When shopping for Mercedes Benz C300 engine oils, many owners wonder what type of oil specification their specific model uses. Blauparts is here to help! In this blog article, we've put together a Mercedes Benz C300 oil type application list or guide to help you determine the correct Mercedes C-Class oil type needed when changing your motor oil. We offer a full line of premium approved European Mercedes Benz C300 oils and convenient BLAU Oil Change Kits that include the necessary quantity of oil, oil type, oil filter, and hardware for 2008 - 2022 Mercedes Benz C300 models.
With our long history as an independent service garage with over 30 years of hands-on experience in automotive service, we've seen many mechanical breakdowns on vehicles. Experience has shown that changing your oils and fluids is the most crucial preventive maintenance routine to avoid vehicle breakdowns. Regular oil change intervals and using high-quality OEM approved engine oils can significantly help extend the life of your engine to well over 150,000 miles and beyond.
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What Type of Engine Oil Should I Use In My Mercedes Benz C300?
The owner's manual specifies the recommended Mercedes C300 oil, specifications, quality standards, and oil viscosity weight. Always consult the vehicle's service owner's manual to confirm what specific fluids or oils are required for your Mercedes C300 model. These specifications can typically be referenced in the owner's manual index under engine oil or operating fluids. If the owner's manual has been lost and it is difficult to determine what type of Mercedes C300 oil to use, refer to our BLAU® Oil Change Kits buttons below, which match the correct Mercedes C300 oil specification, oil filter, and hardware for each specific model and engine type.
Recommended Mercedes Benz C300 Oil Type Specifications
MB 229.5 Mercedes C300 Oil Type
Mercedes MB 229.5 oil type specification was introduced around 2009 in the USA. This engine oil formulation is a high-performance oil formulation primarily used in Mercedes gasoline engines and diesel engines without diesel particulate filter (PDF) emission systems. The MB 229.5 oil specification is a Full SAPS additive (Full Sulfated Ash Phosphorus Sulfur) formulation and is suitable for extended oil change intervals. The MB 229.5 oil formulation requires a minimum high temperature, a high shear viscosity of HTHS of 3.5 mPa*s, and a TBN (Total Base Number) of 10.0 or higher. The base oil of Mercedes MB 229.5 formulation should consist of a group III or a mix of group III and IV quality levels. To minimize mechanical engine issues only use a Mercedes-Benz MB-approved oil quality specification as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
- MB 229.5 oil type is available in a broad range of oil viscosity or weights, from SAE 0W30, 0W40, 5W30, or 5W40.
- MB 229.5 oil type correlates to the European ACEA A3 B4 oil specification.
- If you are unable to source MB 229.5 engine oil in your region when low engine oil level emergencies arise, or when your Mercedes C300 oil change is drastically past due, you can temporarily use an oil meeting MB 229.3, BMW Longlife-01, VW 502 00, or Porsche A40 oil specifications with SAE 0W30, 0W40, 5W30, or 5W40 viscosity weight. If those substitutes cannot be sourced, an oil meeting ACEA A3 B4 with a SAE 0W30, 0W40, 5W30, or 5W40 viscosity could temporarily be used in its place. When the correct Mercedes C-Class MB 229.5 oil becomes available, it would be best to perform another Mercedes C300 engine oil change service as soon as reasonably possible.
- Engine oils that have received the Mercedes Benz MB 229.5 specification approvals have been tested more extensively than “off the shelve” oils which typically are lower in quality having a simple set of oil standards covering a broad and general range of requirements.
- For the absolute best Mercedes C300 engine oil performance, always use engine oil with the formal Mercedes Benz approved MB 229.5 oil specification.
