Engine: TDI: - Engine Oil Grade Discussion

commanderlg · Apr 30th, 2009, 00:18

Hi,

I thought it would be useful to include this card [see below] for engine oil grades.

Is there really such a bing difference? In the course of my current big service, I noticed discrepancies. The table below is self-explanatory, but I ended up being recommended a grade below the green arrows [SAE 15W/40].

Any comments much appreciated as there is a lot to learn from any differences between grades and what really is best to protect the engine effectively.

Rgds

outnumbered · Apr 30th, 2009, 06:27

i always used the on the 850 10w 4o and found no issues with that as for price is there much difference between grades???.
mike

hal9000f · May 6th, 2009, 19:22

I'd stick to 10W/40 as volvo recommended it for 850 TDI when it was out. I am using it and the engine seems very happy with that. I change it every 8000-8500 kms, and there is no oil consumption between changes. The level stays the same.

Few years later Volvo recommended 5W/40 for 850 TDI to improve cold starting, but I stayed with 10W/40 and I just change it sooner.

IMHO - avoid 15W/40 for this TDI engine!!!

commanderlg · May 9th, 2009, 00:02

Quote:

Few years later Volvo recommended 5W/40 for 850 TDI to improve cold starting, but I stayed with 10W/40 and I just change it sooner.

It is interesting you mention this, because 5W/40 is exactly what Castrol recommends for Volvo engines D5252T and what I have put in the engine.

It appears to be right. No issues, excellent cold start and optimal responsiveness once normal operating temperature is reached.

Rgds

SteveTSlade · May 9th, 2009, 00:59

Turbos run hot.
The 5W/40 is a good choice.
Climate is a big factor in engine longevity.
Do you use a master mechanic or dealer for the service?

Man...I wish I could find a set of those roof racks.
I could carry a bunch of 4X2s.

Steve
Carpenteer in New Scotland.

DieselDoNicely · May 9th, 2009, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by commanderlg

It is interesting you mention this, because 5W/40 is exactly what Castrol recommends for Volvo engines D5252T and what I have put in the engine.

It appears to be right. No issues, excellent cold start and optimal responsiveness once normal operating temperature is reached.

Rgds

I always use Shell Helix.

DDN

commanderlg · May 10th, 2009, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveTSlade

Turbos run hot.
The 5W/40 is a good choice.
Climate is a big factor in engine longevity.
Do you use a master mechanic or dealer for the service?
Steve

Steve,

I use a master mechanic in a great big independent garage that goes by the name of VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, here in Scotland. Honest people, costumer-focused and offer either a complete parts + labour or the costumer picks the parts elsewhere and they do the maintenance.

Normally I buy the parts and they supply the labour.

Quote:

Man...I wish I could find a set of those roof racks.

LOL

Can't help you there, but I agree those roof racks are great sturdy friends.

Rgds

SUBURBAN KID · May 10th, 2009, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by commanderlg

Hi,

I thought it would be useful to include this card [see below] for engine oil grades.

Is there really such a bing difference? In the course of my current big service, I noticed discrepancies. The table below is self-explanatory, but I ended up being recommended a grade below the green arrows [SAE 15W/40].

Any comments much appreciated as there is a lot to learn from any differences between grades and what really is best to protect the engine effectively.

Rgds

15 W 40? Thats tractor oil mate.
I think the lowest I'd go is 10 w 40 in one of these.
A lot of folk go for 5 w 40, but if your worried about oil seals, be careful about fully synthetic oil.

BillB · May 10th, 2009, 19:26

5-40 has a lower initial viscosity than 10-40 (for a given temperature) but it only matters when it's really cold i.e you might use 5-40 in Canada or the Alps for easier starting, so IMO 10-40 is OK for the UK. Soon after the engine starts it's the higher figure that matters i.e. the 40. I think people get too concerned about oil viscosity and often incorrectly assume a lower figure is "good" e.g. to say 5-40 is "better" than 15-40 is a meaningless statement without qualification. Audi recommended 10-30 to 15-50 for this engine, depending on typical outside temperature. 15-40 isn't "tractor oil" - in a warm climate it may be the best choice as 10-40 may be too "thin" at its lower temperature. Why do you think they make different viscosity ranges? Horses for courses. Regards.

