ruecatinat Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 Between my dad and I we've had or still own a 97 N/A, a 99 N/A, 2 x 2000 N/As, a 2005 N/A and a 2007 N/A Every car but the 1999 and 1997 spec 5W30 - the 97 calling for 10W40 or 5W40 and the 99 calling for 10W30... Anyone know the reasoning behind this? I'm planning on using a full synth 5W40 on the 99 like I do for the 2000 and 2005...is there anything wrong with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxpin Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 What climate do you live in? (temperature range) I had Autozone try to push me into buying 5W-30 and I live in a temperature variation of 40-115deg. That's flat out the wrong oil to use. I had to take a viscosity chart into them to show them they are pushing the wrong oil for our climate. So, depending on what your temp range is where you live and the Volvo recommended oil for that temp should determine what you are putting in your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruecatinat Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 1 hour ago, boxpin said: What climate do you live in? (temperature range) I had Autozone try to push me into buying 5W-30 and I live in a temperature variation of 40-115deg. That's flat out the wrong oil to use. I had to take a viscosity chart into them to show them they are pushing the wrong oil for our climate. So, depending on what your temp range is where you live and the Volvo recommended oil for that temp should determine what you are putting in your car. Toronto area in Canada Temperatures ranging from -22 up to 90 F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 FWIW, I run (syn) 10w30, and that's generally good from about 0 degrees up to about 100 degrees; it treated me well up to 200k+ miles and then the head gasket went, which wasn't the oil's fault. If I do an oil change in December, I might run 5w30 but I'm not sure if that's ever happened. I think you'd be fairly safe with either, but for no scientific reason I feel better with the 10w30 in the summer time, I think there are more days above 80 (the limit for 5w30) than below 0 here. I don't think the weather in Toronto is much different than MI is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruecatinat Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 12 minutes ago, mattsk8 said: FWIW, I run (syn) 10w30, and that's generally good from about 0 degrees up to about 100 degrees; it treated me well up to 200k+ miles and then the head gasket went, which wasn't the oil's fault. If I do an oil change in December, I might run 5w30 but I'm not sure if that's ever happened. I think you'd be fairly safe with either, but for no scientific reason I feel better with the 10w30 in the summer time, I think there are more days above 80 (the limit for 5w30) than below 0 here. I don't think the weather in Toronto is much different than MI is it? Toronto weather isn't too different it seems I initially started running 5W40 because I came across the Amsoil European Blend which was priced reasonably and easily available. The chart is proof positive 5W40 is ideal - we run across a few weeks where that extra protection at -30/-22 is required and also, on the flip side, where the 40/104 is good to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsk8 Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 1 minute ago, ruecatinat said: Toronto weather isn't too different it seems I initially started running 5W40 because I came across the Amsoil European Blend which was priced reasonably and easily available. The chart is proof positive 5W40 is ideal - we run across a few weeks where that extra protection at -30/-22 is required and also, on the flip side, where the 40/104 is good to have. I agree about the 5w40, but it's tough to find around here, most parts stores don't have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruecatinat Posted March 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 I use this stuff: http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil-efm/?code=EFMQT-EA The distributor is a quick stop on my way into the office so it works out quite well for me - I buy it in bulk for the 2000 and 2005 and after this thread plan to put my 99 on the list as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyhyde Posted March 29, 2016 Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 Sorry, this doesn't really answer your question but thought I'd give a Volvo enthusiasts "recommend"..... I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 European Formula synthetic for the last several oil changes. $25 for 5 quart jug from Wally World. Seems to work great. Supposed to be a bit different than their other synthetics, more additives or something. You'll have to do the reading if interested. Holds up well in warmer temps (Texas). 10W-30 is good for winter use. I typically add a little Marvel Mystery Oil prior to an oil change. After having a few Volvo's with noisy lifters (which MMO fixed), I am a convert. Seems to be a mild cleaner and doesn't do anything harmful to the rubber seals as far as I can determine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruecatinat Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 On 3/29/2016 at 11:24 PM, troyhyde said: Sorry, this doesn't really answer your question but thought I'd give a Volvo enthusiasts "recommend"..... I've been using Mobil 1 0W-40 European Formula synthetic for the last several oil changes. $25 for 5 quart jug from Wally World. Seems to work great. Supposed to be a bit different than their other synthetics, more additives or something. You'll have to do the reading if interested. Holds up well in warmer temps (Texas). 10W-30 is good for winter use. I typically add a little Marvel Mystery Oil prior to an oil change. After having a few Volvo's with noisy lifters (which MMO fixed), I am a convert. Seems to be a mild cleaner and doesn't do anything harmful to the rubber seals as far as I can determine. Have yet to try it - in Canada this stuff is expensive. Used it on my 06' BMW 325i, a car very picky about it's oil, and for the cost I'd run Castrol 0W-30 ('German Castrol') Are you using it on an N/A or turbo Volvo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyhyde Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 I'm using it in turbo cars, several of which see pretty aggressive driving... I was at Costco today and they had a bunch of Mobil 1 pallets, might be something good on sale there this month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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