Part 2

BB00.40-P-0221-00A Requirements In Respect Of Engine Oils

Area VIII - Environment

52. No negative effects on health and environment
The health and environment area is naturally a factor of major importance. With regard to manufacture, use and disposal, special care must be taken to ensure that there are no detrimental effects on health and environment.

53. No negative effects on exhaust after treatment systems (particulate filters, three way catalytic converters and oxygen sensors)
Exhaust after treatment systems for reducing the emissions of gasoline engines such as the oxygen sensor and the three-way catalytic converter must not be detrimentally affected by engine oils or the combustion products thereof. In modern diesel engines, exhaust after treatment systems, such as e.g particulate or soot filters, CRT, SCR systems, etc. may not be negatively influenced by basic oil components and additives of the engine oil. Likewise the oil consumption should therefore not increase.

54. No contribution to particulates
Further developments in diesel engines are geared towards major efforts being undertaken to ensure that the level of particulates is significantly reduced. Because a significant portion of these particulates originates from oil, oil-consumption levels have been successfully cut back in recent years. However, the basic oil components and additives still require to be analyzed and optimized in terms of bringing about further particulate reductions.

55. Does not emit odors
Engine oils must not emit any unpleasant odors even at high temperatures. In this context, consideration should be given to drivers and passengers as well as the people who work in factories, workshops and warehouses.

56. No disadvantages when disposing off and recycling
Until such time as lifetime oil is available oil will always need to be changed. Naturally, it is sensible to drain off this oil, collect it and to convey it to a reputable recycling plant. Right back at the initial conception of the engine oil, consideration must be given to ensuring that no problems will arise later on when it needs to be disposed off or recycled.

Engine-oil tests
For the evaluation of engine oil quality there are both absolute dimensional units and comparative assessments and judgments. The fastest and most economical method of testing is that of a chemical- physical analysis conducted in the laboratory. Laboratory analysis enables several important properties to be determined, e.g. viscosity, alkalinity, sulfate ash content, corrosion behavior, etc.; however, for the purpose of a final quality evaluation, tests must be conducted in specific test machines and engines. For these tests there are a number of methods and test equipment available which enable one or at the same time several characteristics in the engine oil to be analyzed.

The following test equipment is used in the appraisal of engine oils:
- testing machines with simple components
- test sets for inspecting oil on individual engine components
- single-cylinder engines on test rig
- multiple-cylinder engines on test rig
- engines in operation.

Because of the fact that these test methods differ significantly in outlay, the tests are conducted as each situation demands.

With regard to the overall assessment of an engine oil various countries and many different institutions have compiled specifications comprising of a series of test methods.

The best known internationally are the classifications of the American Petroleum Institute (API, information on the Internet under www.api.org), as well as the test sequences of the European automotive manufacturers ACEA (ACEA = Association des Constructeurs Europe�ns de L#'Automobile; information on the internet under www.acea.be). The ACEA test sequences were presented for the first time in December 1995. As of January 1st 1996, these ACEA test sequences replaced the CCMC test sequences valid until then.

In the Mercedes-Benz engine oil specifications listed on the following pages the ACEA test sequences are taken into account as basic requirements. However, to some extent our requirements for modern engine oils in the Mercedes-Benz engine oil specifications go significantly beyond the requirements in the ACEA test sequences.

Due to the needs of current and future production engines, such as extension of oil change intervals, greater fuel saving, lower wear, better engine cleanliness, further reduction in emissions, better environmental compatibility and many more, a higher performance from the engine oils is required. In other words, in the Mercedes- Benz engine oil specifications more tests or additional test criteria and to some extent more stringent limits are required than those by the ACEA in order to achieve the objectives stated.

Break-in engine oils
Break-in engine oils are suitable for running in and continued operation of engines beyond the prescribed maximum mileage or service life. They are likewise used for function test and preservation of engines.

They are charged with the task of exerting a favorable influence on the engine's running-in process. In addition to this they must have good corrosion protection. They must be capable of protecting the inside of the engine against corrosion even at high humidity conditions (sea or tropical climates), of bonding small quantities of condensed water, or preventing it from coming into contact with the metal and of neutralizing the acidic combustion and aging products in the engine. Sufficient additives must be used in order to prevent or reduce wear, deposits, sludge, aging (oxidation) and in order to further reduce the fuel consumption of the engines. When using these oils no disadvantageous changes are allowed to occur to the engine.

An overview of which break-in engine oil is allowed to be used with which engine can be found on Sheet 223.1.

Sheet 225.0 (single-grade oils SAE 30) and Sheet 225.1 (multigrade oils SAE 15W-30)
These break-in engine oils are no longer used. Replacement by current break-in engine oils according to sheet 223.1 For questions concerning this matter, please contact the Abteilung Betriebsstoffe (Operating Fluids department) Dr. Czermin, tel. +49-711-17-54741.

Sheet 225.5 (multigrade oils SAE 15W-40)
These break-in engine oils are only approved in exceptional cases for older diesel engines in model series 300 and model series 400 for oil distances of up to a maximum of 5000 km and oil operating periods of up to a maximum of 100 h. They have been superseded by the break-in engine oils described in sheets 225.6 and 225.12. Use of the break-in engine oils described in sheet 225.5 in exceptional case only, if no other approved break-in engine oil is available. (For application refer also to Sheet 223.1).

