it's coming into summer, my engine has 350k km on it, it doesn't leak or burn a drop, i'm more of a dino oil and regular changes sorta guy. i have a couple volvo oem filters in the garage, what do you folx think/recommend ?
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-- '82 245GL, B23E, K-cam, under restoration, 350k km --

What are you using now? It must be working fine for you at 350k km (nearing 220k mi)

My vote is for the recommended 10W30. In BC you should not be in extreme heat so unless you are doing some towing, the regular recommended oil will be best.

MORMIT
1985 245DL 232,000mi
2002 S40 4,00mi

haven't had the car that long, ended up putting in 10-40w castrol gtx & an oem volvo oil filter.
i do drive it a bit aggressively so i figured some extra protection couldn't hurt =)
--
-- '82 245GL, B23E, K-cam, under restoration, 350k km --

Actually, as noted by a few, many diesel oils are formulated for mixed fleet service. XD-3 is rated CG-4 for diesel, and SJ for gasoline. The diesel rating uses a more severe qualification for turbocharged service, which is why I like it in Volvo turbo motors. Less chance of coking and fewer deposits. Many new formulation gasoline oils do not meet the diesel qualifications as they are different (obviously for soot suspension) and more stringent, and therefore more expensive.
Volvo did recommend 15W40 for, as noted, highway, towing, high temp and so on, and 10W30 for more general service. In my company however, I do not stock 10w30, but 5W30 instead, as most modern cars specify that for fuel economy reasons. So I stock only two viscosities.
I agree that oils are a very subjective topic, with lots of differing opinions. Brand this and that, lots of dogma. But I use this oil in engines I warranty for customers, which is what I have to do. Delo 400, and many others are just as good. I am more concerned with the API service classification than brand. After all my years doing this, I have heard just about everything.....

You ask a single question that typically results in a multitude of opinions, answers, arguments and endless discussions leading nowhere. You will never know what is the best oil until the car retires and then you still won't know for sure. There is nothing unusual about your climate, your car is still just in middle age with 218 K miles so why not just use what Volvo recommend, good old 10w30?
--
David Hunter

In my own 740T and my customer cars I use Esso (Exxon) XD-3 15W-40 diesel engine oil. Pricey for dino oil, but it keeps the engine really clean, and is a good all-round viscosity for the west coast. In my other car, which shall remain nameless, I use Mobil 1 5W-30, the grade the factory recommends.

I hate to be argumentative, but.....why on earth would anyone use a "heavy duty" diesel oil in a gas engine?

I have to admit that I don't know much about Exxon's "XD-3," but most diesel motor oils are not formulated to meet the lube requirements of a gas motor. IIRC, there are two different rating systems for gas oil and diesel oil.

Also..you state that you follow the mfg's recommendation re: oil in your other, "nameless" vehicle. Have you read the 740 owner's manual? Volvo does not recommend 10w30 under "normal conditions" and recommends 15w40 only for "severe duty" conditions, e.g. towing, excessive idling, mountain driving, and so forth.

So, why the heavy, diesel oil? Just curious. ;-)

-=Bob=-

Actually, I HAVE read my 740 owners manual; it very clearly allows 15W/40 for temperatures above -15 C, and requires it above 40 C.
According to the chart, I could almost never use 5W/30 in my climate, but 15W/40 would always be appropriate, occasinally required.
I guess "normal" is open to interpretation; here 10W/30 wold definitely be "normal", as would 15W/40.

Although there are two different API ratings - C* are for diesels and S* are for gasoline - there are oils that meet both grades. Chevron Delo 400, Shell Rotella T, and Mobil Delvac are amongst those, and are also known as "universal oils" and "million mile oils". Their properties are closer to those of synthetic oil than convention oils.

15W-40 is also noted for usage in hotter climates.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

"Volvo does not recommend 10w30 under "normal conditions" and recommends 15w40 only for "severe duty" conditions, e.g. towing, excessive idling, mountain driving, and so forth."

Volvo recommends 10w30 under "normal conditions" and recommends 15w40 only for "severe duty" conditions, e.g. towing, excessive idling, mountain driving, and so forth.

-=Bob=-
(still trying to remember to read his messages before hiting "submit")

I believe that 15W-40 oil(the heavy duty oil Volvo recommends) is the diesel oil and at least the name brands do meet or exceed the gas requirements.I too used 15W-40 Shell Rotella in my turbos and N/A cars with excellent results and no adverse results.Sometimes one has to look at the enviroment and then choose an oil.E.g. I bet you that in the middle of the summer in the middle of the desert an 20W-50 oil will outperform a 13W-30.Then again Christmas at the North Pole would call for 0W-20 synthetic.Get the ideea ?