Sorry...ANOTHER Oil Question

monkeyboybongo · Post by **monkeyboybongo** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:09 pm

I've done searches on the forum, read comments and quite frankly I'm mega confused. I am in Germany at the minute and need oil to do a service el pronto. I've got some colleagues coming over next week and I'm thinking of asking them to bring some over as the stuff over here seems mega expensive.

What bargains are there at the minute and can anyone recommend a make/quantity that is stocked at a major outlet like Halfords.

I just don't know which stuff (10W/30 15W30) to go for. THere seems alot of split opinion on this one.

My Bongo has done 113,000 Km.

Decent advice greatly appreciated!

TTFN MBB

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:22 pm

I usually use Halfords semi-synthetic 10W40 (in the copper coloured plastic container). It's £20 for 5 litres. The numbers on oil are I believe to do with how runny the oil is when cold (the first number) and when hot (the second number). Someone can probably give you a more technical response though! I would not use 15Wsomething in the bongo -- but 10W should be fine.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:28 pm

I find the cheapest place for a good range of good quality oil is France.

Auchan, Cora, Carrefour, Norauto, Maxauto, etc all seem to stock a much wider range of diesel engine oils than in the UK and often have special offers like 5l + 2l free which is ideal for the Bongo which needs 6.5 litres.

If they are driving over get them to find a big hypermarket and look on the diesel shelves for some of the oil recommended for cold conditions in the UK, which should be adequate for German conditions.

· For diesel engines in cold (UK) operating temperatures (down to –10C), use API CD 5W/30 engine oil.

nfn · Post by **nfn** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:28 pm

PS -- I just looked at the bongo handbook, which says 10W30 is the right stuff. So 10W40 is fine -- just a little thicker than what Mazda suggest when warm.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:17 pm

I have had the 10w/40 in at the moment and the m.p.g. has gone down

so getting the thinner oil popped in soon

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:58 am

I use Halfords 5/30 semi-synth and the engine seems to run like a sewing machine - well oiled but not draggy. But thats just an impression, can't be sure, but MPG is good and I'm sticking with it

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:46 pm

cheers Mike will get Halfords next time

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:57 pm

they had it on offer when I was there not long ago. Minf you that justs means they bump the price up artificially before taking x % off it. It was about £16 for 5 litre I think. I then took back the 15/40 to my local factor, didn't ask for cashback just credit, and bought 5/30 semi-synth from them tthat I expect is just as good and cost more like £12 for 5 litre. So I don't think you need be religious about Halfords, just the viscosity and spec (particularly the former I suspect). I'll let you know if I'm wrong in 6 months when I try the other stuff!

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:23 pm

Read my beautifully written

Lubricants fact sheet in the Members Area and all will be revealed. Don't waste you money on semi-synthetic or synthetic at that mileage.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:36 pm

Grovelling apologies Mr Lambert, I had meant to make reference to your esteemed self in my last post but my fingers gave out first. I did manage to gasp out that the viscosity was probably more important than semi-synth as an oblique reference to your expertise. I hope I've got that right. For me, it was 5/30 with semi-synth whether I liked it or not as it was the only 5/30 in town. As such I reckoned it wouldn't do any harm. Hope you are well.

Move along now please ladies and gentlemen

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:51 pm

As the claimed benefit of Synthetic and S/synthetic oils is longer retention of viscosity would use of a good quality synthetic or s/synthetic oil permit longer oil change intervals?

i.e. for a change immediately before an extended continental trip for instance - to allow the whole trip to be undertaken with needing another change?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:00 pm

scanner wrote:As the claimed benefit of Synthetic and S/synthetic oils is longer retention of viscosity would use of a good quality synthetic or s/synthetic oil permit longer oil change intervals?

i.e. for a change immediately before an extended continental trip for instance - to allow the whole trip to be undertaken with needing another change?

Didn't know that scanner, but I've certainly been struck by how my engine still sounds like a sewing machine even when I over-run approved oil change intervals. Hmmm

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:55 pm

If one is doing more than the recommended (twixt oil changes) 3000 miles on a trip and therefore it would be difficult to do an oil change, then you supposition re prolonged viscosity retention is correct.
The only reason I say don't waste your money on Semi-S or S oils (if your engine is over 25k miles) is because if you are using them to preclude wear takinging place, then after 25k-ish miles the wear has already started taking place.
I have always been a believer in frequent oil changes, better to have the C**P out of the engine than sloshing around in suspension.

monkeyboybongo · Post by **monkeyboybongo** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:59 pm

The lads at work have come up trumps. £10 litres for 33 quid. When I get my sticky mits on them I will reveal spec and motorfactors bought from. Somewhere in Lincoln I believe.

TTFN

MBB