Login Register

Oil viscosity and the owners' manual

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on all Volvo's "mid era" rear wheel drive Volvos.

1975 - 1993 240
1983 - 1992 740
1982 - 1991 760
1986 - 1991 780
1990 - 1998 940
1990 - 1998 960
1997 - 1998 V90/S90

Post Reply
User avatar
volvolugnut
Posts: 6233
Joined: 19 January 2014
Year and Model: 2001 V70
Location: Oklahoma USA
Has thanked: 927 times
Been thanked: 1000 times

Re: Oil viscosity and the owners' manual

Post by volvolugnut »

Yes, oils have changed greatly over the years. I have a reprint of a 1938 Ford car manual that advises for cold weather operation, 1 quart of oil should be drained from the engine and replaced with 1 quart of gasoline. When the engine was started on this mixture, you were to watch the oil level and when the gasoline boiled or burned off, add a quart of oil. This was a time when only straight viscosity grades were available - 10, 20 or 30 weight oils.

volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post