oil question '95 850 N/A auto

[jblackburn]

For you guys that like to say 5w is ok, if you look at the oil chart, it specifically states that weight for temps under 0 degrees. So if you are not in a place that the temp gets that low, like where I live, running 5w is to thin.

I don't believe that is the way to read that chart. A 5w oil extends the ambient operating temperature range to those temperatures, it doesn't move the range down. A 5w oil isn't too thin when used above 0F.

I only use 0w or 5w Mobil 1 oils in my vehicles and I have no oil leaks. They definitely make diesel engines easier to start in even cool weather.

This.

[jonesboy1983]

I don't know much about this but I've researched a bunch on the various volvo sites and bobistheoilguy. But it seems to me that the problems with these discussions is that it is impossible to test. I mean I think these engines could probably run for 200,000 miles on just about any oil. I've read people using 0w30, 15w40, dino, synthetic, and everything in between. But I think the only way we could accurately gauge what is best would be to have two 850s that are in the same location, driven the same way, have oil changes at the same inverval, and are otherwise maintained identically, and then try different oils in each. Then we could see whose engine lasted the longest. Of course this is impossible to do and so we have these endless debates about oil that can't be proved or disproved. I find it fascinating nevertheless though

[rspi]

Oil lab test shows wear. Easy test to take and worth the $50.

[xHeart]

...on the other hand, there is this divide, the cars running in extreme cold climate and those in warm climate like Robert's.

I gather much of it is about where the car runs hence the oil grade. Is there a count by which one would determine if South-west Volvos living longer than those in North-east?

[jblackburn]

...on the other hand, there is this divide, the cars running in extreme cold climate and those in warm climate like Robert's.

I gather much of it is about where the car runs hence the oil grade. Is there a count by which one would determine if South-west Volvos living longer than those in North-east?

They probably rust away from the road salt before they stop running.

[northernlights]

They probably rust away from the road salt before they stop running.

Sad but true!

Nowhere do any of those recommendations say anything about using 50-weight in a Volvo engine.

Well....that's true! In my overzealousness about pointing out how Volvo outside of North America has:

1) Operating ranges for straight 40 weight oil, and
2) No interest in API/ILSAC, only ACEA

I did neglect the fact that Volvo does not recommend 50 weight at all.

But, I still think non ACEA oil has a high probability of being crap. So if Mobil 1 15W50 is has the ACEA A3 blessing, I would not be afraid to use it in the correct application which, as jblackburn rightfully pointed out, is probably competition.

FWIW, Castrol sells an A3 rated 10W60 in places like South Africa.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/productd ... Id=7034892

But in all fairness, and I quote, they reccomend it to 'Deliver race proven power and performance for highly tuned, bad-to-the-bone competition engines' so driving to the mall probably doesn't count.

[rspi]

I have a buddy in Miami that has over 450,000 on his modded '96 850 Turbo. He uses 15w 50 all the time. I might add that Miami may never see 50 degree weather. Not sure what his compression numbers are but he wasn't complaining about it dieing down. He just picked up a Yellow 850 with only 115,000 on the clock so he may never drive the '96 again. LOL

As Justin said, the cars up north with rust out before they hit 300+. LOL

Other than all that, I just got my test kit in the mail so we'll see the difference between the 10w-30 and the 10w-40 soon.

[rspi]

Hmmmm, a little surprise... If you want to know if you can extend your oil changes it cost an additional $10. So the total analysis will be $35 plus shipping there.

[abscate]

From our workplace HR policy handbook....

"The following topics have traditionally been areas leading to HR discussions of workplace appropriateness:

"Sex, politics, religion, oil type, oil change intervals....."