Which should I use 0w-30 or 5w-30

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by BenV70

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

I got my car serviced at an independent Volvo specialist, but I recommend buying the oil from a Volvo dealership so they give you the correct grade (0w30 or 5w30 as an example) & spec (A5/B5 lets say) for your vehicle. Lots of people just buy any old oil and put it in their engine, but that can cause serious issues. I'm not implying that you will by any means, but at least by ringing the dealership for your oil, you'll be getting the right stuff for your car!

Alternatively, if you don't want to ring the dealership & just buy the oil elsewhere, then check your owner's manual - The correct oil grade/spec you need for your vehicle will be listed there. Then you can go to your local parts store, ask them for the oil grade/spec you require & buy an alternative brand. This may be cheaper than the dealership, but make sure you get the right grade/spec (Very important) & that they don't try to sell you any old stuff! There's lots of brands out there, its up to you which you go for.

[AndyV7o]

Or use an established reputable vendor such as Opieoils.co.uk (there is also a 10% forum discount, think its VOLVO or VOLVO10) dobt listen to eurocarparts and their like, they have little accurate info and so long as they sell you something, they dont care.
Also be wary of mechanics, ensure you KNOW what oil is right and stick to your guns, unfortunately some are shockingly naive and half-baked when it comes to oil. Im a former mechanic, before anybody thinks Im slighting the profession.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I got my car serviced at an independent Volvo specialist, but I recommend buying the oil from a Volvo dealership so they give you the correct grade (0w30 or 5w30 as an example) & spec (A5/B5 lets say) for your vehicle. Lots of people just buy any old oil and put it in their engine, but that can cause serious issues. I'm not implying that you will by any means, but at least by ringing the dealership for your oil, you'll be getting the right stuff for your car!

Alternatively, if you don't want to ring the dealership & just buy the oil elsewhere, then check your owner's manual - The correct oil grade/spec you need for your vehicle will be listed there. Then you can go to your local parts store, ask them for the oil grade/spec you require & buy an alternative brand. This may be cheaper than the dealership, but make sure you get the right grade/spec (Very important) & that they don't try to sell you any old stuff! There's lots of brands out there, its up to you which you go for.

My dealer charges £11+vat per litre for 0-30 castrol baught in bulk, I can buy it for £10-25 a litre equivalent in 4 litre cans in halfords with the trade card.

Paul.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by AndyV7o

Or use an established reputable vendor such as Opieoils.co.uk (there is also a 10% forum discount, think its VOLVO or VOLVO10) dobt listen to eurocarparts and their like, they have little accurate info and so long as they sell you something, they dont care.
Also be wary of mechanics, ensure you KNOW what oil is right and stick to your guns, unfortunately some are shockingly naive and half-baked when it comes to oil. Im a former mechanic, before anybody thinks Im slighting the profession.

Years ago I worked in a large Peugeot dealership - if you came to the parts counter and asked for oil they would look up the spec and sell you the correct TOTAL branded oil in bottles (TOTAL are PSA's preferred supplier). If your car was in the workshop for a service it would get whatever was in the one large tank at the back regardless of what engine, petrol, diesel, turbo etc..... not sure what spec it was but it was Castrol brand.

[AndyV7o]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Years ago I worked in a large Peugeot dealership - if you came to the parts counter and asked for oil they would look up the spec and sell you the correct TOTAL branded oil in bottles (TOTAL are PSA's preferred supplier). If your car was in the workshop for a service it would get whatever was in the one large tank at the back regardless of what engine, petrol, diesel, turbo etc..... not sure what spec it was but it was Castrol brand.

Yeah, so long as its good quality and suitable, thats what matters.

20 years ago when I was at the garage, there were 2 drums, 15w40 mineral and 10w40 semi. Most cars got one or the other unless it needed unique oil which was ordered from the factors. Valvoline was used.
Cars were less complicated then though, most only needed an appropriate api spec and common grade. Usually it was just the fords that required 10w30 ordering.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by AndyV7o

Yeah, so long as its good quality and suitable, thats what matters.

20 years ago when I was at the garage, there were 2 drums, 15w40 mineral and 10w40 semi. Most cars got one or the other unless it needed unique oil which was ordered from the factors. Valvoline was used.
Cars were less complicated then though, most only needed an appropriate api spec and common grade. Usually it was just the fords that required 10w30 ordering.

Sorry I didn’t explain myself very well... the point I was trying to make is I do recognise that for many reasons it is important to put an appropriate spec oil in a specific engine.... if you go to a large garage (and the likes of kiwi fit etc) the oil menu is likely to be short....

[Peter86]

Originally Posted by BenV70

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

I recently got some 0w30 Edge from volvo, 4L £28+vat, gone up £4 since last year. (cost price to them apparently).
Sometimes it can be cheaper in Costco when on offer if you have membership.

[green van man]

Originally Posted by Peter86

I recently got some 0w30 Edge from volvo, 4L £28+vat, gone up £4 since last year. (cost price to them apparently).
Sometimes it can be cheaper in Costco when on offer if you have membership.

You did better than me, my dealer wanted £11+vat per litre. Halfords £41 including VAT with the trade card for 4 litres.

Paul.

[Model flyer]

Go to a good motor factors . They supply a range of oils and can get the correct spec oil up on their system in seconds . Re oil grade , If your engine is in good nick and not done very high miles or still under warranty then 0w-30 as per the manual but if your engine is high miler and uses a drop between changes or you do all your own work then 5W-30 will be fine in our climate .
If any members have a Costco card then a really good A5-B5 oil Chevron Supreme fully synthetic 5W-30 is available from them at around £45 for 20 liters . That's 3 oil changes plus a little top up . I used it for years in two of my V70's . I only stopped using it as latest car (sorry not a Volvo) uses a higher C spec oil.
Costco do sell other brands but the Chevron is the best value for money .

[AndyV7o]

You dont need 5w30 as opposed to 0w30 in a higher mileage engine.
First you shouldnt need to change grade, but if a thicker oil would be beneficial that would be 0w40 not 5w30 as the next step up. Its the hot viscosity which is around 1/5th the cold thickness, that makes the difference. 0w is plenty thick at cold temps.