If you change the oil less than every 5000 miles, and you are not towing a trailer or doing some other severe service, then a mineral (regular) oil should be more than adequate. Use exactly the grade that your owner's manual recommends for your temperature range. The synthetic is probably better, but the difference in wear characteristics are unlikely to be significant (i.e., other components in the car will disintegrate or fail long before the engine will due to the difference in mineral versus synthetic oil). I recommend the stock Volvo oil filters. Enjoy!

Even of it were tilted forward, you wouldn't get all of the oil out - there is still some in the oil cooler. I change mine on the ground and I have sport suspension, it's a little tight. I use cardboard as a creeper and floor cover.

I use Mobile1 10W30, a Mann filter, and a crush washer. I torque to plug to 26lbs. I also only change the oil twice a year, Spring and Fall. I change the cabin filter in the Fall.

Klaus
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98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)