Old Name
MB 228.51 was the former Mercedes-Benz operating-fluid sheet designation.
MB 228.51 | DTFR 15C110 Engine Oil Specification
MB 228.51 is the former Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty diesel engine-oil specification now identified by Daimler Truck as DTFR 15C110. It is a low-SAPS multigrade specification for commercial diesel engines and requires an HTHS viscosity of at least 3.5 cP. MB 228.51 is not an API FA-4 specification.
MB 228.51
Former specification name
DTFR 15C110
Current Daimler Truck designation
Low-SAPS
Designed for aftertreatment-equipped diesels
HTHS ≥ 3.5
Not a low-HTHS FA-4 specification
Technical review: September 6, 2026
!
MB 228.51 Is Not FA-4
Do not choose an oil simply because it is 5W-30 or carries API FA-4. DTFR 15C110 / MB 228.51 requires HTHS viscosity of at least 3.5 cP. The required Mercedes-Benz Truck specification must be verified independently of the SAE viscosity or API category.
Quick Answer
What Is MB 228.51?
MB 228.51 is a Mercedes-Benz commercial-vehicle engine-oil specification for low-SAPS multigrade diesel oils. Following Daimler Truck's transition from the former Mercedes-Benz operating-fluid sheet numbers to DTFR specifications, MB 228.51 became DTFR 15C110.
| Requirement | MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110 |
|---|---|
| Current designation | DTFR 15C110 |
| Former designation | MB 228.51 |
| Oil type | Low-SAPS multigrade heavy-duty diesel engine oil |
| HTHS viscosity | Minimum 3.5 cP at 150°C |
| Typical viscosity grades | 5W-30, 10W-30 and 10W-40; verify the approved product and application |
| API FA-4? | No. FA-4 should not be treated as equivalent to MB 228.51. |
| Aftertreatment | Designed for heavy-duty diesels using modern exhaust-aftertreatment systems |
Specification Rename
MB 228.51 Is Now DTFR 15C110
Daimler Truck introduced its DTFR — Daimler Truck Fluid Release — specification system following the separation of Daimler Truck AG and Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The technical lineage is now identified using the DTFR number.
Current Name
Daimler Truck's current mapping identifies MB 228.51 as DTFR 15C110.
What to Look For
Current Mercedes-Benz Trucks operating-fluid information and approved-product lists use the DTFR 15C110 designation.
Search both names.
Older manuals and product literature may still say MB 228.51, while current
Daimler Truck documentation uses DTFR 15C110.
Viscosity
Mercedes-Benz Genuine Oil
Mercedes-Benz Genuine Oil
What Viscosity Is MB 228.51 Oil?
MB 228.51 is a performance specification, not a single SAE viscosity. Mercedes-Benz Trucks currently lists DTFR 15C110 products including 10W-40 and a 5W-30 LT formulation, while DTFR 15C110 oils can also appear in other permitted multigrade viscosities.
SAE 10W-40
Mercedes-Benz Trucks currently lists Genuine Engine Oil SAE 10W-40 under DTFR 15C110.
- Heavy-duty multigrade viscosity
- DTFR 15C110 specification
- HTHS remains at or above the specification minimum
SAE 5W-30 LT
Mercedes-Benz Trucks also currently lists a Genuine Engine Oil SAE 5W-30 DTFR 15C110 LT product.
- 5W-30 does not automatically mean FA-4
- Specification remains DTFR 15C110
- Application and viscosity must both be verified
Viscosity is not the specification.
A random 5W-30, 10W-40 or 15W-40 does not become suitable simply because the
viscosity matches. Check the required DTFR/MB specification.
Specification Comparison
MB 228.51 vs API FA-4
MB 228.51 and API FA-4 are different specifications created by different organizations for different requirements. They should never be used as synonyms.
| Characteristic | MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110 | API FA-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Specification owner | Daimler Truck / Mercedes-Benz Trucks | American Petroleum Institute |
| HTHS range | At least 3.5 cP | Lower HTHS category |
| Interchangeable? | No. Verify the OEM specification independently. | |
| Can both be 5W-30? | Yes. That is exactly why selecting oil by viscosity alone is unsafe. | |
Applications
What Engines Use MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110?
DTFR 15C110 is used in Mercedes-Benz commercial-vehicle diesel applications where the vehicle or engine documentation specifies it. It is associated with modern aftertreatment-equipped Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty engines, including appropriate OM-series applications.
OM471
Some Mercedes-Benz OM471 generations and applications use DTFR 15C110, but OM471 requirements changed over time.
