Which should I use 0w-30 or 5w-30
 

I have a 59 plate V70 2.0D. It’s registered as a January 2010 bizarrely. In my owners manual it says I should use 5w-30 and in adverse weather conditions 0w-30. In my Haynes manual it’s simply says 0w-30.

What is the difference between the two oils and which should I use?

I get that the Volvo Manual would be the obvious choice, but as it speaks of both and the Haynes manual says one of them I wasn’t sure what would be best.

0w-30 oil is thinner than 5w-30, so its designed for use in colder climates simply because its thinner and will pump around the engine quicker than a thicker oil. Thinner oil also helps fuel efficiency, but a thicker oil grade usually aids in reducing oil consumption because it lubricates the parts more being thicker, therefore using less oil than a thinner grade.

There's no need to use 0w-30 in the UK, as we don't have really cold winter seasons like some countries do. Thereore, I'd go with 5w-30, which is recommended in your owner's manual & buy a decent brand. However, I'd personally suggest buying your oil from a Volvo dealership for peace of mind.

Partial rubbish!
Both are the same thickness at operating temp, bot 0w flows better when cold.
0w oils also need to be made from a higher quality base stock.
So in very simple terms, 0w30 is the best choice, 5w30 is fine.
To put it another way, both are effectively 30 grade oils, but 0w thickens up less when cold.
Make sure the spec is correct, that is more relevant than which multigrade range to choose.

Use whichever is nearest your hand... they will both do the job providing all the other specs are okay.

Never really looked at the meaning of the oil specs before but found this useful to explain the numbers to me. Every day is a school day!

https://www.lubricants.total.com/what-are-oil-grades

Nice.
If only more people spent a few mins equipping themselves with facts rather than hearsay and pub talk, oil questions and arguments would vastly reduce. 👍
What astounds me, as a former mechanic too, is the amount of professionals who dont understand either, misinforming, misdiagnosing, and filling peoples cars with the wrong stuff...

Just go volvo and get what ever they give you. Volvo is cheap for oil anyway and it's castrol edge. Ask for discount as you usually get something of serviceable parts. By the time I get my oil, filter etc and ask for discount its around the same price as the motor factors.

Indeed. Using the correct oil is the way to go! You can't go wrong with the stuff that was designed to be used in an engine by the manufacturer, regardless of the cost.

Yes everyday is a school day. Thank you everyone, also yes going with the user manual. lol.

out of interest, how much do you pay for your oil from a Volvo dealership? I'm looking at changing the oil & filters on my 2.0D soon