Synthetic in a '00 V70XC

Chris Bowsman · Post by **Chris Bowsman** » 03 Aug 2011, 21:54

I got a '00 V70XC AWD about a month and a half ago. It replaced my '97 850 wagon, which my bro-in-law is now enjoying. I changed the oil when I first got the V70, using Valvoline NextGen 5W-30. The oil was really dirty at that change, so I wanted to do it again fairly soon. I changed it tonight, using the Advance Auto Parts house brand synthetic 5W-30. I work at Advance, had never tried synthetic, and we had it for $3 a quart.

After finishing the oil and cleaning the K&N filter (thanks, previous owner!), I just got back from taking it for a spin. The engine is much quieter, peppier, and all around better running. I'm now sold on synthetic oil (the air filter may have helped, but it wasn't that dirty), but should I go for one of the "better" brands next time? Advance's house brand meets the ratings listed in the manual, but I really like the car and wouldn't mind spending a couple extra bucks to make it last.

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 Aug 2011, 22:21

After finishing the oil and cleaning the K&N filter (thanks, previous owner!), I just got back from taking it for a spin. The engine is much quieter, peppier, and all around better running. I'm now sold on synthetic oil (the air filter may have helped, but it wasn't that dirty), but should I go for one of the "better" brands next time?

I noticed exactly the same thing when I switched mine over. It was soooo much smoother and a LOT more happy to rev. I'd just thought the 5-cyl engine was lazy and didn't like to rev like 4-cyl cars I was used to.

I've been using Mobil-1 for 3 years now and I'm very happy with it. Pennzoil Platinum is supposed to be another very good synthetic oil.

Btw - oil filters. Use a Mann, NAPA Gold, Mobil-1, or Wix filter. Please don't put a Fram orange can on these engines.

Post by **Juan62** » 04 Aug 2011, 00:03

Mobil 1 Synthetic for 13 years. You can catch them on sale at Wal-mart, as well as others. I usually buy them 4 or 5 quart jugs when on sale for winter and summer.

Post by **burnout8488** » 04 Aug 2011, 09:01

How many miles were on the NextGen before you dumped it for the synthetic?

Also, "dirtiness" or color is not an indicator of oil life, surprisingly. When it's black, that means it's doing its job of catching particulates and soot. 3000 mile old pitch black oil is not necessarily bad. It's the TBN (basically, the amount of detergency left) of the oil that dictates when the oil is spent, which is usually way past 5000 miles.

The Advance Autoparts synthetic may be bottled by Exxon, or another big oil manufacturer. I'm sure the source is somewhere online. It could very well be a decent syn at a *very* decent price.

Usually going from dino to synthetic doesn't net too much of a noticeable gain... maybe the old oil filter was getting a bit clogged? Either way, good to hear the synthetic is working great for you!

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 04 Aug 2011, 10:32

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 04 Aug 2011, 13:22

ecbsykes wrote:Just got back from Alaska!

Drove from Flagstaff, Arizona to Anchorage, Alaska and then back down to San Diego where I'm at now. 8,200 miles on my oil so far, and I still have to drive back to Flagstaff. Mobil 1 10W-40 High Mileage is being put to the test!

And you didn't swing through Fairbanks? I'm hurt...

Awesome drive on the Alcan!
How was the trip?

BTW - Mobil 1 5w-30 year round, here.

Smooth as glass...

Harpoon · Post by **Harpoon** » 04 Aug 2011, 14:22

I am a firm believer in Amzoil. I have had samples with 25,000 miles (recommended for 30,000 miles) sent in for analysis and it is consistent with valvoline at 3,000 miles. You must be sure to keep up on the filter though. Great topic of discussion, thanks for brining it to the table.

bguzz · Post by **bguzz** » 04 Aug 2011, 19:50

synthetic oil is great quality oil. The problem is, it is only really beneficial under extreme temperatures or extended drains. So unless it is well below zero, or you are running 10K OCI's, there really is no difference between that an regular oil in the same weight/grade. I use M1 0W40 and run 10K OCI's which works well for me (have sent in OIl analysis to be sure).

Chris Bowsman · Post by **Chris Bowsman** » 10 Aug 2011, 17:39

The NextGen had a little over 2k miles on it when I changed it. I've been doing A LOT of reading about oil since then and realize that was probably an unnecessary change, but I had the synthetic and was itching to give it a try. I've been using Purolator Classic filters, but the first one looked a bit worn for such a short life. This is the first car I've had with the insert filters, so maybe that's normal.

We typically have Castrol Syntec on sale with a Bosch Distance Plus filter for about $30. The next month we'll have Mobil One with a Mobil filter for $33. I'll have to pay a little extra for my filter (the V70 filter is out of the normal special price range), so is the Mobil worth the extra couple bucks?