SteveTSlade · May 10th, 2009, 20:30

Here on the east coast of Canada...it does get fairly cold in the winter months. From the end of December to the end of March it usually sits at about -5C to -15C with the odd week during January and February where it will get to -20C to -30C for four or five days.

In the summer weeks...it can get up to +30C for a week or two. Generally it is around +18C to +24C.

I use Castrol 10W40 all year long. Non of my vehicles have ever been turbos though.

Steve
Selma, Nova Scotia

Apr 30th, 2009, 00:18	#1
commanderlg Junior Member Last Online: Dec 4th, 2009 15:12 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scotland View Photos By: commanderlg	Engine Oil Grade Discussion Hi, I thought it would be useful to include this card [see below] for engine oil grades. Is there really such a bing difference? In the course of my current big service, I noticed discrepancies. The table below is self-explanatory, but I ended up being recommended a grade below the green arrows [SAE 15W/40]. Any comments much appreciated as there is a lot to learn from any differences between grades and what really is best to protect the engine effectively. Rgds __________________ "Road sense is the offspring of courtesy and the parent of safety". Australian Traffic Rule, quoted by Maud van Buren

Apr 30th, 2009, 06:27	#2
outnumbered Lunatic from Wakefield Last Online: Apr 16th, 2023 06:33 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: wakefield	i always used the on the 850 10w 4o and found no issues with that as for price is there much difference between grades???. mike __________________ 2012 volvo xc90 Executive Buccaneer Bermuda 2021

May 6th, 2009, 19:22	#3
hal9000f Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:55 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Zagreb	I'd stick to 10W/40 as volvo recommended it for 850 TDI when it was out. I am using it and the engine seems very happy with that. I change it every 8000-8500 kms, and there is no oil consumption between changes. The level stays the same. Few years later Volvo recommended 5W/40 for 850 TDI to improve cold starting, but I stayed with 10W/40 and I just change it sooner. IMHO - avoid 15W/40 for this TDI engine!!! __________________ [1981...244gld6] - 1992. > 2004. [1997 ... 855tdi] - 2004. > today. [2013 ... V70d3] - 2022. > today.

May 9th, 2009, 00:59	#5
SteveTSlade New Member Last Online: Nov 11th, 2010 17:48 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Selma, Nova Scotia	Turbos run hot. The 5W/40 is a good choice. Climate is a big factor in engine longevity. Do you use a master mechanic or dealer for the service? Man...I wish I could find a set of those roof racks. I could carry a bunch of 4X2s. Steve Carpenteer in New Scotland.

May 10th, 2009, 19:26	#9
BillB VOC Member Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 13:58 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bristol	5-40 has a lower initial viscosity than 10-40 (for a given temperature) but it only matters when it's really cold i.e you might use 5-40 in Canada or the Alps for easier starting, so IMO 10-40 is OK for the UK. Soon after the engine starts it's the higher figure that matters i.e. the 40. I think people get too concerned about oil viscosity and often incorrectly assume a lower figure is "good" e.g. to say 5-40 is "better" than 15-40 is a meaningless statement without qualification. Audi recommended 10-30 to 15-50 for this engine, depending on typical outside temperature. 15-40 isn't "tractor oil" - in a warm climate it may be the best choice as 10-40 may be too "thin" at its lower temperature. Why do you think they make different viscosity ranges? Horses for courses. Regards.

May 10th, 2009, 20:30	#10
SteveTSlade New Member Last Online: Nov 11th, 2010 17:48 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Selma, Nova Scotia	Here on the east coast of Canada...it does get fairly cold in the winter months. From the end of December to the end of March it usually sits at about -5C to -15C with the odd week during January and February where it will get to -20C to -30C for four or five days. In the summer weeks...it can get up to +30C for a week or two. Generally it is around +18C to +24C. I use Castrol 10W40 all year long. Non of my vehicles have ever been turbos though. Steve Selma, Nova Scotia

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