Info guides and mods

MB229.5 What Does It Mean?

Mercedes test a bunch of different oils from various manufacturers to make sure that it'll be OK in their cars.

They check for correct advertised viscosity, base oil type (synthetic, semi synthetic or mineral),
ACEA rating and API rating (Standard European and American approval),
SAPS ratings (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous, Sulphur) for cars with DPFs.

They ensure that they can lubricate properly using a few pieces of test equipment like a Falex tester.

Why Do They Have This Standard?

This standard was put in place so that the Mercedes garages all over the world were given a set choice.
Given that most of the Mercedes garages in the world are franchises, the majority (if given the chance)
would increase profit by using the cheapest oil they could possibly get. The cheapest oil would almost
certainly be shit and would probably still have chips floating in it.

This way, Mercedes could monitor the situation and ensure that warranty work isn't being
done because garages were using crap oil which was breaking the customer's car.

Do I Have To Choose From This List?

No. Their oil testing doesn't seem to be very indepth. Good oil companies simply aren't going to make crap oils and try to sell them as good oils. They be found out very quickly. There are plenty of very good but untested oils, many of them out performing the oils recommended by smart. Royal Purple being one such manufacturer.

Mobil1 Oil Is Best Though Right?

No, it's not very good when compared to many that didn't make the list. The reason that Mercedes push Mobil1
so much is advertising. Up until Petronas turned up, the Mercedes F1 cars were plastered with Mobil1 adverts.
So either they were duty bound to promote the oils or Mercedes got the oil very cheap.

MB229.5 List