When we picked up our car at the factory, the rep told us that they use part synthetic oil in the V70. We are coming up to our first service and when I made the appointment, I mentioned using part syn when they did the oil change. The service rep said that they use regular oil in the V70. In fact, while he had heard of all synthetic oil, he had never heard of part syn. Didn't enhance my opinion of his qualifications. Anyhow, my question is: what should go into the V70? The owners manual does not address type of oil, just weight. I did switch over to part syn for our prior 940 Turbo; I did the oil change myself then and may do it again with the V70 after the warranty period. BTW, it is not my intent with this posting to trigger a dialog on the pros and cons of syn vs regular oil. I just want to know if there is a Volvo recommended oil type for the V70. -- Njord I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. From Sea-Fever by John Masefield
I bought my 1998 V70 T5 at 6 moths old, as an ex demonstrator, and want to keep it going for at least 10 years.It is serviced by a Dorset UK main dealer who, if not questioned, would use a semi-synthetic engine oil at regular services. I noticed that this group had many postings a while back on the merits of fully synthetic for long tubo bearing life and my Volvo dealer was offering Mobil - 1 (fully synthetic 0W30) as an option. So now I always specify fully synthetic. Clearly the oil market is a cut-throat business, as the brand of oil that the dealer uses changes very frequenty. I see that BP Visco 7000 was one they used. At the last service it was Castrol SLX (0W30) at a cost (just for the oil) of 52.20 UK Pounds, or $84.00 in units that more folk might appreciate. I also change the oil& filter (and washer) at intermediate, 6 month, intervals and use Mobil - 1. Is it all worth it? Time will tell I guess. Just one other point - I have seen frequent postings on the wisdom of allowing the engine to idle for a minute or so before switching off after high-speed running. Apparently it allows the turbo to cool down so that the oil does not burn onto the bearings which can become very hot just after the coolong ceases. I try to remember to do this. It is presumably more significant should you decide to continue using non-synthetic oil. Geoff Williams - Dorset - UK
There is no Volvo recommended oil. There are international standards for oil and Volvo uses these. Volvo recognizes all oils that meet the standards they specify. Personally I like the Pennzoil Turbo oil: PZL TURBO S SAE 10W-40 SEMI - SYNTHETIC TECHNOLOGY MOTOR OIL. I discovered it in a round about way. In air cooled garden tractor engines, the engine temperatures get quite hot and the oils turn into a tar like substance. I found if I use motorcycle air-cooled engine oil this problem doesn't occur. Another good oil is the Pennzoil Turbo oil. Since I am not sure if motorcycle oil is speced for Volvos and I know that the Pennzoil Turbo oil is, I recommend the Turbo oil. I think Volvo uses Castrol Syntec Blend. That should be very good also. Of course synthetic oils work, but that is expensive overkill. I drive my Volvos 200k miles and never burn any oil or have any maintenance issues using regular oils.
Thanks to all who responded. I guess there is no official standard type oil, short of what the owner's manual says about using syn oil if the vehicle is subject to unusual stresses, despite what the factory in Göteborg told me. FWIW, the factory also told me that it is not necessary to cool down the turbo in the newer Volvos. I'm not sure what newer means, since we were referring specifically to my 2002 V70. I know the cool down was recommended for my prior 1991 940 Turbo. -- Njord I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. From Sea-Fever by John Masefield "
I would use full syn after the first oil change. Part syn has been around for years now, you may want to ask the service rep if he heard that Ford bought Volvo too.
