Both are brand new oil. What is the difference between these two oils but the one on the right is Made in Germany and the one on the left is Made in USA.
Why is the one Made in USA darker?

That’s really interesting. Real test would be to send them in for analysis.

 

Just get Liqui Moly Special Tec V, SAE 0W-20 made specifically for Volvos. Note the "V". Special Tec V SAE 0W-20

 

Both are Volvo approved, right?

 

The bigger question to me is, where in the world did you find this oil?
I have been searching for it for ages.

 

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Volvo XC90 B6 Ultimate Sport Utility 2.0L L4 Engine Oil - Castrol Edge V - 0W-20 Synthetic (1 Quart)

 

I think the sale of this oil is essentially gray market. I think only dealers of various brands can purchase this from the manufacturer. Any channels we see, I believe are a resale of these. There are retail EDGE products that can be bought easily. The standards question has never been addressed by VOLVO I.e, is the new Volvo standard applicable to the same engine from earlier years.

 

Of course the German bottle looks like you can pour out of it without making a mess!

 

It is possible that the oil used in Europe is of a different quality than in the USA. I have noticed that in the USA, there is a lot of talk about oil changes that are quite frequent. In Europe, the replacement interval is 30,000 kilometers (or almost 17,000 miles), unless the car indicates that it should be done sooner. However, I have never experienced this. Additionally, my V60 has no oil consumption; the level remains the same after 30,000 kilometers as when the new oil was added.

 

One is probably natural gas based (euro) and one is crude (us)

 

One is probably natural gas based (euro) and one is cruse (us)

i have seen some references to this but don't know if its changed. its kind of like different ways to define wine varietal definitions. anyway to determine this. from what i can see with specs are the numbers are pretty close. the color difference posted above is interesting but i don't think dark necessarily means derived from oil. anyone looked at a darker oil manufactured by one of Euro brands?

 

there is this option as well:

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/home/products/our-brands/automotive/castrol-edge-oils/castrol-edge-euro.html#tab_0W-20%20V

both standards in question are covered.

 

 

American "fully synthetic" is typically an API group III oil, meaning it's actually not fully synthetic.

German "Fully Synthetic" atleast used to be a true fully synthetic Group IV PAO oil. I think this is still the case with Castrol.

 

The difference i believe is due to legislation. In Japan group III oils are not allowed to be marketed as "Fully Synthetic" and I believe its something simmilar in Germany, but need to verify.

Regardless... whatever classifications the oil meets, a "true" fully synthetic oil is superior to these fake "fully synthetic" oils.

 

Why is it superior?

 

And to add to that for anyone wondering. AFAIK Volvo service dealers use Group III oils when servicing l, so not fully synthetic regardless if they label it as fully synthetic or not.

 

bottom line, get the made in europe oil if possible but the made in usa is probably ok

 

if the dealers are using the made in usa oli, its not a given that its group 3 but seems like a distinct possibility.

 

German Castrol (GC) is discussed ad nauseam on BITOG.
And yes, both will meet the specs of Volvo, but the GC version is superior.

I'd consider it comparable to some of Amsoil's top offerings.

 

If oil analysis has any weight, want to guess which one was Amsoil? Here’s a hint: it’s different than all the rest.

 

What is BITOG?

 

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/

 

January 2021?

 

Yep. Unless I’m not reading it right, the glaring differences are:
Fuel dilution
Flash point
Viscosity
TBN

I’m not exactly certain these numbers should be better with “better oil.” But these numbers have always been better with Castrol. And I’ve done 15 of them with Castrol 🤷‍♂️.

Also, Amsoil is formulated in Wisconsin. If German oil is far superior, is Amsoil really anything special?

 

Yep. Unless I’m not reading it right, the glaring differences are:
Fuel dilution
Flash point
Viscosity
TBN

I’m not exactly certain these numbers should be better with “better oil.” But these numbers have always been better with Castrol. And I’ve done 15 of them with Castrol 🤷‍♂️.

Also, Amsoil is formulated in Wisconsin. If German oil is far superior, is Amsoil really anything special?

January 2021 has a LOWER flash point. A better oil will have a higher flash point. Less volatile

 

First 6years of new car in 2006 I used Castrol 0w30 than all PCV was clodgged in 86000 km.
Changed all parts and start using Mobil oil. After years I chek pcv and inside no deposits as before with Castrol oils. I'm in Europe and as car last 11 years use only Mobil 5w50 as I have now almost 400.000 km trust me no deposits at all like first 6 years.
After first 100k km I start using Mobil 3w30 than slightly moved to 5w50 when chip tuning was done...
Last year changed Oem catalysator on 370k km that it's very good for 16y. Of high speed high revs crazy driving that you can't even dream in US
Try Mobil and forget crap EU Castrol many fake bottles from China, Romania and Ukraina counterfeit catched bastards selling in Europe and east countries.

