Confused about what oil to use
If you aren’t confused about which oil to use you are lucky! Just Mobil 1 ESP is confusing enough without even writing about other brands.
Day 1 when I got our Sprinter, I went to Walmart to pick up a couple of quarts of oil for just in case. I did not take my owner’s manual (here under Sprinter reference material), choosing instead to rely on my (failing) memory. I came home with 2 quarts of Mobil 1 Delvac ESP 5w-40. In reading the label, it was for low ash diesel engines, mentioned EGR valves, sounded like the right oil. Wrong!
Shopping for Mobil 1 ESP labeled oil is like buying snow on top of Mt. McKinley. It is everywhere, all kinds, for SUVs, diesel trucks, low-ash engines, turbo diesel truck, extra mileage, Formula M, BUT and it is a big but, you cannot go by what marketing (surprise) says using words. You can only go by the specifications often only in abbreviated form on the container itself.
For the Sprinter 2007-2009, oil must meet MB (that is Mercedes Benz) approval 228.51/229.31/229.51 and you should try to use the 229.51 because it is the most recent specification. Oil with specification MB 228.5/229.3 or 229.5 can be used in emergencies and then use no more than 1 quart.
And new (not in the owners manual) Mobil 1 ESP oils are also coming out that are formulated to meet those specifications. For example Mobi1 ESP Formula 5w-30 available at your Dodge Sprinter dealer as part number 68001334AA, meets the 229.51 (here under Sprinter reference material.) Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 is available at your Mercedes dealer - I paid $7.43 a quart, part number 0168-Q-1-09-0142.
What’s a guy or girl to do? Trust no one. The truth is out there . . . use the data sheets from the manufacturer to verify what you are told. Above all, use the correct oil. If you have the incorrect oil you risk damaging the DPF filter and that will cost you much more than replacing the incorrect oil with the correct one.
