MB 229.51 and 229.52: engine oil to Mercedes-Benz sheet 229
Which engine oil does your Mercedes-Benz need? This page explains what MB 229.51, 229.52 and 229.31 stand for, how an approval differs from a specification, and which Elat engine oils list the Mercedes sheets.
Mercedes sheet 229: how the numbering works
Mercedes-Benz sets out its requirements for engine oils, gear oils and other service fluids in its own specifications for service products. Each standard has a numbered sheet: the 229 series covers passenger car engine oils, the 228 series engine oils for commercial vehicles and the 236 series transmission fluids. The digits after the point distinguish the individual sheets within a series. Anyone looking for an oil to MB 229.51 therefore needs more than the right viscosity – the oil has to cover the requirements of exactly that sheet.
Owner’s manuals, service documents and containers write the same standard in different ways, for example “MB 229.52”, “MB sheet 229.52” or “Mercedes-Benz 229.52”. They all refer to the same sheet. Two questions decide the choice: which sheet does your engine require – and does the oil merely list that sheet as a specification, or does it state an approval?
In brief
For modern Mercedes-Benz engines, especially diesels with a particulate filter, Mercedes-Benz calls for low-ash oils to sheet 229.31, 229.51 or 229.52, usually in 5W-30. Older sheets such as 229.5 are not low-SAPS and are generally not intended for diesels with a particulate filter. In the Elat range, only 5W30 Premium LongLife 3 carries an expressly stated MB 229.52 approval.
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Approval or specification: what MB 229.52 on a label means
For each sheet, Mercedes-Benz publishes a list of the oils that have been granted an approval. On the container, the difference usually shows in the heading: an MB 229.52 approval is not the same as MB 229.52 appearing in the list of specifications and recommendations.
Exactly one oil in the Elat range states a manufacturer approval: the label of 5W30 Premium LongLife 3 names MB 229.52 expressly as an approval. The other Mercedes entries on the same label, sheets 229.51 and 226.5, are listed as specifications – as are ACEA C3, API SP, VW 504.00/507.00 and BMW Longlife-04.
5W30 Extra LongLife 3, 0W30 Zero Tec VW, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3 and 5W40 High Tec Quantum also name MB 229.52, but as a specification. According to their labels, these oils are specified to the requirements of the sheet; they do not state a Mercedes-Benz approval.
When an approval is required
If a job sheet or service plan explicitly calls for an oil with Mercedes-Benz approval to 229.52, the only option in the Elat range is 5W30 Premium LongLife 3. In all other cases, the owner’s manual decides if a specification will do – we are glad to go through it with you.
MB 229.51, 229.52 and 229.31: low-ash oils for particulate filters and BlueTEC
For engines with a diesel particulate filter and modern exhaust after-treatment, Mercedes-Benz specifies low-ash sheets. MB 229.31 is regarded as the low-ash development of 229.3, and sheet 229.51 as the low-ash development of 229.5. MB 229.52 sets higher requirements still and is the most recent stage of this group. The formulation follows the low-SAPS principle of ACEA class C3: less sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur, so that particulate filters and catalytic converters are protected.
Anyone searching for a “BlueTEC engine oil” is, as a rule, looking for an oil to one of these three sheets. BlueTEC diesel engines use extensive exhaust after-treatment including a particulate filter, for which Mercedes-Benz specifies low-ash oils. Which of the three sheets applies is stated in the owner’s manual. A useful detail: every Elat oil that lists MB 229.52 also lists 229.51.
| MB sheet | In brief | Elat oils listing this sheet | Viscosity of the Elat oils |
|---|---|---|---|
| 229.52 | low-ash, higher requirements than 229.51 | Approval: 5W30 Premium LongLife 3; as a specification: 5W30 Extra LongLife 3, 0W30 Zero Tec VW, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3, 5W40 High Tec Quantum | 5W-30, 0W-30, 5W-40 |
| 229.51 | low-ash, for petrol and diesel engines | all five oils in the 229.52 row plus 5W30 Classic LongLife 3, 5W30 LongLife 3 and 5W30 C4 Ren Tec | 5W-30, 0W-30, 5W-40 |
| 229.31 | low-ash, development of 229.3 | 5W30 Extra LongLife 3, 0W30 Zero Tec VW, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3, 5W40 High Tec Quantum, 5W30 C4 Ren Tec | 5W-30, 0W-30, 5W-40 |
| 229.5, 229.3, 229.1 | older sheets without a low-SAPS requirement | 5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic | 5W-40 |
| 226.5 / 226.51 | a separate series alongside 229 | 226.5: 5W30 Premium LongLife 3, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3, 5W40 High Tec Quantum, 5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic; 226.51: 5W30 C4 Ren Tec | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| 229.61 | more recent sheet for certain engines | 0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6 | 0W-30 |
| 229.71 / 229.72 | more recent sheets for certain engines | 0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil | 0W-20 |
Elat engine oils listing Mercedes-Benz sheet 229
Green marks the only expressly stated approval; blue marks the Mercedes sheets that appear as specifications on each label.
