Look at the difference between a group 3 and group 5 oil I'm amazed

[June]

I hit 3K finally on the second oil change with Redline 100% synthetic oil. 9K ago was my last full synthetic oil change group 3. Throughout my car's life I have had dealer oil changes at 3K intervals except last year I wanted to try different brands to see if they were any better than the Castrol. I let Goodyear put Valvoline a couple times which faired slightly better, and the Ford dealer use Ford full synthetic which faired the best of the group 3 full synthetic.

The first "darker" oil is Valvoline 5w30 full synthetic and the nice Amber clear oil is Redline 5w30. The first change with Redline was polluted with the group 3 so I drove it 3K and had it changed to the oil in the photo which now is 3K old. No repairs or service has been done but a break flush and a dash fan which neither should effect the oil. I use Shell 93 octane from the same station always. It's the same engine and I carried a Volvo filter to Goodyear.

Immediately after the first oil change with Redline the car ran noticeably smoother. Within 300 miles the engine became silent at idle. Only the ticking of the injectors can be heard with the hood open while running. I have read on sites that Redline is known for that. I have been getting 1 to 3 mpg better than normal. I wouldn't believe it if someone said what I just did or minimally I would be skeptical. Just look at the photos and consider trying for yourself. I may consider 4 or 5 K oil changes which those of you who know me are aware I believe in 3K OCI. Oh the Redline oil with 3K has no bad odor whereas since new the 2004 S80 T6 and also my 2002 S80 T6 had dark oil that smelled like old burned up oil like in old US 70s car V8 did. Also that is why I have been adamant about 3K OCI. June

[Rattnalle]

That oil looks brand new. Almost as if you'd used actual synthetic oil
You'll easily do 5-6000 mi on that. I do 10000 km (spring/autumn) on 5W40 fully synthetic (brands differ) and it's usually dark by 8000 km but doesn't smell bad.

Sidenote: Do you really drive around with windshield stickers with the last service milage? I get annoyed by a single parking ticket left in the field of view..

[June]

That oil looks brand new. Almost as if you'd used actual synthetic oil
You'll easily do 5-6000 mi on that. I do 10000 km (spring/autumn) on 5W40 fully synthetic (brands differ) and it's usually dark by 8000 km but doesn't smell bad.

Sidenote: Do you really drive around with windshield stickers with the last service milage? I get annoyed by a single parking ticket left in the field of view..

The sticker does not bother me. The point of the sticker is to make it easy to see at a glance what mileage the oil change is due. I always check them to be sure they are set 3K in the future as Volvo always forgets and sets them 7,500 miles in the future. You are probably taller than me. June

[Rattnalle]

That oil looks brand new. Almost as if you'd used actual synthetic oil
You'll easily do 5-6000 mi on that. I do 10000 km (spring/autumn) on 5W40 fully synthetic (brands differ) and it's usually dark by 8000 km but doesn't smell bad.

Sidenote: Do you really drive around with windshield stickers with the last service milage? I get annoyed by a single parking ticket left in the field of view..

The sticker does not bother me. The point of the sticker is to make it easy to see at a glance what mileage the oil change is due. I always check them to be sure they are set 3K in the future as Volvo always forgets and sets them 7,500 miles in the future. You are probably taller than me. June

Perhaps. I sit quite high as well since me and the better half who is 8 inches shorter had to agree on a seating position that doesn't include too many adjustments between us.

Since I do even 10000 kms (6000 miles) it's easy to keep track by the trip computer.

[June]

That oil looks brand new. Almost as if you'd used actual synthetic oil
You'll easily do 5-6000 mi on that. I do 10000 km (spring/autumn) on 5W40 fully synthetic (brands differ) and it's usually dark by 8000 km but doesn't smell bad.

Sidenote: Do you really drive around with windshield stickers with the last service milage? I get annoyed by a single parking ticket left in the field of view..

The sticker does not bother me. The point of the sticker is to make it easy to see at a glance what mileage the oil change is due. I always check them to be sure they are set 3K in the future as Volvo always forgets and sets them 7,500 miles in the future. You are probably taller than me. June

Perhaps. I sit quite high as well since me and the better half who is 8 inches shorter had to agree on a seating position that doesn't include too many adjustments between us.

Since I do even 10000 kms (6000 miles) it's easy to keep track by the trip computer.

Mike and I have anagreement, I leave his truck and various playtoys alone and he leaves my Volvo alone. My S80 has three seat memory settings that key 1 and key 2 can be set for separate seat memory for separate drivers. I would think your V70 must be the same?

