Engine Oil MB 229.51 or 229.52 best for T1N's?

Status
Not open for further replies.

220629

Well-known member
Some tests here show why 3000 mile Oil Change Intervals OCI were at one time necessary. Lubrication technology has come a long way since Dad's Chevy needing a 3K OCI.

As an aside.
"No viscosity on the label." I believe that the viscosity and other info was included in a printed ring on the rusty top of that oil can.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zHlxeu_yuM

:cheers: vic
 
Last edited:

220629

Well-known member
An ACEA overview link from another thread.

Thanks goes to Dennis. :thumbup:

...

So to bust some myths I am adding this web site for good reference, perhaps many would like to refer to it as an adventure into expert knowledge reinforcement. Do take into account that it comes out of the UK, so take it for what you will.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/t-acea-car-engine-oils-specification-explained.aspx


...
The raw text in case the link goes away.

ACEA Car Engine Oil Specification Explained
ACEA Spec is a very common sight, in fact you'll find one on almost all engine oil, but what does it all mean?
ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) have a system of rating oils, which you will find on the container of almost every oil on the market. These are the current specifications,previously oils were given separate petrol and diesel ratings, but from November 2004 onwards, those have been combined (A still refers to Petrol and B to Diesel engines).

ACEA's Mission Statement is defined as:
Define and advocate the common interests, policies and positions of the European automobile industry;
Engage in dialogue with the European institutions and other stakeholders in order to advance understanding of industry-related issues, and to contribute to effective policy and legislation at both European and global levels;
Act as a portal for expert knowledge on vehicle-related regulation;
Communicate the role and importance of the industry, using reliable data and information;
Monitor activities that affect the automobile industry, cooperating with the other stakeholders
nvolved; and Undertake strategic reflection on the increasingly global challenges of mobility, sustainability and competitiveness.
ACEA Specifications - Standard Petrol and Diesel Engines
ACEA A1/B1
Category for Fuel Economy engine oils with especially low High Temperature High Shear viscosity. HTHS of 2.6 to 3.5 mPas applies to XW-20, 2.9 to 3. 5 mPas for all others. Corresponds to the old A1 and B1 specifications with some new engine tests

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in petrol engines and car & light van diesel engines specifically designed to be capable of using low friction low viscosity oils with a high temperature / high shear rate viscosity of 2.6 mPa*s for xW/20 and 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s for all other viscosity grades. These oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt

Shop for ACEA A1/B1 Spec Car Engine Oil

ACEA A2/B2
OBSOLETE - Basic requirements. Will be replaced by the GLOBAL DLD-1 specification.

ACEA A3/B3
Category for high-performance and Fuel Economy engine oils. Exceeds ACEA A1/B1 with regard to Noack (evaporation losses), piston cleanliness and oxidation stability. Extended oil change intervals possible.

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance petrol engines and car & light van diesel engines and/or for extended drain intervals where specified by the engine manufacturer, and/or for year-round use of low viscosity oils, and/or for severe operating conditions as defined by the engine manufacturer

Shop for ACEA A3/B3 Spec Car Engine Oil

ACEA A3/B4
Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance petrol and direct injection diesel engines, but also suitable for applications described under A3/B3

ACEA A5/B5
Category for high-performance engine oils. For TDI engines with Fuel Economy Performance. In addition with lowered HTHS (2.9 to 3.5). Extended oil change intervals possible.

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in high performance petrol engines and car & light van diesel engines designed to be capable of using low friction low viscosity oils with a High temperature / High shear rate (HTHS) viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt

SHop For ACEA A5/B5 Spec Car Engine Oil

Low SAPS Diesel Engines
An additional category appears in these specifications in which sulphate ash, phosphorous and sulphur content (SAPS) are limited.

Warning: these oils have the lowest SAPS limits and are unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt
ACEA C1
Largely based on the ACEA A5/B5. Strict limitation of SAPS content. Low HTHS viscosity of >2.9 mPas.

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and petrol engines requiring low friction, low viscosity, low SAPS oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9 mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life and maintain the vehicles fuel economy

Shop For ACEA C1 Spec Car Engine Oil

ACEA C2
Same as C1 but with somewhat higher SAPS content permissible (as with C3).

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and petrol engines designed to be capable of using low friction, low viscosity oils with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 2.9mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life and maintain the vehicles fuel economy.

Shop For ACEA C2 Spec Car Engine Oil

ACEA C3
Same as C2 except for HTHS > 3.5 and without Fuel Economy performance.

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and petrol engines, with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life

Shop For ACEA C3 Spec Car Engine Oil

ACEA C4
Same SAPS content as C3, HTHS viscosity as C1.

Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use as catalyst compatible oil in vehicles with DPF and TWC in high performance car and light van diesel and petrol engines requiring low SAPS oil with a minimum HTHS viscosity of 3.5mPa.s. These oils will increase the DPF and TWC life

Shop For ACEA C4 Car Engine Oil

Key:
SAPS: Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulphur
DPF: Diesel Particulate Filter
TWC: Three way catalyst

:cheers: vic
HTHS : High temperature / High shear rate viscosity

Added:

Some of my recent thoughts about newer MB oil specifications.

