Does anybody where to look to find out what oil Mercedes recommends for my car?

l have a 1997 C230 Mercedes, and wanna change the oil myself.l looked in the manual to see what kind to use, and the manual said to consult the dealership for preferred brands/types/weights.l would call the dealer, but the service dept is closed on the weekend.It never freezes where l live, so cold weather is not an issue (Southern California).
My car was built before Mercedes switched to using synthetic oils.

I am unsure if it is okay to use a synthetic oil in a car that was designed to run on conventional oil.

l read somewhere that cars designed to use conventional oils are more likely to leak if a synthetic is substituted because the seals are not as good.Is this total BS?

I am thinking I will put off the oil change for a few days.

any parts store could and will help you and any brand will be fine 5/30 or 10/30 and a brand of your choice will be fine

Well l believe ALL MB is now use synthetic. l would go with Mobil 1 and a 5w40.
But as the book says, call the dealer or go on line to MBUSA
and see what they say

Are we to understand that u have never changed the oil in ur car? If this is the fact, then realize that ur oil filter is not widely available at ''run of the mill'' parts stores. l do know that NAPA carries a filter for them & sometimes CarQuest. Make sure the oil filter kit includes new seals for the canister & oil plug crush washers.
Also, since Mercedes uses a canister filter & NOT a ''spin-on'' type, be sure u have a 32mm socket available to remove the filter housing cap. Without it, you're stuck!

Now for the oil that u should use. Obviously a high quality oil should be used, but certainly NOT synthetic! It will leak past all of ur seals & bugger up ur garage/driveway. Stick with the conventional stuff & change it often (3k-5k miles).
10w-30 or 10w-40 is perfect for where u live. I've used Castrol & Mobil in my Mercedes for years without any sludge issues.
I've found that going to Wal-mart & buying the gallon jugs of it to be most economical.
If u really want to spend some $$$, check & see if ur local parts supplier carries ELF brand oil. l use it when l can get it. Even though it cost more money, the car seems to like it.

For inexpensive OEM parts & oil for ur car, try looking up these folks in AZ: http://autohausaz.com
l use them all the time for my filters (they also carry the ELF oil!).
Get only Mahle or Mann filters for ur car (OEM) & ur car will run forever!

Hope this info helps u save some $$$ & service ur car to its high standards.

Dealer recommends 5/30 and it holds 6 quarts

( IF IT HAS 100 THOUSAND MILES USE 10/30 BRAND CAST ROL OR VALVOLINE)

use moblie 10/w40 -5w is to thin for that kind of miles its not the cold factor about the weight of the oil its the milage.