Mercedes-Benz MB229.31

MB229.31 oils are Top Tier lower SAPS¹ lubricants designed for use in high performance gasoline and light duty diesel engines where advanced aftertreatment systems such as Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) are used.

MB229.31 was Daimler’s first lower SAPS specification, originally introduced in 2004 for service fill usage in Euro 4 vehicles. Although the performance requirements have changed over time MB229.31 does not require the same level of fuel economy improvement, or contain any requirement for chassis dynamometer fuel economy testing, as seen in the higher performance MB229.51 specification.

MB229.31 oils are typically SAE 5W-40 or 5W-30 based on API Group III base oils.

The main physical and chemical requirements for MB229.31 are shown below:

Requirement	Method	Unit	Limit
HTHS viscosity at 150°C	CEC L-36-A-90	cP	≥ 3.5
Sulphated Ash	ASTM D874	%wt	≤ 0.8
Phosphorus	ASTM D5185	%wt	≥ 0.05 and ≤ 0.09
Sulfur	ASTM D5185	%wt	≤ 0.3
Evaporation loss (NOACK) at 250°C	CEC L-40-93	%	≤ 12
Total Base Number	ASTM D2896	mgKOH/g	≥ 6.0

Note 1: SAPS refers to Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulfur, the levels of which are often restricted in the latest performance specifications.

MB229.31 is usually claimed on lubricants which also meet MB229.51. The most frequently seen approvals claimed in conjunction with MB229.31 are therefore ACEA C3, BMW Longlife-04, Volkswagen 50400/50700 or Volkswagen 50500/50501, GM dexos2™, Porsche C30 or A40.

For more information on MB229.31 oils, contact your Lubrizol representative.