 

Do you know if other people on various volvo forums have had this same problem with Castrol?

 

Yes I was on many forums in Europe, Hong Kong and here I'm 16 years member.
Problems with deposits on friends Volvos especially in Italy where we regularly participate meetings from 2015 ahead shows huge deposits inside especially tractor diesels as I call this engines hahaa

Seriously if you check caracteristics for Volvo engines and dummy 30.000 km to change come on??? I change every 10k max.was happened 12000 km on petrol 2.5t engine and diesel wait tooooo long...
Same happened last 15 years when Lolvo say No need to change Atf oil life time...than US where protection is high made few court cases and lemon Lolvo corporation changed idea...

From first oil change Volvo service didn't want to change me oil in engine with Mobil saying guaranty bal bla...
Same with trans.

Than I start changing and trust me I really drive too fast last 17 y. And 2.5t engine is done for. Diesel tractors is to slow motion pulling some trailers on long distances some horses camping pigs ect...
Castrol oil I can post you photos of PCV and Pipes and Turbine blowing with Castrol 0w30 that VCC raccomend it. But for low pressure turbo and engine this is not good oil to cool properly Turbine in high revs and high temperatures that was.

Later will post photos before and after.
Castrol 3w30 vs. Mobil 5W50 is incomplete oil for Turbine. I'm not expert mechanic or oil ect but practical experience I have is this:

After Turbine blow away and on Highway this day no more mosquitoes was on TV news
My mechanic the best in Slovenia Bauman near town Maribor ordered
EXCHANGE VOLVO PARTS that at first I was against gipsy recycled refurbished old not mine parts but now I made over 200.000 km with this new Turbine and of course Mobil 5W50 that properly cooling high temperature on bearings when I pushing 235 km/h on German highway hahaha max speed.
Average in Slovenia Croatia Serbia is 160km/h limit is 130. Once a 5 year pay fine but enjoy.

Sorry for long post but there is the better oils than crap Castrol.

 

Europe volvo must have different standards than USA volvo.

I think they are making a mistake by employing the high mileage oil changes to the older 2.5T engines.

I thought they only used those for the newer engines.

In the owners manual volvo recommends 5w30 for normal operation and best protection with 7500 mile (12km) OCI for P2 2.5T engines. Was this OCI resulting in sludge/deposits?

Would your driving habits cause the issues and not necessarily the oil?

Owners manual also says to chabge trans fluid every 52.5k miles under severe driving conditions.

 

I went with the Pennzoil Platinum as the manual says any oil that has the ACEA A5/B5 can be used. I used 5w-30 and Pennzoil actually lists it on the website now for Volvo.

 

Most oils fulfill the ACEA A5/B5 rating but it's not enough. It's API SN or SN plus you need to look for.

 

I drive 17 years my car allways the same. With Castrol 6 years and after 11 years that I don't have any similar deposits as before.
My own experience and my Volvo mechanic who left them and open private told me yes Castrol is bad for Volvo engines. Don't know new cars.

Anyway Volvo decades forbidden to change ATF oil on transmissions saying " life time oil" but many trans fail thousands of them...

Castrol is cracked crap oil vs. Mobil and just read caracteristics on high temperature vs.Mobil anyone can see difference.

Anyway I don't use it anymore and of course there is also Chinese Russian Latvian copys of Mobil oils on market.
But purchasing on authorised dealer is best.

 

Trans oil I change every 30-40k km last 15 years. Only 1 used Volvo 3ple price than Mobil 3309.

Castrol 1 liter 3W30 in cat shops in Europe was 9-12 Euro in Volvo stealer services 1 liter in Slovenia Volvo service in capital town Ljubljana Interclass they put price 27.80 euro. Robbery.
Not going anymore there. Once and never again.
Keep tight with my servicer 15 years.

Bear in mind that next month I'm reaching 400.000 km with my car but maintenance and preventive changing parts is high. No saving no stingy not asked 1 time service mechanic how much will cost repair...as once you have good fair honest servicer don't change.

He have S60 R tuning also never used Castrol he say: it's like putting water in good vine to drink.

 

Yes, but only the regular Platinum states Volvo, I'll stick with that.

 

Where?

 

Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic Motor Oil | Pennzoil®

Our premium full synthetic engine oil keeps pistons cleaner than the industry standard. Available in a wide range of viscosities, buy 0W16, 0W20, 0W30 or 10W30.

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Under specifications

 

What model and year is your volvo?

 

I'd rather not derail this thread, but I got it, thanks.

 

looks like nothing from them fits your vehicle