Engine: D5: Confused about oil

[Smedley]

I recently bought a S60 (D5, SE my 2007). The Volvo recommended oil is 0W30 A5/B5 (eg Castrol Professional Longtec). However a Volvo independent suggested 5W30 as long as it's A5/B5 and the main dealer said 0W30 but did not mention A5/B5?

I intend to perform intermediate oil changes (ie every 9k) so my question is which oil should I use? Should I use the Castrol Professional Longtec 0W30 A5/B5 or could I get away with another fully synthetic 0W30 (eg Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel 0W30 A3/B3/B4/C3)?

Am I right in thinking the 'A5/B5' relates to longevity and if I were to change the oil every 9K it would not be necessary?

I do about 24k miles a year so 9k takes about 5 months.

Thanks in advance.

[Andy]

I think you are essentially right about the A5/B5 being about longevity.

In my MY2003 163 D5 I use the 0W-30 Castrol Edge Turbo diesel which is a B4 product. I change it every 7K as it starts to sound like a bag of spanners beyond that point. I got it off Ebay for less than half the price as Halfords so its worth shopping around. I use less than a 0.5 litre as top ups between changes.

That's my experience, with a newer car I'd be very wary about straying far from manufacturers spec.

[4 forty]

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/ifram...tentId=7044829

[mickyoldskool]

well when your car gets to the 100,000 miles mark start to use the 5w/40 from halfords, its good stuff. paid about £32 for 5 litres. my car is now on 203,000 miles and still sounds like new.

[Chris_Rogers]

I assume the car is still under warantee, so to save yourself bother with this I'd stick to the recommended grade 7 spec.

Once you're out of warantee I'd suggest full synthetic 5/30 B3 spec, Vauxhall do a good one at a reasonable price for 20 lts.

[petrolhead69]

Do you have a maccess near you? their prices on oil are pretty unbeatable except for mail order. you need to become a member and you have to claim to be in the motor trade but they let you join as a self employed taxi driver (hint hint) as they consider that motor trade. I`ts a motor trade cash and carry, sort of like costco.

[S60D5NI]

Euro IV Diesels (i.e. your car) have a Particulate Filter (PF) - the important spec. as far as I know is B5 which is specificallly formulated for cars with PF's. Don't know what the consequences of using B3 or B4 would be, but implication is that it may reduce the efficiency of the PF or permanently damage it. I would suspect this would only occur over a relatively long period of time, but personally I wouldn't take the risk.

Actual viscosity not that critical so 5/30 or 5/40 would probably be OK in our temperate climate. Manufactures tend to like 0/30 as the lower viscosity improves fuel consumption! It also allows easier starting on cold mornings.

I don't think Castrol Edge is a B5 grade (A3/B3/B4 I think) - so would be fine for Euro III but not rated by the manufacturer as suitable for Euro IV diesels.

I have found it quite hard to source B5 spec. (the dealer I go to uses Casrtol R Tec which is no longer produced for the DIY market as far as I know). Only one I found so far is Mobile 1 ESP (5/30) in good old Halfords. While under warranty, I get a litre off the dealer (of which I've used about 1/2 litre to top-up between services over that last 2 1/2 years / 30,000 miles).

Has anyone tracked down a B5 spec. that you can get hold of fairly easily?

[toolbah]

Originally Posted by S60D5NI

Has anyone tracked down a B5 spec. that you can get hold of fairly easily?

Yes Pro-Tech 5w-30
Fully Synthetic - Ultimate Protection - Maximum Performance

Fully synthetic high performance 5w-30 low SAPS* oil specially formulated for the latest petrol and diesel engines fitted with exhaust after-treatment units** that require an ACEA C2 grade.
*Low SAPS = low Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur content.
**Exhaust after-treatment units = diesel particulate filters and catalytic converters.
Provides maximum performance with improved fuel efficiency and helps reduce emissions.
Ultimate low temperature performance to reduce start-up wear.

Service Classification: ACEA A5 B5 C2 API SM CF

Meets requirements of: PEUGEOT & CITROEN.

I pay around £27 for 5 litrs!! Also Halfords do there own and is specked as Peugeot & Citroen but also Volvo. In a brown can if I remember but costs around £39. I believe that it is the same stuff as the Comma as they produce the stuff for Halalfords.

[DieselDoNicely]

Originally Posted by mickyoldskool

well when your car gets to the 100,000 miles mark start to use the 5w/40 from halfords, its good stuff. paid about £32 for 5 litres. my car is now on 203,000 miles and still sounds like new.

I use Shell Helix 5W30 semi synthetic in my D5 and pay about £16 for 5 litres.

DDN

[nyc1dxo]

What's your opinon on using 5w20 ?