Mercedes approvals are used when selecting engine oils for Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach, Smart and Daimler Chrysler.
Mercedes approvals
Mercedes Benz cars, trucks and buses have been renowned for their quality and position in the premium segment for over 120 years. That’s why Mercedes-Benz engine lubricants have to meet the highest requirements of today’s engine oil market.
The conformity of the oils with the manufacturer’s requirements is expressed numerically and alphabetically and is defined by the word “approval”. This designation is recorded in every vehicle’s service book and affixed to lubricant canisters, allowing the vehicle owner to use his or her own Mercedes engine oil of this particular type.
In order to obtain approval from Mercedes-Benz and the right to display its designation on the labels of the canisters, the engine oil manufacturer has to work hard. A manufacturer’s certificate certifies that the oil meets exacting standards. This is awarded following rigorous lubricant tests.
As a result, the engine oil is assigned certain tolerances, which determine the high quality of the product and its compatibility with the engine of a specific vehicle.
What is the Mercedes specification?
Mercedes specifications are symbolic designations for the properties of an engine oil for a specific type of Mercedes vehicle and it is by these that you select the oil for your Mercedes vehicle. By selecting oil according to the appropriate specification, you ensure that you are using the right oil for your Mercedes.
Mercedes engine oil approvals
The name MB specifications comes from the Mercedes Bluebook scheme, divided into numbered paragraphs and pages. It is used by dealers to identify manufacturer-approved products and their correct application on engines.
MB 226.5
This specification is required for Mercedes cars with petrol engines supplied by the Renault-Nissan alliance. The specification requirements are similar to MB 229.5.
MB 226.51
This specification is based on RN0720 and is recommended for Mercedes cars with diesel engines with DPF supplied by Renault. Oils complying with this specification have very good thermal stability and compatibility with aftertreatment systems.
MB 229.1
For petrol and diesel engines. Minimum required ACEA A2/B2 quality with additional engine restrictions.
MB 229.3
For petrol and diesel engines. Minimum required quality ACEA A3 / B3 / B4 and MB 229.1. Can only certify 0/ 5 W-x oils.
MB 229.31
All-season low-SAPS engine oil recommended for Mercedes Benz, Smart and Chrysler diesel and petrol engines. Only engine oils with a low viscosity that can achieve a 1.0% fuel economy in the M111 Fuel economy test (CEC L-54-T-96) are eligible for this approval. In this test, the fuel economy is compared with that of the reference oil RL 191 (SAE 15W-40).
MB 229.5
MB sheet for energy-saving oils for certain passenger car and van engines. Approved oils must comply with the ACEA A3, B3 and B4 specifications and certain additional requirements of Daimler Chrysler AG. The oil must be included in the list of approved oils.
MB 229.51
Low-SAPS Long Life engine oil for diesel engines with particle filter complying with EU-4 emission standards ->.
MB 229.52
Oils meeting this specification must have a lower ash content, at least 1% better fuel economy than the requirements of MB 229.31 and MB 229.51 as well as better oxidation stability for compatibility with biofuels. Can also be used where MB 229.31 or MB 229.51 oil is required. Like MB 229.5 and MB 229.51, this standard requires a long life oil.