Recommended engine Oil?

[Island Cruiser]

2006 XC-70 new to me with 102,000 kms.

I think it is recommended that I should use Castrol Edge Professional full synthetic 0W-20 does that sound right?

Owner says he put in Mobil 1 full synthetic from day one but i did not hear what weight.

[vtl]

No 20 weight oil in this engine. Full synthetic W30 or W40 is fine. Mobil 1 is ok.

[hoonk]

Your owners manual should specify a recommendation of 5w30 or 10w30. Personally I would use a synthetic for fewer long terms problems. Volvo might suggest a 0w/ weight oil in colder climates like yours.

[Scopeman]

Mobil1 0W-40 European is popular with many here on the forum. I use it, and am please with the used oil analysis done in the past. Also, it is available from Walmart at low price.

[Astro14]

There is more to oil than weight.

Weight is like tire size - just one factor of many.

You really need an extended drain interval (European spec) oil. Synthetic is best.

[DanoT]

I take my 06 to a indy Volvo shop and they use Castrol full synthetic 5w 30. It burns about a a half litre between changes and I top up with Castrol high mileage semi synthetic 5w 30

[Astro14]

A few years ago, I started this thread: http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showth...Oil-Rant/page5

First post:

OK, lots of folks have problems that are related to oil. They manifest themselves with Flame trap plugging up, sludge building up, leaks and the like.

Not all oil is the same. There are different grades, manufacturing processes, additives and standards that oils meet. Because they are made of stock with more consistent molecular weight, synthetics flow better in cold weather, are more viscosity stable, less prone to sludge formation and less prone to boil-off than conventional oil. Tribology is a complex subject, and I am glossing over much of the detail here. Visit www.bobistheoilguy.com and read through the articles for more information.

The majority of the oil that is on the counters at gas stations and auto parts stores simply does NOT meet the requirements Volvo has set for this car.

Frankly, I wouldn't even trust the dealer on this subject. They have no responsibility to get your car past warranty...and most of us are well past warranty...so they can use the minimum spec oil, not the recommended, and still provide warranty coverage, despite the long-term consequences of that oil and the fact that your usage may require a better oil.

Here's what the manual says: The engine will be damaged if lower grade oil is used or if the car is driven with the oil level too low.

Yep...damaged...that's what Volvo says.

The manual goes on to say:
Adverse driving conditionsCheck the oil level more frequently for long
journeys:
• towing a caravan or trailer.
• in mountainous regions.
• at high speeds.
• in temperatures colder than -30 °C or
hotter than +40 °C.
• shorter driving distances (shorter than 10 km) at low temperatures (under 5 °C).
This may result in abnormally high oil temperature or oil consumption.
Choose a fully synthetic engine oil for adverse driving conditions. It provides extra protection for the engine. (Italics mine).

Required Oil grade: ACEA A1/B1
Viscosity: SAE 5W–30

(note that 0W30, 0W40, 5W40 are allowed)

When driving under adverse conditions, use ACEA A5/B5 SAE 0W-30. The A5/B5 are European requirements for viscosity stability and long drain. The 7500 mile drain interval on this car is relatively long...and the heat from the turbo bearings is hard on any oil.

There are no conventional 0W30 oils on the market. All 0W30 oils are synthetic. Most oils do NOT meet ACEA A5/B5, even some synthetics don't.

Examples of oil that meet the ACEA A5/B5:

Mobil ONE
Pennzoil Ultra
Castrol EDGE (the 5W30 and 10W30 only)
AMSOIL (some lines)
and a few others...

So, pay attention to what you're buying and what is going in your engine. Use the correct oil for your application and you'll save yourself the $$ and heartache of problems down the road.

As a data point: the Pennzoil Ultra 5W40 and the Mobil ONE 0W40 in my cars have had great results from laboratory analysis at the recommended drain interval of 7500+ miles. The engines are squeaky clean inside (you can scope yours during an oil change or by changing o-rings on the cooler). I have yet to replace any part of the flame trap on either car.

Look for a good synthetic, that meets the ACEA A5/B5, when it's on sale and stock up...rant complete...

[JRL]

Mobil1, 5w30 here