31 replies to this topic

[swedishiron]

Is anyone running a 5W20 to improve mileage OR for better performance ? Have you noticed a pickup in mileage?

If i did run a 5W20 I would run Redline Synthetic.

[trs80]

Doubt you will see a measurable difference. In addition any savings would be negated by the added cost of said oil.

Driving technique will net you the biggest mileage gain.

[swedishiron]

I use said oil now and was going to increment up to possibly 10K oil change intervals, right now I run 10W30 weight Redline in a 2005 S60R- i do have a lead foot
and average @17MPG running mainly 93 octane Chevron - sometimes I will top off with a 1/2 tank of 89 octane Chevron. I average a mininum of 20K miles a year
on my car.

[Fudge_Brownie]

It really seems like you are nickle-and-diming. 89 octane is a waste. Ever do the math on what that is actually saving you? 20,000 miles @ 17mpg @ .10cent savings per gallon $117/year. And that's assuming you fill EVERY tank with 89 instead of 93. At 'occasional fills', its much less. Note that I kept 17mpg static, so if you are able to gain mpg on the 89, you increase your savings minorly.

Pushing 10k intervals on 10W20, are you planning on conducting sample analysis? Otherwise, I'd think you're just taking an arbitrary gamble.

I agree that removing that lead foot is undoubtedly your most cost effective and safest fix. If you do a lot of highway driving, maybe run 2psi higher tire pressure and pay attention to the wear on your tires.

This all reminds me of overweight people who have a low-cal meal every fifth Sunday, so that they can feel like they are making progress. But they are turning a blind eye to the 3k calorie dinners they have every night. I crazy?

Edited by Fudge_Brownie, 17 February 2012 - 05:38 PM.
Editted my mistake of .05 difference to .10

[swedishiron]

@Fudgie_Brown - obviously you dont read too well, I said I occassionally (actually rarely) top off a HALF a tank with 89 octane which - 89+93 averages 91 octane which is Volvo's octane recommendation.
My Haynes UK manual recommends 9K oil change intervals for the S60. I definitely don't think 10K is a stretch if you are running a TRUE synthetic engine oil especially on an OEM filter which is what I use.
The oil would be changed a minimum every 6 months based on my rate of mileage accumulation.

[Che'_Moderator]

My Haynes UK manual recommends 9K oil change intervals for the S60. I definitely don't think 10K is a stretch

Does Haynes tell your to drive like ?

10k miles or km?

With a 10k mile interval I would do 2 filter changes in there.

[ozzimark]

Ride a bike.

[swedishiron]

@Che - Volvo US owner's manual states 7500 mile oil change intervals and warns you that is WITHOUT Synthetic oil unless you pay extra for it. What proof do you have you need to change your filter every 3-4K miles - waste of time and money if you are running a true synthetic oil and this been proven time and time again by used oil analysis on BITOG.

Regardless the main focus in runnning 5W20 weight - I am curious if anyone is running it ? Otherwise you can stay out the conversation.

[Che'_Moderator]

@Che - Volvo US owner's manual states 7500 mile oil change intervals and warns you that is WITHOUT Synthetic oil unless you pay extra for it. What proof do you have you need to change your filter every 3-4K miles - waste of time and money if you are running a true synthetic oil and this been proven time and time again by used oil analysis on BITOG.

Regardless the main focus in runnning 5W20 weight - I am curious if anyone is running it ? Otherwise you can stay out the conversation.

One BTOG is about as trust worthy as wikipedia, but that aside what does chemical composition of oil have to do with the oil filter? I can pour a cup of sand in the pan and trash a brand new filter. Its a filter not a conditioner. The oil would still be fine but the oil filter would be shot and in bypass. As for 20 weight oil I have run it on several occasions. Usually to qualify or dyno. Its is way too light for sustained use in a turbo vehicle.

