No synthetic for break-in?

[Someone]

I've been reading a few articles on the net and it appears that
gasoline engine should be break-in using non-synthetic oil.

Is this your opinion and/or experience?

Thanks.

 

[James Sweet]

I've been reading a few articles on the net and it appears that
gasoline engine should be break-in using non-synthetic oil.

Is this your opinion and/or experience?

Thanks.

It's pretty hard to say definitively either way, however I would
probably use regular oil for the breakin, it's cheaper anyway. That
said, breakin isn't nearly as critical these days as it once was. Modern
machining tolerances are much higher than they were in the old days.

 

[mjc13]

It's pretty hard to say definitively either way, however I would
probably use regular oil for the breakin, it's cheaper anyway. That
said, breakin isn't nearly as critical these days as it once was. Modern
machining tolerances are much higher than they were in the old days.

A high quality non-synthetic oil is best for breakin. Those who
worry about it should use something like Castrol GTX for reassurance.

 

[Roadie]

I've been reading a few articles on the net and it appears that
gasoline engine should be break-in using non-synthetic oil.

Is this your opinion and/or experience?

Thanks.

Why are you relying on the opinions of others who had nothing to do
with the design of that car. A far more reliable source of
information is the owners manual.

 

[Stephen Henning]

Why are you relying on the opinions of others who had nothing to do
with the design of that car. A far more reliable source of
information is the owners manual.

The 2008 XC70 Manual has absolutely no recommendation about breaking in,
running in, or any other special precautions. It has been that way for
many years.

Volvos, like most better cars, are broken it at the factory. Volvo has
been doing this for decades. Hence, the first oil change is the normal
one at 7,500. The only precaution I have been given by delivery agents
for Volvos is to vary the speed when the car is first driven. Don't get
on the Autobahn and drive at one speed for hour after hour. Change it up.

Here is what the manual does say:

"The oil level should be checked every time the vehicle is refueled.
This is especially important during the period up to the first scheduled
maintenance service."

"Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide
superior fuel economy and engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer
for recommendations on premium or synthetic oils."

"Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal
maintenance services. This oil is only used at customer request, at
additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer."

"Synthetic oils meeting SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40 and complying with oil
quality requirements are recommended for driving in areas of sustained
temperature extremes (hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long
distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas."

To answer the original question: Actually, every person I know breaks
in their car with the oil that is in it when they buy it. There never
is a recommendation of a breakin oil. It is already in the car. And
Volvos never come with synthetic oil from the factory.

 

[Roadie]

The 2008 XC70 Manual has absolutely no recommendation about breaking in,
running in, or any other special precautions.  It has been that way for
many years.

Volvos, like most better cars, are broken it at the factory.  Volvo has
been doing this for decades.  Hence, the first oil change is the normal
one at 7,500.  The only precaution I have been given by delivery agents
for Volvos is to vary the speed when the car is first driven.  Don't get
on the Autobahn and drive at one speed for hour after hour. Change it up.

Here is what the manual does say:

"The oil level should be checked every time the vehicle is refueled.
This is especially important during the period up to the first scheduled
maintenance service."

"Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide
superior fuel economy and engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer
for recommendations on premium or synthetic oils."

"Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal
maintenance services. This oil is only used at customer request, at
additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer."

"Synthetic oils meeting SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40 and complying with oil
quality requirements are recommended for driving in areas of sustained
temperature extremes (hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long
distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas."

To answer the original question:  Actually, every person I know breaks
in their car with the oil that is in it when they buy it.  There never
is a recommendation of a breakin oil. It is already in the car.  And
Volvos never come with synthetic oil from the factory.
--
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA, USA
    Owned '67,'68,'71,'74,'79,'81,'87,'93,'95 & '01 Volvos.
    The '67,'74,'79,'87,'95 and '01 through European Delivery.
 http://rhodyman.net/homevo.html

The only Volvo with a break-in recommendation that I've owned was a
1984 240D. All of the others, right up to the 2004 V70 had no break-
in recommendation.

 

[mjc13]

The only Volvo with a break-in recommendation that I've owned was a
1984 240D. All of the others, right up to the 2004 V70 had no break-
in recommendation.

Actually, guys, the recommendation to vary the speed *is* the
break-in recommendation. It's to let the rings seat properly. My 1986
Civic Si had the same instructions, plus a speed limit of I think 60mph
for the first hundred miles or so. Volvo does *most of* the breaking in
at the factory.

 

[James Sweet]

Actually, guys, the recommendation to vary the speed *is* the
break-in recommendation. It's to let the rings seat properly. My 1986
Civic Si had the same instructions, plus a speed limit of I think 60mph
for the first hundred miles or so. Volvo does *most of* the breaking in
at the factory.

It's not so much broken in at the factory, as the machining tolerances
are such these days that very little break in is required.

 

[mjc13]

It's not so much broken in at the factory, as the machining tolerances
are such these days that very little break in is required.

Back in the day Volvo used to put the iron red engine blocks outside
in their 'back yard' to age them a few months before machining them. I
guess it resulted in better tolerances.

 

[Stephen Henning]

It's not so much broken in at the factory, as the machining tolerances
are such these days that very little break in is required.

You are saying that in the old days when tolerances were much looser the
break-in was important and today when the tolerances are much tighter it
isn't. That doesn't compute.

What is true is that Volvo factories and others do have stands now where
they break-in the engines before they are installed in the cars and they
didn't formerly do that. Their sales literature has pictures of these
stands.

So I think the tight tolerance may have forced them to do a break-in
before installing in the vehicles. This also permits engines that prove
defective to be reworked before being installed in a car.