Another oil debate. Great.
Lets just say first of all, actually changing the oil regularly (3,000 to 7,000 mile intervals) will help lots more than buying expensive oil. Although I do both.

 

Another oil debate. Great.

Yeah, sorry. I'm one of those forum users who tends to ask first and then realize something has been discussed into the ground already.. I'm not looking to start any sort of debate, I was mainly wondering if my concerns about detergents in "high-mileage" oil were unfounded. I've decided to return that stuff though, and get some Castrol Edge (it's on sale). And my plan is to change every 7500 miles, as recommended by Volvo. I don't buy the frequent oil change thing, too many people change it every 3K for no good reason other than supporting the oil industry. Once a year should be fine for this car, or 7500 miles, whichever comes first.

 

Most Castrol sold in North America is blended crap.

One of the rare exceptions being Castrol Syntec 0w30. It's a full synthetic and you'll notice it says "Made in Germany" on the back of the bottle instead of "Blended in USA". People often refer to it as "German Castrol".

It's also on sale at Canadian tire right now for $7.50 instead of the regular $12/Litre. I went out and grabbed 24 bottles myself. Instead of being $302 it was $189. It is a very good oil for cold Canadian weather. Nice and light on startup, but actually just about as viscous as Mobil 1 0w40, another of the best oils available out there. Very good hot protection.

 

It's also on sale at Canadian tire right now for $7.50 instead of the regular $12/Litre. I went out and grabbed 24 bottles myself.

I ended up buying 12 bottles of the German Castrol at CT. Spent $100, saved $50. Can't complain about that. I cleaned one store completely out, lol. Should've seen the parts counter kid's face when I asked if I could buy a case.

0w30 seems like the best choice for Ottawa's climate, which is more extreme than most people would think. It regularly goes down to -35C in the winter, and +35C in the summer.

 

Mobil 1 full syn 5w-30 and 0w-30 in hot summer has always been my favorites. I do like to promote the valvoline recycled stuff because its in a green bottle and that's my favorite color. Its by no means environmentally friendly tho.

 

Eh, I was tired I suppose. It is good to try to do the best by your car. I use Mobil 1. And a shorter change sched.

 

Mobil 1. 5w30 for cold months and 10 for warmer months.

 

i used to use Castrol Edge Titanium 5w-30 full synthetic because volvo reccomends castrol, But i made the switch to Mobil 1 extended performance 5w-30 full synthetic and to be honest.. i love it compaired to the castrol.

 

Ha I love these threads on oil! I have to say, I rather enjoy the Castrol Edge 5W-30 used every 5k. I tried Mobil one in my Audi and it ate it like a mother...

 

I have used Mobil one synthetic since i got my car 5 years ago, and it used to consume around 1/2 a quart every 8ish k miles. Last oil change i switched to Castrol titanium synthetic and right now im at around 7.8k miles and its still at the same mark where I filled it up.

Btw where I live Walmart has best oil prices

 

That's where I get my Mobil 1!


Sent from my iPhone4S using Tapatalk while on the toilet.

 

I am noticing that this car does use about a quart between oil changes... I may try the Euro Castrol.

 

I have to say I'm very surprised that your guys cars are eating 1/2-1qt of oil between changes! .... I have 53k and every oil change is still right on the money of where I filled it.. even when I used Castrol it didn't eat a thing...

 

Yeah it increased slightly over years, and now at 145k miles it consumed 1/2 quart of Mobil1 synthetic and now after i switched to Castrol titanium it hasnt consumed any which is weird

 

Mine doesn't eat any oil, and I WOT a few times every time I drive the car... Been running Amsoil for the last 2000 kilometers (~1200miles) and I can say that there is a noticeable difference in smoothness of power delivery, well beyond a simple placebo effect. Plus the engine sounds a little nicer also. It's expensive, but I think it's the only oil I'll put in from now on... probably at 8000km intervals

 

Specificity? Importance of oil is undeniable. I just purchased a S80 2005 drove it back 9.5 hours new York to Michigan, after the first 3 hours of driving the car fell on its face and died, started right back up, first thought was fuel drove great for 10 min, this happened about 60 more times between Pennsylvania and Michigan on average every 20 miles. So fuel filter. So once I got it home bought one, replaced it. And oh boy was it filthy as ****. Well since I continually ran ****ty gas through my engine for 9.5 hours and might I add still was a great ride and performed great other than the reoccurring clogging filter. So I intend to take it easy on her for a bit to make sure I work out all the ****, I ran some gas treatment through it already, now oil change and I know these Volvos love syn, I use euro Castrol in my 850 as what had been when purchased. But that is turning into more of a tuned sleeper 💰💰(after I finish the 5 speed swap) the S80 is a daily it will not be savagely beat on. So was curious after reading your comment about amsoil. Please indulge my curiosity as I might make the change. Thank you

 

Using German Castrol here.... works beautifully in the T5. In the Subaru I run Rotella T6 5W-40, which is great for tuned/hard driven cars that see higher oil temps. It doesn't have an oil cooler so the extra protection is nice. Oil temps are showing lower compared to when I was running 5-30 in it.

Both cars see 5k mile change intervals on even 5k mile marks (IE, my next change in the V50 will be at 70k, then 75k...). Makes the math easy. I used to sample every fill and have it analyzed, but now at the ripe age of 21 I feel that I am too old and lazy to do that anymore. 5k should do'er just fine.

 

Anyone using Royal Purple?

 

I've got the RP HPS 5w30, but haven't put it in yet. Im pretty curious to see how it runs with it.

 

I used it on my Sentra SE-R SpecV that I had prior to the V50 and autocrossed. It dropped my mpg by 2 or so, and was pretty thick in the cold. I like Castrol Edge better really. Preferably German Castrol.

 

German Castrol 0w30

 

I don't want to start a "which oil is best" argument/discussion lol...but I was finally able to get some of that Royal Purple HPS 5w30 into my car and my car has never run better or smoother and sounded better. I didn't feel any extra power, but power came on way more responsively. Instead, it was noticeably smoother and sounded better from idle to redline. The car just feels like it isn't struggling to make the power.

I also did Tranny with Redline MTL, angle gear with RP, new serpentine belts, and a Haldex filter. The combination of everything done could explain the extra smoothness in driving, but the car sounded so much more refined through the powerband. RPMs dropped and rose faster and more precisely. I could actually rev-match a downshift without the car feeling clumsy. I'd definitely recommend the RP HPS 5w30 to anyone. So far I've had Pennzoil, Valvoline, and Castrol Edge (not the German one) in there previously, and the RP (so far) has been the best in my T5! I suspect that this is how the car drove when it was new. Wouldn't know, bought it used. Rock on, RP!

 

I don't want to start a "which oil is best" argument/discussion lol...but I was finally able to get some of that Royal Purple HPS 5w30 into my car and my car has never run better or smoother and sounded better. I didn't feel any extra power, but power came on way more responsively. Instead, it was noticeably smoother and sounded better from idle to redline. The car just feels like it isn't struggling to make the power.

I also did Tranny with Redline MTL, angle gear with RP, new serpentine belts, and a Haldex filter. The combination of everything done could explain the extra smoothness in driving, but the car sounded so much more refined through the powerband. RPMs dropped and rose faster and more precisely. I could actually rev-match a downshift without the car feeling clumsy. I'd definitely recommend the RP HPS 5w30 to anyone. So far I've had Pennzoil, Valvoline, and Castrol Edge (not the German one) in there previously, and the RP (so far) has been the best in my T5! I suspect that this is how the car drove when it was new. Wouldn't know, bought it used. Rock on, RP!

Please review again after you clock 3k on the new oil.

 

Just an update, I put German Castrol 0w30 in my T5 last weekend. Damn! She's smooth, she's powerful, she's happy. Also, she uses 0.7L/100km less fuel. That's a win.

 

Nice! Gonna watch my MPG to see if anything has changed.

 

One Question, Can I use the GC 0W30 in High milage engine and I live in NY.

 

Personally, I don't see why not. What exactly do you mean by "high mileage" though? I have heard of people switching to thicker oil on higher-mileage engines, with great results.

From my research 0w30 is fine for both extreme hot and cold weather, we get both where I am (Ottawa, Ontario).

 

I got a Tick Better with the Higher Flowing Amsoil MTL which is Similar to Red-Line MTL the Transmission .

0W-30W will likely do better in Cooler Climates No Doubt !

I use the Marvel in Fuel does same thing as 0w, but 5W-30W with a Tune is about as thin as I personally want to go .
10W-30 or 10W-40 with an Oil Booster in the Hot Heat _ is My 2 cents : Lucas Syn Booster - that
way I able to Go - 5000 miles easily between changes 6k or 7K If I have to .

 

So I will get the 0W30 If I can find it now because they not doing the Green GC anymore...

 

They just re-branded it. The synthetic Castrol 0w30 is still the made in Germany stuff.

 

Yes, it will do both - but that doesn't mean it will go 7,500 miles or Hold up to Tune Powered Motor for a long Period .

Shorter Oil changes , OK

 

So should I use the 0W30 Instead of a "High Mileage" Synth?

 

From my limited knowledge, I would say go with either 5x30 or 0w30. The manual for your car has a chart showing which oils work in which temperature ranges (here's one for mine: http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/2006/2006_S40/06s40_12a.htm#pg178), so check that.

YMMV (I've never used that in such a literal context!)

 

I wouldn't want to "test" oil... I want to use the correct oil specified by the manufacturer!!
LOL

 

I AM using one of the correct oils specified by the manufacturer. Check your manual - it doesn't specify which weight to use, it shows a chart. Lots of people use 0w30 oil in the T5 engine.

 

In hot weather a heavier weight oil is recommended. Especially, maybe not by Volvo, but generally, in a turbo engine.

 

I use 5 1/2 qt. AMSoil 5w-30 and 0.6qts of Lucas Syn Booster.