Other OM Engines
Other Mercedes-Benz commercial diesel engines may also specify DTFR 15C110. Always verify against the vehicle or engine documentation.
North American Detroit Engines
Do not automatically substitute MB 228.51 because a Detroit DD engine shares Daimler engineering history. Use the Detroit specification required for the North American engine application.
Current application source:
Mercedes-Benz Trucks directs users to DTFR 15A100 and the vehicle owner's manual
to determine which operating-fluid specification applies to a particular engine.
Mercedes OM471
DTFR 15C110
Newer OM471 Applications
Does the OM471 Require MB 228.51?
Some OM471 applications use MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110, but not every OM471 does. Later OM471 generations can call for different Daimler Truck specifications, including DTFR 15C130 and DTFR 15C140.
Former MB 228.51
Higher-HTHS low-SAPS specification used in applicable Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty diesel applications.
Other DTFR Specifications
Newer OM471 variants may require DTFR 15C130 or DTFR 15C140. Do not assume DTFR 15C110 solely from the OM471 engine designation.
See the full Mercedes OM471 engine oil guide for generation-specific viscosity, capacity and specification guidance.
AMSOIL Product Decision
MB 228.51 Listed by AMSOIL
AMSOIL Oil for MB 228.51
Current AMSOIL G3467 technical literature lists MB 228.51 for Signature Series Max-Duty 5W-30 DHD. The same current bulletin does not list MB 228.51 for 15W-40 DME.
AMSOIL Signature Series Max-Duty 5W-30
DHD · SAE 5W-30 · 100% Synthetic Diesel Oil
AMSOIL's current Max-Duty technical bulletin lists MB 228.51 among the specifications for DHD 5W-30.
- MB 228.51 listed in current AMSOIL technical literature
- API CK-4 diesel-oil performance
- Low-SAPS heavy-duty formulation
- Use only where 5W-30 and MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110 are appropriate
Do not use the old DME claim.
Current AMSOIL G3467 lists MB 228.31 for 15W-40 DME, not MB 228.51.
The product recommendation must match the exact viscosity/product row in the bulletin.
Low-SAPS
Why MB 228.51 Uses Low-SAPS Oil
SAPS refers to sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulfur. Controlling these components helps protect exhaust-aftertreatment equipment while the lubricant still has to provide the wear, deposit and oxidation protection required in heavy-duty diesel service.
DPF Protection
Non-combustible ash from engine oil can accumulate in a diesel particulate filter. Low-SAPS formulations help control that contribution.
Heavy-Duty Protection
Low-SAPS does not mean low protection. DTFR 15C110 also imposes requirements for wear, cleanliness, oxidation stability and lubricant durability.
FAQ
MB 228.51 Questions
What is MB 228.51?
MB 228.51 is the former Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty diesel engine-oil specification now identified by Daimler Truck as DTFR 15C110. It defines requirements for low-SAPS multigrade engine oils used in applicable commercial diesel engines.
Is MB 228.51 the same as DTFR 15C110?
Yes. Daimler Truck's official DTFR conversion table maps the former MB 228.51 sheet to DTFR 15C110.
Is MB 228.51 an API FA-4 specification?
No. DTFR 15C110 requires HTHS viscosity of at least 3.5 cP and should not be described as an API FA-4 specification.
Is MB 228.51 always 5W-30?
No. MB 228.51 / DTFR 15C110 is a performance specification, not a viscosity. Mercedes-Benz Trucks currently lists both SAE 10W-40 and SAE 5W-30 Genuine Engine Oil products under DTFR 15C110.
Does every Mercedes OM471 require MB 228.51?
No. Some OM471 applications use DTFR 15C110, but later OM471 versions can require different specifications such as DTFR 15C130 or DTFR 15C140. Check the vehicle-specific requirement.
Does AMSOIL meet MB 228.51?
Current AMSOIL G3467 technical literature lists MB 228.51 for Signature Series Max-Duty 5W-30 DHD. The current bulletin does not list MB 228.51 for Signature Series 15W-40 DME.
Can I use MB 228.51 oil in a Detroit DD15?
Do not choose oil for a North American Detroit engine solely because the engine shares Daimler engineering heritage. Verify the Detroit Diesel specification required by that engine and application.
Continue Your Research
Related Mercedes-Benz Oil Specifications & Engine Guides
Technical basis reviewed September 2026 using Daimler Truck's official DTFR
specification mapping and Mercedes-Benz Trucks DTFR 15C110 operating-fluid
database, supported by current industry specification data and AMSOIL G3467
technical literature.