MB 229.5 Oil Type is Used in following Mercedes Benz C300 Models:
- 2008 - 2012 Mercedes Benz C300 3.0L V6 models use MB 229.5 oil type
- 2013 - 2014 Mercedes Benz C300 3.5L V6 models use MB 229.5 oil type
- 2015 - 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.5 oil type
- 2017 - 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 Coupe 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.5 oil type
- 2017 - 2018 Mercedes Benz C300 Convertible 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.5 oil type
MB 229.52 Mercedes C300 Oil Type
Mercedes MB 229.52 oil type specification was introduced around 2012 in the USA and was primarily recommended for use in the Mercedes BlueTec diesel engines. However, the MB 229.52 oil specification continued to evolve and is one of the latest formulation requirements for use in gasoline engines. The latest gasoline engines in the United States are being equipped with GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) emission systems. The MB 229.52 oil spec is recommended for select 2019 onward small-displacement Mercedes gasoline engines equipped with those systems, such as the Mercedes Benz C300 2.0-liter M260 and M264 engines. The oil must contribute to the decrease or the elimination of LSPI mid to low-speed pre-ignition issues in gasoline engines. LSPI problems have recently become more commonplace due to the new ethanol types of gasoline formulations and modern gasoline engine designs driven by EPA requirements. It is important to note, an engine that experiences prolonged LSPI issues can cause catastrophic engine failure (e.g. cracked pistons, amplified and advanced timing chain wear, etc.). Consequently, consumers must use the latest MB 229.52 oil engine oil when recommended which is formulated to minimize or eliminate LSPI in gasoline engines.
- Mercedes MB 229.52 oil type is typically an SAE 0W30, 5W30, or 5W40 oil viscosity or weight. Along with the MB 229.52 oil specification the MB 229.51 and 229.31 oil specifications can also be used in the 2019 - 2021 Mercedes C300 2.0-liter gasoline engines.
- Mercedes MB 229.52 oil type correlates to the European ACEA C3 oil specification.
- We primarily recommend the MB 229.52 oil formulation over the older 229.51 and 229.31 specs due to its fuel economy improvements over the earlier MB 229.51 and MB 229.31 specs. Mercedes Benz C300 MB 229.52 oil type in an improved oil specification and can be used in place of the older MB 229.31 and MB 229.51 oil specifications.
- Engine oils that have received the Mercedes Benz MB Approval 229.52 have been tested more extensively than popular “off the shelve” oils which typically are lower in quality having a simple set of oil standards covering a broad and general range of lubrication requirements. Using engine oil with the Mercedes MB 229.52 approval will improve fuel economy, provide better oil pumpability or viscosity flow, improved resistance to foaming, and more resistance to sludge oxidation.
- If you are unable to source MB 229.52 engine oil in your region when low engine oil level emergencies arise, or when your Mercedes C300 oil change is drastically past due, you can temporarily use an oil meeting MB 229.51, MB 229.31, MB 228.52, MB 228.51, MB 228.31, MB 228.61 with SAE 5W30 could temporarily be used in its place. When the correct Mercedes C-Class MB 229.52 oil becomes available, it would be best to perform another Mercedes C300 engine oil change service as soon as reasonably possible.
- For the absolute best Mercedes C300 engine oil performance, always use engine oil with the formal Mercedes Benz approved MB 229.52 oil specification.
MB 229.52 Oil Type is Used in the following Mercedes Benz C300 Models:
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.52 oil type
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.52 oil type
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 Convertible 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.52 oil type
MB 229.71 Mercedes C300 Oil Type
Mercedes MB 229.71 oil type specification was introduced around 2016 but was not recommended for oil change services until 2019. Currently, this engine oil specification is recommended for use in small-displacement turbocharged 4 cylinder gasoline engine codes M260, M264, and M256 V6 engines from 2019 onward. It is also recommended for the new small-displacement Mercedes diesel engine fitted in small chassis models offered in other parts of the world except for the USA. The MB 229.71 oil specification is a Mid-Low SAPS (Sulfated Ash Phosphorus Sulfur) additive formulation developed for gasoline engines equipped with GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) and diesel engines with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) emission systems. The engine oil is formulated to achieve improved fuel economy and extended oil change intervals. The MB 229.71 specification requires a minimum high temperature and high shear viscosity of HTHS of 2.6 to 2.9 mPa*s and TBN (Total Base Number) of 7.5 or higher.
The transition into Low SAPS oils now being recommended for Mercedes C300 gasoline engines, appears to be driven in part by a new tier of stricter EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) emission standards. The new tier standards are changing gasoline engine design technologies and also requiring some gasoline engines to be equipped with modern GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) emission systems. The new EPA standards that have been implemented are also driving change in different gasoline formulations which are now being distributed throughout the continental United States.
