S60 and synthetic oils

I just put Mobil 1 in my '01 s60. The AmsOil I used in my Suzuki
claimed 24000 miles of life, with more frequent filter changes,
but I've been unable to find any stats on Mobil 1, and they
haven't yet answered my email.

Does anyone have experience on how long to keep this oil, and
when to change filters? I do moderate driving in New York. Engine
seems to be tight.


At 98K, I'm going to change the auto tranny oil, also with a
synthetic. But the owner's manual isn't clear on what grade to
use - it only gives a Volvo part number. I'd like to get both oil
and filter at a local store, if they carry them.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Just found their reply. En toto:

Mobil recommends that you take the oil to the high limit
that is stated in your owner's manual or once a year which
ever comes first.

There is no "high limit" in the Volvo manual; it's just 7500
miles, regardless of type of driving. I suspect that a
one-size-fits-all policy is not necessarily the best for
everyone.

pb

 

I have put Mobile1 5W-30 in my 1996 850. I am changing oil and filter twice
a year, October and April. 15W-50 summer, 5W-30 winter. Local garage here in
Canada charges $60 for Mobil1 oil and Mann filter.

 

Do a used oil analysis at 7.5K miles to see how the oil is holding up
and whether it's OK to go longer than that. And in any case, I would
change the oil at least once a year if you don't drive much.

Also, you did not mention if you have a turbo or not. If you do, the
oil changes should be more frequent as turbo engines are harder on oil.

As far as filters, I'd either use OEM (Mann/Mahle I believe) or Mobil 1.

Finally, what oil were you using before that? If it was mineral oil,
you might want to go for just a short interval on your first run of
synthetic as it will start cleaning out all the sludge and dirt left by
the mineral oil so you want to get that out rather fast, say within 2-3K
miles (oil and filter).

Cheers,

Pete

 

Good. I'll have to look into where I can have that done.

Non turbo.

I've got Purolator in it now, and I guess I'll change oil and
filter together.

It was petrol-based; you're advice sounds good. Thanks,

pb

 

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Click on the "Free Test Kit" button on the left.


If you're in need of other oil-related information, check out BITOG
forums at
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi

You might get some useful tips on switching from mineral to synthetic
oil from the people there. Many people there also suggest using AutoRX
for cleaning before switching to synthetic.

Good luck,

Pete

 

A ha. At $20, it would pay for a fleet, perhaps, but not for one
car. Better to put the money into new oil.

These ppl are serious about oil, eh? Thanks much!

pb

 

But maybe you don't need new oil at this time. That's the whole point.
Without a UOA, you'll never know what interval is safe.

Cheers,

Pete

 

So you would keep testing the oil, at $20 a hit, to see when it
broke down, then go by that number for future use?

Paul

 

No. You only need to do the test once, but request the TBN test as well.
Based on the results, Blackstone will tell you what is the safe interval
to go on this oil, lets say 9K miles. From that point on, just keep
changing your oil according to that recommendation. No need to do
another test unless your driving patterns change or you start using a
different type/grade oil.

So basically, after you're done with the cleaning phase/interval, run
the next batch of synth. oil to let's say 7.5K miles. Drain it. Take a
sample while you drain. Send it to Blackstone and see what interval they
recommend for the future based on that sample. That's it.

Or you can just stick with 7.5K mile intervals and forget the analysis.
But I got a feeling from your original post that you wanted to see if
you could go longer than that. I personally run Castrol synth.
(previously M1) at only 5K mile intervals, but that is mainly for two
reasons:
1. my engine is a 1.8 liter turbo with aftermarket programming (more
boost) with a very small sump (3.7 quarts including filter)
2. it takes me almost a year to accumulate that 5K miles, so time is a
factor as well

After that interval, I already had a 1% fuel contamination in the oil -
lots of cold starts, short trips and cold winters will do that to you,
regardless if the oil is synthetic or not. Of course your conditions
and engine are probably different, so there's no way to tell what is a
safe interval unless you test it.

Cheers,

Pete

 

Excellent explanation, thanks very much. I take it they
extrapolate from the test data to determine the theoretical life
of the oil. Seems well worth it, if I decide to keep the car
multiyears (thinking about the G35 lately..).

My goal was indeed to stretch between oil changes. Funny, but the
Mobil 1 has had the effect of bringing some moderate-pitched
sounds out of the engine, like hearing the old valve lifter
clicking. My only other synth experience was Amsoil in a Suzuki
Sport, and there the engine grew quieter, not louder. The Amsoil
seemed to have more body to it also, but IIRC it was 10W/40
rather than this 10w/30. But as it stands now I would tend to go
with other than Mobil 1 next time, and maybe Amsoil again.

Paul

 

Pretty much, yeah. See a sample report here:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001993


Cheers,

Pete

 

Thanks much. Nice report. This will be well worth it if I decide
to keep the car, or perhaps with the next car.

Paul

 

Pete,

How do you analyze oil?

Tim

 

Ask it to lie on the couch and tell you about its childhood.

Sorry! ;-)

Mike

 

You collect a sample and send it to a lab where they determine its
composition. Check the link(s) I provided in my other responses to pb.

Cheers,

Pete