What kind of Motor Oil does my vehicle take? 1997 volvo 850

[christhegamer]

Hi guys, I have a 1997 Volvo 850 non turbo vehicle, it is a 4 door sedan.. What kind of oil does my vehicle take? Some places say 5w30 some say 10w30 and some say 5w20, Any information will be very helpful.. By the way I currently have 5w20 in it and added a little 10w30 when it was running low.. Thanks guys !

[abscate]

Chris... You can search online for Volvo manuals and download them free of the spider house.

http://www.volvocars.com/us/own/owner-i ... rs-manuals

Oil threads quickly turn ugly.

We generally recommend full synthetic oil on these cars, they run cleaner and last longer

[christhegamer]

Even for a 1997 volvo 850, non turbo? My car is not a turbo it is just a 850 1997 2.4L model vehicle, So using my 10w30 or 5w20 is not for my vehicle? Or is not good for the engine? I went to the website you listed but I was a little confused... When I went to oreily autopart they said my vehicle takes 10w30 regular motor oil, but you are saying synthetic is better for my vehicle? Also when I got a oil change at midas they only put 5w20 regular motor oil, they did not put synthetic.. I want to make sure I am not putting something in my vehicle that can damage the engine or shorten engine life.. What should I do? I used 10w30 and Midas used 5w20, will it make a huge difference in using synthetic for my volvo rather then using the regular stuff like 5w20 or 10w30? thank you.

[tryingbe]

Your 850 can accept 5w-30, 10w-30, or 5w-40 depends on the temperature, as you are in Sunny CA, any of those would be fine. 5w-20 is not made for your vehicle. Synthetic is a better oil, is it justify the higher cost? That's a question only you can answer.

Check your oil level often and fill as necessary.

[oragex]

I would drain that 5W20 right away. I have read a post about someone who put this oil into it's older vehicle. This oil is required only in more recent engines - I guess 2005 and later, who have tighter tolerances. He found metal shavings later on while doing his oil change.

Anything that ends in W30 or W40 is fine, with the later being more suited in very hot weather. The first digit is of less importance for the temperature in your area. Be is synthetic or mineral, better stick with mineral on an old non turbo engine.

[christhegamer]

Wait are you saying that the 5W20 that is in my car right now is bad for my vehicle and can ruin my engine? The company "Midas" put this 5W20 oil in my car is it bad? Please if anyone else thinks the 5W20 is damaging to my car or engine please give yuour input thank you... If 5W20 is bad for my car I dont know why Midas put it in my car! grrrrr

[christhegamer]

Is there anyone on that can help me with this question I have i dont want the 5w20 to put metal shavings in my oil

[abscate]

You can see from the chart that 5W-30 oil is recommended up to 86 F ambient. Most parts of California you will be seeing that in the next three months. That 5W-20 oil will be thin at high temperatures. If you drive at 60 on the 405 every day, change it before the warm weather. Recommended interval for your car is 5000 miles, so you will be looking at another change in a few months. You don't have to run out and change that oil tomorrow but scratch Midas and jiffylube off your list.

With synthetic you can go to 7500 miles for changes, which pays the delta as well is less hassle.

[rspi]

Chris, I would get that oil out of your car TODAY. The first reply you got was the one you needed. The owners manual CLEARLY states that 10w-30 is the recommended viscosity for your car, and states that using weights other than what is listed can (more like will) cause engine wear/damage.

Full synthetic oil is better than non synthetic oil. Not required but better. Same with fuel, the car WILL RUN on 87 octane but the owners manual recommends 91+.

[misha]

Not today....yesterday
Every other viscosity with xx-40 will be proper.Just don't use xx-20 never again and also avoid xx-30 in higher mileage engine.