which engine oil for both 1997-850 NA and 2001-V70XC

Post by **xHeart** » 06 Mar 2012, 05:47

I have looked through MVS posts on oil change, and procedures. It is clear, and I have everything (ramp and accessories, filters, tools, weather, and a radio station) to proceed with it this weekend, except the motor oil.

I do not know what types are in these engines already. I am hoping to pick up a case or two on sale, natural or synthetic. Is it prudent to switch both cars to one type such as 0W30 Synthetic for both P80, and P2 engines?

TIA!

Post by **jblackburn** » 06 Mar 2012, 07:02

I wouldn't use a 0W. You could go with a 5W-30 up in that area and probably be fine year-round.

If they're running on conventional oil (they probably are if you take it somewhere to have the oil changed), really no reason to change unless you drive them really hard or want to extend the change interval past 5000 miles.

Whichever you decide to go with, there are several good oils of both types.

Post by **xHeart** » 06 Mar 2012, 08:36

Pennzoil 5w30 (12/1qt) is about $37. Is this a good enough product?
Or Mobile 1 5w30 (6/1qt) for $32 (twice as much).

Post by **jblackburn** » 06 Mar 2012, 08:37

Pennzoil is a fantastic product.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... er=1331076

Post by **xHeart** » 06 Mar 2012, 08:46

So, I will use Pennzoil 5w-30 conventional(?) motor oil for both cars. It is also money-wise for us. Thank you J!

Post by **MoVolvos** » 06 Mar 2012, 09:01

Purchased a new rebuilt motor for my 95 Grand Voyager 3.0 Mitsubishi Motor and put 50,000 miles and it still had hash marks in it when it lost a head-gasket. When I bought the van it also had a head-gasket problem on the original motor. They Mitsubishi and the re-builders could never quite get it right. The mechanic who replaced the head-gasket was second generation and he had never seen it before but these builders in the link have. Read page 2 about Dyno Testing and a High Performance shop comments.

There was a oil war waging in that forum
http://www.clubtitan.org/forums/showthr ... 584&page=2

Blessings,

BKM

Post by **erikv11** » 06 Mar 2012, 10:36

Oil war? Compared to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... p?ubb=cfrm, that's not even a skirmish!

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 07 Mar 2012, 02:56

Using Mobil Oil's oil selection guide on their site, Mobil generally recommends different oils for your two cars, Mobil 1 5W-30 for the v70 and 10W-30 for the 850. However, it does also recommend 0W-30 Extended Life for both cars if you want to move to one motor oil for both.

There is also an interesting technical Q&A about 0W oils. Take a look.

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... .aspx?pg=1

Personally I like 0W oil for the extra start-up protection and I use 0W-30 in my V70 with fine results.

As for the conventional oil costing half as much... that isn't much of a saving if you have to change it at least twice as often.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 07 Mar 2012, 06:34

0W-xx oils are typically very well made. use them with confidence. Mobil 1 0W-30 is an outstanding oil, as is Castrol 0W-30 (Made in Germany). I wish people would stop spreading weird information about them.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Mar 2012, 06:53

0W's are always a synthetic oil - there's really no need for the OP to go with one.

I noticed a huge difference in start-up smoothness (typically around 20-30 deg F - it runs easier for the first few seconds) switching to a 5W from a 10W on my car. That would improve the further you go north.