope - 10W30 can be used - however; I see no advantage over 5W30
in Mobil 1 (except to follow the manual "to the letter" in the summer oil
temperature
charts - and avoid any warranty questioons afterwards)
My dealership uses 5w30 Quaker State synthetic year round. (I bring in my own Mobil 1)
MAT
--
2000 S70 SE
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