[Burn-E]

It really seems like you are nickle-and-diming. 89 octane is a waste. Ever do the math on what that is actually saving you? 20,000 miles @ 17mpg @ .05cent savings per gallon -> $58/year. And that's assuming you fill EVERY tank with 89 instead of 93. At 'occasional fills', its much less. Note that I kept 17mpg static, so if you are able to gain mpg on the 89, you increase your savings minorly.

5 cent difference between 93 and 89??? Not where I live. There's generally a 10 cent difference between the three grades:

87 = $3.39
89 = $3.49
93 = $3.59

So there would be a 20 cent difference between regular, medium and premium. That changes it from $58 to $116 a year in gas cost between 89 and 91 (we get 93). That's $10 a month more. Though I run 87 in the NA so for me it's a $20 a month difference.

[Fudge_Brownie]

@Fudgie_Brown - obviously you dont read too well, I said I occassionally (actually rarely) top off a HALF a tank with 89 octane which - 89+93 averages 91 octane which is Volvo's octane recommendation. My Haynes UK manual recommends.

I read perfectly fine.

. At 'occasional fills', its much less.

You are reading a Haynes UK manual, are you based in the UK, or US? You've opted not to fill out your location in your profile, so no one is aware if you are in the UK.

I can say, based on my time spent here, I don't think many are runnning 10W-20. Let's hypothetically say we have someone here who can tell you they gained 2mpg by switching.... but they've only driven 10,000 miles on 10W-20. The damage being done may not be evident yet. That is why I am asking if you will be conducting oil analysis on your fills. I think with that, you will obtain the best information. Try it, sample at 3k miles, and base your decisions on the data.

5 cent difference between 93 and 89??? Not where I live. There's generally a 10 cent difference between the three grades:

You're correct, my mistake. Will edit post accordingly.

[Iron Monkey]

Monkey runs 10w-20 in the monkeymobile because his neighbor told him 10w-30 was for suckers. 50000 kilometers later, engine is just fine. The 4 mpg increase made it all worth it.

[Che'_Moderator]

LOL..... IM? You there?

[Volvo5.0]

5 cent difference between 93 and 89??? Not where I live. There's generally a 10 cent difference between the three grades:

87 = $3.39
89 = $3.49
93 = $3.59

Even more than that here in DC .......

[trophtaker308]

so is the 5w-30 to light for a turbo vehicle.i live in ky and like to use the light weight in the cold months,then switch to 10-20or10-30 in the summer....so many decisions>>????

[winterhalo]

so is the 5w-30 to light for a turbo vehicle.i live in ky and like to use the light weight in the cold months,then switch to 10-20or10-30 in the summer....so many decisions>>????

Good discussion - http://v70r.com/foru...ormula-no-more/

[cruzer555]

Even more than that here in DC .......

Here in CT $3.89 is the lowest in my area, I saw $4.09 on the merritt for regular today... Awful high.

[Che'_Moderator]

Still have my fingers crossed for 10 dollars a gallon.

[B Mac]

I think you should take up a hobby or something if this is what you have time for. Just run 5-30 and call it a day. You're trying to squeeze orange juice out of apples dude...volvos, especially awd volvos, don't get phenominal mpg...but 17/avg seems a bit low as it is.

Still have my fingers crossed for 10 dollars a gallon.

Right? Same here....can't friggin wait. We can't even fill the tank on our express trucks at work because the pumps stop us at $75 and sometimes $100.

[Che'_Moderator]

I think you should take up a hobby or something if this is what you have time for. Just run 5-30 and call it a day. You're trying to squeeze orange juice out of apples dude...volvos, especially awd volvos, don't get phenominal mpg...but 17/avg seems a bit low as it is.



Right? Same here....can't friggin wait. We can't even fill the tank on our express trucks at work because the pumps stop us at $75 and sometimes $100.

I filled my truck last week and my stations had no problem letting me pump 340 dollars in fuel. 75 cut off really? That would piss me off if I were filling 300 gallons.