Anymore the newer MB oil specifications are not about avoiding blowing up your engine. Any good quality (not necessarily expensive) turbo diesel engine oil will work for the mechanical parts. The issues are emissions system service life (DPF) and maybe playing better with biodiesel blends.



Mercedes seems always to be very conservative with recommended fluids and service intervals. The question in mind is the difference between a SAP of 0.8 as recommended vs the more common SAP of 1.0 or less that many vehicle manufacturers are happy with. Does that difference significantly reduce the service life of the Sprinter DPF, or just reduce it a bit? :idunno:


The above comment is just musing. As a T1N owner I don't have a dog in the race. The reality is that a DPF is expensive to replace.



As to what the MB229.52 spec includes over MB229.51...

The information is out there is you dig around. The differences between MB229.51 and MB229.52 spec may not apply at all to owners of older model Sprinters. The original fluid specs in the Operator Manual always apply.



The MB229.52 "improvements" are not about avoiding blowing up your engine. The mechanical part of the oil hasn't changed from MB229.5 spec. It is the emissions part that changed.



MB 229.52

Oils meeting this specifications must have lower ash content, at least 1% better fuel economy compared to the requirements of MB 229.31 and MB 229.51 and better oxidation stability for biofuel compatibility. Can also be used where an MB 229.31 or an MB 229.51 oil is required. Just like MB 229.5 and MB 229.51 this spec requires a long life oil.



Will you notice a theoretical 1% better fuel economy during real world operation? Do you use a high percentage of biodiesel? Mercedes has always been fine with up to 5% biodiesel blend. That was before MB229.52 oil was rolled out.



If the mechanical condition of your engine is the concern then an owner should stay with the approved oil that still contains some of the tried and true additives that work for that. Many of those additives have been reduced or eliminated for reasons of emissions system longevity, not for the betterment of the mechanical parts.
 
Last edited:

220629

Well-known member
BeVo no longer lists the T1N Sprinter OM612 or OM647 engines on the recommended oil charts. They now only list engines that are currently in production.

If people will recall, in another thread I mentioned that Mercedes could do whatever they want with the official BeVo site. The T1N OM612 and OM647 engines are no longer listed.

It appears that at some time or other Mother Mercedes has decided to not list older engines that are no longer in production.


Notes:
"This table [MB223.2] contains only engine oil specifications for engines that are currently in production"


An actual quote/official data from the current MB223.2 BeVo information that states the original information in the operator manual applies.

Notes:
In general, the binding engine oil specification (MB-sheet) is documented in the relevant operating manual of the vehicle.
This table [MB223.2] contains only engine oil specifications for engines that are currently in production.
Information on unlisted or older engine types are described in the manual of the vehicle or the maintenance instructions.
The prescribed engine oil drain may be dependent on the applied engine oil specification.
When using certain specifications reduced engine oil drain intervals have to be considered.
Details are documented in the operating manual of the vehicle, the service information or maintenance instructions.
Multi grade oils can be used all year-round taking into consideration the outside temperature (see sheet 224.1).
The suitability of the applied viscosity grade (SAE grade) for the expected outside temperatures has to be ensured before the cold season starts.
********

T1N Sprinters are no longer in production by Mercedes Daimler. Information on unlisted or older engine types are described in the original manual of the vehicle or the maintenance instructions.

This is the information contained in the 2006 Sprinter manual that came with the vehicle.

2006ManualOilSpec01.jpg

2006ManualOilSpec02.jpg

The 2006 Operator Manual information can be safely applied to all NAS aka NAFTA T1N Sprinters 2001 - 2006 MY.

"Information on unlisted or older engine types are described in the manual of the vehicle or the maintenance instructions." BeVo
The information contained in the Operator Manual delivered with the Sprinter is basically what is sometimes described as "evergreen". It applies throughout the service life of the vehicle.

From the Ravenol Newsletter.
Ravenol VMS SAE 5W-30 COMPACT:
MB229.52
* Compared with 229.1/229.3/229.5: lower sulphur, phosphorous and ash forming content, better compatibility with DPF.
* Compared with 229.1/229.3: more environmentally friendly, increased potential fuel savings.
* 229.52 backwards compatible with 229.51, backwards compatible with 229.31: in each case the requirements are more stringent compared with older specifications 229.1/229.3/229.5
* 229.52/229.51/229.31 are therefore not backwards compatible with 229.5/229.3/229.1
* 229.52: currently has the most stringent requirements

vic

Added:
Posted June 23, 2017
...
Note: This sticky is now locked to keep the compilation of documented information on topic.
 
Last edited:

220629

Well-known member
I'm certain that there are T1N owners that question the validity of using the MB229.5 "old formula" oil vs upgrading to the newer MB229.51 or MB229.52 oil.