Sheet 225.6 (multigrade oils SAE 10W-40 and SAE 5W-30)
These break-in engine oils are released for certain diesel engines in model series 300, 400, 500, (600) and 900 for oil distances up to a maximum of 100,000 km (vehicle-dependent, corresponding to the maintenance booklet) and oil running times up to a maximum of 2000 h. (for use, see also Sheet 223.1)

Sheet 225.7 (multigrade oils SAE 15W-40)
These break-in engine oils are no longer used. Sheet 225.7 was therefore removed from the Specifications for Operating Fluids with supplement 15, as announced in supplement 14. They have been superseded by the latest break-in engine oils, as described in sheet 223.1. For questions concerning this matter, please contact the Abteilung Betriebsstoffe (Operating Fluids department Mr. Dr. Czermin, tel. +49-711-17-54741.

Sheet 225.8 (multigrade oils SAE 10W-40)
These break-in engine oils are only approved for certain older engines of model series100, model series 600 (see sheet 223.1) for oil distances of up to a maximum of 15,000 km (without ASSYST). Currently, they are gradually being superseded by the break-in engine oils described in sheets 225.10, 225.11 and 225.12. For use, see sheet 223.1.

Sheet 225.10 (multigrade oils SAE 5W-30)
These low-friction break-in engine oils (for definition of low-friction oils, see Sheet 222.0) are approved for certain current passenger car engines (model series 100, model series 200, model series 600) and commercial vehicle engines from the passenger car range (model series 100, model series 200, model series 600). The exceptions are engines such as those for vehicles with diesel particulate filters, for AMG vehicles and certain older engines.

Compared with Sheet 225.8 these engine oils exhibit the following features:
- higher quality with regard to wear and cleanliness
- better cold-starting properties
- even further improved fuel saving potential
- potential for longer oil change intervals (in combination with new oil filter elements)
- better environmental compatibility

Sheet 225.11 (multigrade oils SAE 5W-30) with low sulfur content, low phosphor content and low content of ash-forming components - "Low SPAsh oils"
These "Low SPAsh" low-friction break-in engine oils (for definition of low-friction oils, see Sheet 222.0) are only approved for model series 600 passenger car diesel engines or passenger cars with diesel engines that are equipped with diesel particulate filters. For use, see sheet 223.1.

Compared with Sheet 225.8 these engine oils exhibit the following features:
- higher quality with regard to wear and cleanliness
- better cold-starting properties
- even further improved fuel saving potential
- better environmental compatibility

Compared with Sheet 225.10 these engine oils exhibit the following features:
- better environmental compatibility
- better compatibility with exhaust after treatment systems such as diesel particulate filters by having lower sulfur content, phosphor content and ash-forming component content

More information on these low SPAsh oils can be found in the description in sheet 229.31.

Sheet 225.12 (multigrade oils SAE 10W-40) with low sulfur content, low phosphor content and low content of ash-forming components - "Low SPAsh oils")
The "Low SPAsh" break-in engine oils described in sheet 225.12 (and sheet 228.51) currently represent the highest oil grade with low sulfur content, low phosphor content and low ash-forming component content (low ash) for commercial vehicle diesel engines, with appropriate extensive requirements. SAE 10W-40 "Low SPAsh" break-in engine oils are currently only approved for selected diesel engines that are equipped with particulate filter systems such as DPF and CRT.
For use, see sheet 223.1.

More information on the new Low SPAsh break-in engine oils described in sheet 225.12 can be found in the description in sheet 228.51 ("Low SPAsh" engine oils for oil service).

Sheet 225.14 (multigrade oils SAE 5W-30 with low sulfur content, low phosphor content, and low content of ash-forming components - "Low SPAsh oils")
These "Low SPAsh" low-friction break-in engine oils (for definition of low-friction oils see sheet 222.0) are intended for certain current passenger car engines (model series 200, model series 600) and for certain passenger car diesel engines of model series 600 with and without diesel particulate filter.

What is sheet 225.14?
- A passenger car engine oil specification for "Low SPAsh" engine oils at highest performance level (equivalent to performance capability of sheet 225.10).
- An engine oil specification, which is geared (as was sheet 225.11) to excellent compatibility with exhaust after treatment systems, such as diesel particulate filter (DPF) and three-way catalytic converters for NOx reduction (SCR).

Compared with Sheet 225.10 these engine oils exhibit the following features:
- better environmental compatibility
- better compatibility with exhaust after treatment systems such as diesel particulate filters by having a lower sulfur content, lower phosphor content and lower content of ash-forming components.

Compared with Sheet 225.11 these engine oils exhibit the following features:
- higher quality with regard to wear and cleanliness
- Mercedes even further improved fuel saving potential

More information on these low SPAsh oils can be found in the description on sheet 229.51.

In all cases, the oil change specifications, as specified in the maintenance booklet for the respective vehicle, apply.

Break-in engine oil requirements for approval by Mercedes-Benz
The most important requirements which we stipulate for a Mercedes even Benz approval of break-in engine oils are shown in the summary table below "Mercedes-Benz specifications for engine oils (factory fill)". This requirement table can be requested from Dr. Czermin, Abteilung Betriebsstoffe (Operating Fluids department), tel.:+49-711-17-54741, email: Christian.Czermin@Daimler.com if necessary.