- The Mercedes MB 229.71 is recommended for the C300 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine as listed below when the very best in fuel economy is desired.
- Mercedes MB 229.71 oil type is always an SAE 0W20 oil viscosity or weight.
- Mercedes MB 229.71 oil type correlates to the European ACEA C5 oil specification.
- If you are unable to source MB 229.71 engine oil in your region when low engine oil level emergencies arise, or when your Mercedes C300 oil change is drastically past due, you can temporarily use an oil meeting MB 229.51, MB 229.52, MB 229.61 oil specifications with SAE 0W30, 0W40, 5W30, or 5W40 viscosity weight. If those substitutes cannot be sourced, an oil meeting ACEA C5 with a SAE 0W20, 0W30, 0W40, 5W30, or 5W40 viscosity could temporarily be used in its place. When the correct Mercedes C-Class MB 229.71 oil becomes available, it would be best to perform another Mercedes C300 engine oil change service as soon as reasonably possible.
- Engine oils that have received the Mercedes Benz MB Approval 229.71 have been tested more extensively than popular “off the shelve” oils which typically are lower in quality having a simple set of oil standards covering a broad and general range of lubrication requirements.
- For the absolute best Mercedes C300 engine oil performance, always use engine oil with the formal Mercedes Benz approved MB 229.71 oil specification.
MB 229.71 Oil Type is Used in the following Mercedes Benz C300 Models:
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.71 oil type
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.71 oil type
- 2019 - 2021 Mercedes-Benz C300 Convertible 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.71 oil type
- 2022 - 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.71 oil type
- 2022 - 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 Convertible Coupe 2.0L Turbo models use MB 229.71 oil type
Mercedes Benz C300 Oil Change Interval
The recommended Mercedes Benz C300 oil change intervals may depend on your exact year and engine option and circumstances.
Important Information! The below oil change interval recommendations should only be followed with an oil that has the OEM Mercedes Benz C300 oil quality specifications listed explicitly on the datasheet or oil bottle, along with an OEM oil filter designed for extended oil change intervals. Using engine oils labeled without the correct Mercedes Benz C300 oil type specification, and using generic aftermarket oil filters, could lead to engine mechanical breakdowns and reliability issues associated with the vehicle's emission system components.
- Depending on the exact Mercedes Benz C300 model, the recommended oil change interval is every 10,000 miles - 13,000 miles miles, once a year, whichever occurs first.
Under certain circumstances, we recommend performing oil change intervals more frequently. If the vehicle is exposed to any of the below-driving conditions, consider changing the engine oil sooner. Examples:
- The engine is new and is still going through the break-in period.
- The engine is consistently under load and subject to conditions such as sustained high speeds or in spirited driving conditions.
- Consistently using ethanol types of gasoline (premium non-ethanol types of gasoline recommended for extended oil change intervals).
- Driving short distances or stop-and-go intermittent driving where complete engine operating temperature is not reached—especially in cold winter climates.
- Running the engine at idle for an extended period.
- Drive-in extreme hot summer temperatures for an extended period.
Modern synthetic engine oils have motivated some owners to run their oil longer than the recommended change interval or oil change service. However, it is the best practice to stick to the Mercedes Benz C300 recommended oil change interval. We feel that the vehicle manufacturers have done due diligence in defining the correct engine oil specification requirements and quality standards, and precisely how many miles an owner should run the oil to ensure the best engine longevity. If you choose to run an oil with an OEM Approval beyond the recommended change interval, it would be a good practice to confirm it can be run safely beyond it, by collecting a sample of your used engine oil. After collecting the sample, you should send it to an oil analysis laboratory so they can analyze and test the oil to confirm it has not broken down, and it is still maintaining its ability to provide maximum lubrication protection for whatever length of oil change interval you may be choosing.
Always consult your service manual and confirm the specific fluid and oil requirements for your application. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended oil change intervals. Blauparts and Ravenol are not affiliated with Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, MBUSA, its affiliated companies, subsidiaries, its licensors, or any other vehicle manufacturer. All trademarks and OE specification part numbers referenced in this product listing are displayed for identification purposes only and are in no way intended to denote any affiliation with their corresponding owners.