My first new car was a 1986 Buick Park Avenue and back then the oil change sticker was always a paper strip sticker placed inside the driver doorway area, but here in the USA those plastic windshield stickers have been used for about 30 years now. So I am well used to one being up there.

Is Synthetic oil real in Sweden or are they peddling group 3 as synthetic? Here we are getting screwed. Starting with the 1986 Buick through the 1998 V70 I used Mobil 1 and it stayed clear between changes. In fact my Buick mechanic claimed he reused the Mobil 1 drained from my car as it always stayed so clear it was invisible on the dipstick at 3K. By the 2002 S80 Synthetic oil turned dark by 3K. I thought it was because of the twin turbo. Never in a million years would I have guessed Mobil 1 would be reformulated. I was never impressed with Castrol Syntec. June

[Rattnalle]

The sticker does not bother me. The point of the sticker is to make it easy to see at a glance what mileage the oil change is due. I always check them to be sure they are set 3K in the future as Volvo always forgets and sets them 7,500 miles in the future. You are probably taller than me. June

Perhaps. I sit quite high as well since me and the better half who is 8 inches shorter had to agree on a seating position that doesn't include too many adjustments between us.

Since I do even 10000 kms (6000 miles) it's easy to keep track by the trip computer.

Mike and I have anagreement, I leave his truck and various playtoys alone and he leaves my Volvo alone. My S80 has three seat memory settings that key 1 and key 2 can be set for separate seat memory for separate drivers. I would think your V70 must be the same?

My first new car was a 1986 Buick Park Avenue and back then the oil change sticker was always a paper strip sticker placed inside the driver doorway area, but here in the USA those plastic windshield stickers have been used for about 30 years now. So I am well used to one being up there.

Is Synthetic oil real in Sweden or are they peddling group 3 as synthetic? Here we are getting screwed. Starting with the 1986 Buick through the 1998 V70 I used Mobil 1 and it stayed clear between changes. In fact my Buick mechanic claimed he reused the Mobil 1 drained from my car as it always stayed so clear it was invisible on the dipstick at 3K. By the 2002 S80 Synthetic oil turned dark by 3K. I thought it was because of the twin turbo. Never in a million years would I have guessed Mobil 1 would be reformulated. I was never impressed with Castrol Syntec. June

No power seats so we have to find our way back to our settings by hand. They used to be quite uncommon on cars here for some reason. And buying used I couldn't get everything on the wanted list.

As far as I know oil sold as synthetic here is a group 4. Supposedly viscosities like 5W40 and 0W40 are hard to make from non-synthetic base oils as well. That said I haven't noticed very much of a difference when I've used ACEA A3/B4 spec semi-synthetic 10W40. Looks pretty untouched for 5000 km then slowly goes dark but still feels and smells fine by 10000 km. The car is designed for 20000 km intervals* with this kind of oil so it's still being nice to the engine.

*under perfect conditions though, whatever that is..

[June]

Okay I went ahead and took the car in for it's appointment for the third Redline oil change. A rear side mark we light was out and my new floor mats were in. Though the oil had 3300 miles on it I still felt it was good. Now for this change any old group 3 oil has to be gone. For once the oil change sticker is set for 3K without me asking so I'll leave it and know what the mileage over it will be. I forgot to ask for a 5K. So here is a record of the beginning of this oil change. Also that the sticker is as always set for 3K as the oil hits 1,2,3,4,5K I will be adding photos of the condition and if at 5K it still is clean maybe 6K we shall see. The spot of oil on the paper towel without the dipstick was poured straight from the bottle never in the engine to show the natural color of the product. My car holds 7.25 quarts so I add the .25 quart when I get home to be sure the level is exactly on the full mark.

If anyone else has switched to a group 4 or 5 oil please add your photos of how your brand is fairing. I really feel this is a important topic. June

[Rattnalle]

This is my 5W40 ACEA A3/B4 after about 3500 km. It's an own brand oil from a large German retailer. 20 litres for $60.

I'm doing 10 000 km OCIs while the Volvo spec calls for 20 000 km and previous owner has stuck to that. I think I'm getting some old stuff out still when I add new oil with fresh cleaning agents more often than before. I've done 35 000 km on shorter intervals so far. It'll be time again in april or so.

[June]

Okay here is 1K.

[abscate]

Ah, the great seat debate.

My mother is still put off that SWMBO gets seat position 1, and she gets 2.

All of the others kids use Moms #1, except for Abby who at 5'5" uses Grandmoms #2

And my 6 foot 180# Defender shares my position 3 in a moment of Dad/Daughter Bonding