Any oil grade recommendations for my '85 740 GLE (non-turbo)with 227,500 miles? I just visited the local Schucks and they recommended 20W-50, but I'm just concerned about such a drastic switch (from my usual 10-30)? Thanks for any advice.
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I've been using Shell Rotella T 15W40 in my non-turbo (~235K mi) for about 12K mi and it seems to really like it. Oil consumption is less then a L (quart) every 5K km (3K mi) and it runs very well. I use Amsoil 10W40 in my turbo, but I don't in the non-turbo because I'm afraid it would cause leaking problems. Oh, the Volvo manual says 15W40 is acceptable for some conditions too.
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Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 290K km and '91 745 NA, 377K km.

All my cars ( chevy, ford, volvo)have over 200K on them. I still use 10-40 in all of them.
These engines are all still untouched as far as the Block and Heads are concerned.
Unless you are blowing Blue smoke from a real loose engine I say stick with what you've been using.

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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

15W-40 is an excellent, inexpensive, clean grade for a high miler

Oil makers generally recommend thicker grade oils because they assume most vehicles with high miles and of a certain age will have oil consumption issues.
Volvo cars generally don't have that problem though, so it's safe to basically keep using what the manual recommends until you do start getting consumption issues.

Personally, I use a Penrite Semi Synthetic 10W50, it works very well in my 2 700 turbos.
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My 85 760Ti, and her name is Veronica...

Thanks, that makes very good sense (I forgot to mention this guy drove a high mileage Corvette)! I must be doing something right all these years, since I'm only burning approx. 1/2 quart every 3,000 miles. I will stick with manual recommendations for now and hopefully drive another 227k.
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My 85 740GLE is Ruby (wish I had the Ti)...

No need to change anything. You are doing fine.