5W30 Premium LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
The only Elat oil with an expressly stated approval: MB 229.52.
5W30 Extra LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
0W30 Zero Tec VW
0W-30 · Motor Oil
5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W40 High Tec Quantum
5W-40 · Motor Oil
5W30 LongLife 3
5W-30 · Motor Oil
5W30 C4 Ren Tec
5W-30 · Motor Oil
Approval or specification?
Only expressly stated manufacturer approvals are marked “Approval”. All other entries are specifications and recommendations as printed on the product label; the entries relevant to this topic are highlighted. For your vehicle or machine, the owner’s manual and the manufacturer’s approval lists always take precedence. If in doubt, we are happy to advise you.
MB 229.5, MB 226.5, 229.61 and 229.71: placing the other sheets
Not every Mercedes sheet is low-ash. MB 229.5 and the older sheets 229.3 and 229.1 contain no low-SAPS requirement. In the Elat range, 5W40 K2 Hightec HC Synthetic, a 5W-40 of ACEA class A3/B4, lists all three. Such an oil is generally not intended for diesel engines with a particulate filter, but it can be the right choice for older engines whose owner’s manual names one of these sheets.
MB 226.5 belongs to a separate series alongside 229. It appears as a specification on 5W30 Premium LongLife 3, 5W30 Mega Tec LongLife 3 and the K2 5W-40, among others. Your owner’s manual will tell you whether your vehicle requires an oil to 226.5.
Certain newer engines have more recent sheets such as 229.61 or MB 229.71 and 229.72. 0W30 Profi Tec for Euro 6 lists MB 229.61, while 0W20 VW Tec Blue Oil lists sheets 229.71 and 229.72 as specifications. If one of these sheets is required, follow it exactly – only Mercedes-Benz decides whether an oil to a different sheet is permitted.
Practical tips for workshops and mixed fleets
In many workshops and fleets, Mercedes vehicles sit alongside models from other manufacturers. These points make choosing and stocking oil easier:
- Record the full requirement: sheet and viscosity belong together, for example “sheet 229.51, SAE 5W-30”. Either detail on its own is not enough.
- One oil for several makes: five of the oils shown here list VW 504.00/507.00 and BMW Longlife-04 alongside sheet 229.51, including 5W30 LongLife 3 and 5W30 Classic LongLife 3.
- Compare label and product page: each product page shows every specification from the label and, if one exists, the technical data sheet.
- Document approvals: if a Mercedes-Benz approval is required, note on the job sheet which oil was used – in the Elat range, this only concerns MB 229.52 on Premium LongLife 3.
Global Tech Lubricants supplies workshops, retailers, industry and fleets throughout Germany with Elat engine oils made in Germany. Our motor oil guide covers the basics of viscosity, oil types and low SAPS; for an overview of nationwide supply, see Supply across Germany.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MB 229.51 and MB 229.52?
Both sheets describe low-ash engine oils for petrol and diesel engines – with or without a particulate filter. MB 229.52 is the more recent stage and sets higher requirements. In the Elat range, every oil with 229.52 also lists 229.51 – your owner’s manual tells you which sheet your engine needs.
Is an MB 229.5 oil suitable for a diesel with a particulate filter?
Generally not. MB 229.5 is not a low-ash sheet; for diesel engines with a particulate filter, Mercedes-Benz specifies oils to 229.31, 229.51 or 229.52. Your owner’s manual is decisive.
How can I tell whether an oil has Mercedes-Benz approval?
On Elat labels, an approval is shown separately under “Approval”, while specifications and recommendations follow in a list of their own. On this page the approval is marked in green: MB 229.52 on 5W30 Premium LongLife 3. You can also check the manufacturer’s approval lists to see whether Mercedes-Benz currently lists an oil.
Does MB 236 apply to engine oil?
No. Sheets in the 236 series cover transmission fluids, such as oils for automatic transmissions; passenger car engine oil falls under the 229 series. You can read more on our topic page ATF for automatic transmissions.
Which viscosity does an MB 229.52 oil have?
The sheet is not tied to a single viscosity. In the Elat range, MB 229.52 is available as a 5W-30, as a 0W-30 in 0W30 Zero Tec VW and as a 5W-40 in 5W40 High Tec Quantum. The viscosity your engine needs is given in the owner’s manual.
Related topics
Ask about engine oil to Mercedes sheet 229
Send us the details from the owner’s manual – sheet, viscosity and engine. We will tell you which Elat oil fits and whether it lists the standard as an approval or as a specification.
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