If MB229.5 specification oil is an old outdated formulation, why does Mercedes continue to list MB229.5 specification oil for the newest gasoline engines? Gasoline engines do not have the newer diesel emissions systems. They just need good quality engine oil. MB229.5 is not "old formula" that should be replaced with newer spec oils by T1N owners. Like the newer model VS30 gasoline engines, our 5 cylinder engines also just need good quality engine oil, not necessarily the newest diesel engine oil formulations designed for the newer emissions systems Eg. - DPF, DEF BluTec. The T1N 5 engines don't have those newer emissions systems.


Types of oil used in Dodge Sprinter Model Engines
  • 2003-2006 Dodge Sprinter 2.7L OM647 OM612 L5 turbo diesel models use oil spec MB 229.5 or MB 229.3.**
  • 2007-2008 Dodge Sprinter 3.5L M272 V6 gasoline models use MB 229.5 or MB 229.3 oil specs.**
  • 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51 or MB 229.51 oil specs.*
Types of oil used in Freightliner Sprinter Model Engines
  • 2002-2006 Freightliner Sprinter 2.7L OM647 OM612 L5 turbo diesel models use MB 229.5 or MB 229.3 oil specs.**
  • 2007-2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3.5L M272 V6 gasoline models use MB 229.5 or MB 229.3 oil specs.**
  • 2007-2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51 or MB 229.51 oil specs.*
  • 2013-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51 oil specs.*
  • 2014-2016 Freightliner Sprinter 2.1L OM651 L4 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51 oil specs.*
  • 2017-2018 Freightliner Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51, MB 229.52 oil specs.*
  • 2017-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2.1L OM651 L4 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51, MB 229.52 oil specs.*
Types of oil used in Mercedes Sprinter Model Engines
  • 2010-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51 oil specs.*
  • 2014-2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L OM651 L4 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51 oil specs.*
  • 2017-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3.0L OM642 V6 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51, MB 229.52 oil specs.*
  • 2017-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.1L OM651 L4 turbo diesel models use MB 228.51, MB 229.31, MB 229.51, MB 229.52 oil specs.*
  • 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2.0L M274 L4 turbo gasoline models uses MB 229.5 oil spec.

The M274 gasoline engine is optional in the 2019 -2022 VS30 907 Sprinters.

From BeVo.

M274 in Sprinter = MB229.5 engine oil.
MB229.5 is the only choice offered in the chart.

MB229.5 specification engine oil is not an "old formula" product. It is a different up to date formula vs the newer diesel engine oils designed for the newer emissions systems. It is an engine oil specification which is still currently listed for use. Additionally it is the only engine oil specification listed for the newer Sprinter M274 gasoline engine.


FWIW.

vic

ADDED:

The newest model VS30 2019 - 2022 Sprinter 2.0L M274 L4 turbo gasoline engine specifies only MB229.5 spec oil as being officially approved.

From the 2008 Operating Manual
Back in 2008 Mercedes approved MB229.31, MB229.3, MB229.51, MB229.5 spec engine oil for the M272 gasoline engine offered in Sprinters. I find it interesting that only MB229.5 has stood the test of time for engines which don't have the newer design emissions systems. And to the point, the T1N Sprinter 5 cylinder engine doesn't have the newer design emissions systems. That is why MB229.5 and other "older" formulations continue to be a good choice for the older engines.
NCV32008operatingManual.jpg


MB Engine Oil PDF [Attached]
Notes:
In general, the binding engine oil specification (MB-sheet) is documented in the relevant operating manual of the vehicle.
Information on unlisted or older engine types are described in the manual of the vehicle or the maintenance instructions.

The prescribed engine oil drain may be dependent on the applied engine oil specification.
When using certain specifications reduced engine oil drain intervals have to be considered.
Details are documented in the operating manual of the vehicle, the service information or maintenance instructions.
Multi grade oils can be used all year-round taking into consideration the outside temperature (see sheet 224.1)
The suitability of the applied viscosity grade (SAE grade) for the expected outside temperatures has to be ensured before the cold season starts


MB229.52 Ravenol VMS SAE 5W-30 COMPACT:

* Compared with 229.1/229.3/229.5: lower sulphur, phosphorous and ash forming content, better compatibility with DPF.
* Compared with 229.1/229.3: more environmentally friendly, increased potential fuel savings.
* 229.52 backwards compatible with 229.51, backwards compatible with 229.31: in each case the requirements are more stringent compared with older specifications 229.1/229.3/229.5
* 229.52/229.51/229.31 are therefore not backwards compatible with 229.5/229.3/229.1
* 229.52: currently has the most stringent requirements [Which are created/needed for the newest design emissions control systems.]
* The engines are installed in vehicles including the current ML and GL models, as well as R, S, and G class vehicles.
 

Attachments

Last edited:

220629

Well-known member
Just some older model Sprinter oil information. More for historical value than for use, but there are some interesting Oil Change Intervals OCI included.

Thanks goes to Cheyenne Keith. :thumbup:

T1SprinterOil Info01.jpg

T1SprinterOil Info02.jpg

T1SprinterOil Info03.jpg

T1SprinterOil Info04.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom