I am considering switching my 500E to synthetic oil. At present I use GTX 10/40. I am primarily switching because I believe it will help keep engine temps lower.

My concern is that I don't drive the car daily, sometimes a week or a month goes by in winter when I don't use it. Will the oil drain from the lifters? I switched to synthetic in my Range Rover V8, and if that is not driven for 3-4 days the oil drains from the lifters and they clatter like crazy for a second or two. Does this happen to the Merc V8?

David Hendy
500E '92 65k miles

I have had no trouble switching to Mobil 1 15-50 from the conventional oil that was used by the previous owner. I do not notice any lifter noise upon startup after the car sits a week or two... I have not seen any increase in oil leaks either.... I made the switch at 47,000 miles - now it has 53,XXX.

TWB
92 500E

I dont think there would be much problems using a fully synthetic oil though I would prefer to use semi-synthetic for engines above 5 years old. However, this is a matter of personal preference.

The oil will not drain from the filter - not that I have noticed any of this happening. I would be more concerned about the hoses and cables going brittle from storage. This was what I found when storing my brother's W123 ... that the hoses went dry and brittle. I needed to run the car more often than once a fortnight just so that the juices could be pumped up and lubricate every possible hose and cable there is!

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I converted my 500E to 15W-50 Mobil 1 last year, when it had 43k mi. on the odo. It now has 80k, and not a drop has leaked out.

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"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo