[Facusan]

I'm pretty sure where you are, temps above 86F are not uncommon.......

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

I'm pretty sure where you are, temps above 86F are not uncommon.......

Oh wow! The chart in my manual does NOT look like that. It only shows 0W30 and 5W30 and shows both being equally good on the high side. Alrighty, then. Guess I need to switch.

 

[V50_M66]

Oh wow! The chart in my manual does NOT look like that. It only shows 0W30 and 5W30 and shows both being equally good on the high side. Alrighty, then. Guess I need to switch.

The one on my 05 V50 is yet another variation, showing only 5W-30 and 10W-30:

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

Ok. Just double checked. Wasn't my imagination. Lol...

 

[Facusan]

ok, give me 5 mins and I'll get a picture of the manual of mine......

 

[Facusan]

 

[V50_M66]

So what should we run? Obviously 5W-30 is safe if you are in a moderate climate, but what about those of us that drive our cars hard? Three different manuals, 3 different tables, suggesting anywhere from 0-30 to 10-30 to 5-40.

 

[Facusan]

So what should we run? Obviously 5W-30 is safe if you are in a moderate climate, but what about those of us that drive our cars hard? Three different manuals, 3 different suggestions.

I'll stick with 5W-40. @CASwede's comment it's true. Manufacturers are pushing for thinner oils for emission purposes. They don't care about engine wear as long it makes it past their warranty period. I bought my car used, and I fixed the engine. I think that makes me the warranty.

 

[V50_M66]

I'll stick with 5W-40. @CASwede's comment it's true. Manufacturers are pushing for thinner oils for emission purposes. They don't care about engine wear as long it makes it past their warranty period. I bought my car used, and I fixed the engine. I think that makes me the warranty.

Agreed, and same here. Judging by your chart, 0W-40 is what I should be running in mine. Currently running 5W-30. Assuming it's safe to change over even though the chart in my manual doesn't include that?

 

[Facusan]

Agreed, and same here. Judging by your chart, 0W-40 is what I should be running in mine. Currently running 5W-30. Assuming it's safe to change over even though the chart in my manual doesn't include that?

We have the exact same engine model, B5254T3. I don't see why you shouldn't switch to 5W-40. It's weird the V50 online manual doesn't say that. Have you checked in the physical manual?

 

[V50_M66]

We have the exact same engine model, B5254T3. I don't see why you shouldn't switch to 5W-40. It's weird the V50 online manual doesn't say that. Have you checked in the physical manual?

Ah ok - thought the C70s were all B5254T7 cars. My car didn't come with a manual unfortunately. Came with a manual pouch and all the supporting documents but no manual. That's a screenshot the online one off the Owner's tab of Volvo's website under 2005 V50. I'd rather go to 0W-40 over 5W-40 as that's what my sister's Saab takes so I can just buy it in bulk, and it gets cold where I live. According to your chart that should be good.
Interesting that my manual says 5W-30 is good up to 104 ambient, but yours says it's only good to 86.

 

[Facusan]

Ah ok - thought the C70s were all B5254T7 cars. My car didn't come with a manual unfortunately. Came with a manual pouch and all the supporting documents but no manual. That's a screenshot the online one off the Owner's tab of Volvo's website under 2005 V50. I'd rather go to 0W-40 over 5W-40 as that's what my sister's Saab takes so I can just buy it in bulk, and it gets cold where I live. According to your chart that should be good.
Interesting that my manual says 5W-30 is good up to 104 ambient, but yours says it's only good to 86.

No, 2007 was the last year of the T3 engines. 2008 and newer are all T7's. If it gets cold in your area, 0W-40 makes sense and even more if you get it in bulk.

No idea why they use different temperature ranges for the same oil. Yes, the specification may be different, but that should be because of the additive package they have. I doubt it will affect the temperature working range of the oil.

 

[CASwede]

I'll stick with 5W-40. @CASwede's comment it's true. Manufacturers are pushing for thinner oils for emission purposes. They don't care about engine wear as long it makes it past their warranty period. I bought my car used, and I fixed the engine. I think that makes me the warranty.

.
The Volvo lawyers have covered themselves. I checked the 2008 and 09 C30 Oil Specs. The owner is responsible for using premium or synthetic oils in the correct viscosity for better mileage, hot and cold weather and extreme engine operation, as in lead foot (Tail of the Dragon) in prolonged driving in mountainous areas.

Volvo Cars US Owners Manual 2009 C30

volvo.custhelp.com

.

.

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

Ohhhhh boy. This new rabbit trail has me making some BIG realizations. The owners manual for a 2009 C30 T5 calls for 5.8 liters of oil. HOWEVER, the manual for my 2013 S60 T5 says the B5254T12 (which NOW we know I have) calls for 7.2 liters. Last owner evidently took it to those Take 5 quick lube places. There is NO doubt in my mind that every place who ever changed the oil (even the dealer wouldn't be immune to this mistake), went with what was recommended for a 2009 C30, right? I mean, why WOULD anybody? Even I had zero clue this was a T12 until I ripped everything apart. So probably for years, this thing's been running about a liter and a half low on oil, which even if that won't trigger any low oil pressure lights, it WOULD reduce overall oil cooling capacity. Couple that with not using the correct recommendation to run a 0/5w40 oil at high temps, PLUS having an intercooler not up to the task for a T12 motor in extreme heat, so when this summer hit with day after day of 110-120 heat, I was pretty much screwed. Car's been losing coolant since the day I bought it, so the damage was already done for sure, but this wicked summer 100% was the final nail in the coffin.

Low oil + WRONG oil = certain death. Thank goodness the block's intact. SO many lessons to learn from my Frankencar.

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

I'll stick with 5W-40. @CASwede's comment it's true. Manufacturers are pushing for thinner oils for emission purposes. They don't care about engine wear as long it makes it past their warranty period.

That's wild. Bet you're right!!! Gotta love how the chart maxes out at 104, as if that's as high as people deal with. Silly Swedes forgot about those of us down South. It's crazy the chart doesn't include another line for beyond 104. Instead they chose to put it in the fine print. Local dealer only uses Castrol Edge 5W30, so I thought I was ok with that. Lesson learned. That said, I should be ok with that viscosity now that Fall's here, BUT I'm definitely going to switch over to 5W40 before next summer. Thanks for the education, Facusan!

I bought my car used, and I fixed the engine. I think that makes me the warranty.

Haha. Well put. Same here!

 

[Facusan]

Ohhhhh boy. This new rabbit trail has me making some BIG realizations. The owners manual for a 2009 C30 T5 calls for 5.8 liters of oil. HOWEVER, the manual for my 2013 S60 T5 says the B5254T12 (which NOW we know I have) calls for 7.2 liters. Last owner evidently took it to those Take 5 quick lube places. There is NO doubt in my mind that every place who ever changed the oil (even the dealer wouldn't be immune to this mistake), went with what was recommended for a 2009 C30, right? I mean, why WOULD anybody? Even I had zero clue this was a T12 until I ripped everything apart. So probably for years, this thing's been running about a liter and a half low on oil, which even if that won't trigger any low oil pressure lights, it WOULD reduce overall oil cooling capacity. Couple that with not using the correct recommendation to run a 0/5w40 oil at high temps, PLUS having an intercooler not up to the task for a T12 motor in extreme heat, so when this summer hit with day after day of 110-120 heat, I was pretty much screwed. Car's been losing coolant since the day I bought it, so the damage was already done for sure, but this wicked summer 100% was the final nail in the coffin.

Low oil + WRONG oil = certain death. Thank goodness the block's intact. SO many lessons to learn from my Frankencar.

Find the P/N of your oil pan. Then look up in VIDA if it’s the same for T7 and T12. Same with the dipstick. To know which parts you have and which quantity of oil you should put.

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

Find the P/N of your oil pan. Then look up in VIDA if it’s the same for T7 and T12. Same with the dipstick. To know which parts you have and which quantity of oil you should put.

Good idea. I better double check that. Last night I DID look up the dipstick. Volvo parts online for a '13 S60 says it's part # 31330383. Dipstick in my car is 30777500. Looked it up, and Volvo said it's compatible with everything from early P1s to late model S60s. Tough to say for sure. What I DO remember is last time I changed my oil, I started with the "recommended" 5.8 liters and it was clearly still low on the dipstick, so I added about another liter before hitting the middle of the mark. So I think the dipstick setup is correct for this motor. Most likely came with the new engine, BUT I will still look at my oil pan to be on the safe side. A new stick and tube are cheap enough at dealer, so I might just go ahead and swap out since I was going to swap out the seal anyway as part of this whole job. Will verify what I have first either way.

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

Find the P/N of your oil pan. Then look up in VIDA if it’s the same for T7 and T12. Same with the dipstick. To know which parts you have and which quantity of oil you should put.

Can't seem to find the part number on the pan anywhere, but looked at Vida info for both and looked up pics of them and I'm 99% sure I have the one from the T12. Starting to think that I should be doing an oil cooler upgrade as well. That is AFTER I get the darn thing running to begin with. You ever used one of these?

Volvo Engine Oil Cooler - Mahle Behr 376747141

Volvo Engine Oil Cooler - Mahle Behr 376747141

www.fcpeuro.com

Engine Oil Cooler Upgrade, Volvo S40/V50, C30/C70

ViVA Performance specializes in performance and maintenance car parts and accessories for Volvo, Polestar, and Saab models.

www.vivaperformance.com

 

[davidw]

the manual for my 2007 v50 T5 recommends 5w-30. I have been using Royal Purple HPS and the car seems to like it. The big Airtec intercooler and upgraded oil cooler Im sure also help. Based on the discussion here, I may switch to 5W-40.

 

[SwedishDoomGoblin]

the manual for my 2007 v50 T5 recommends 5w-30. I have been using Royal Purple HPS and the car seems to like it. The big Airtec intercooler and upgraded oil cooler Im sure also help. Based on the discussion here, I may switch to 5W-40.

What oil cooler did you go with?