2001 Volvo - ACEA A3/B4 or not?

Pennzoil motor oil
Ed_Flecko

Ed_Flecko

Joined
Dec 1, 2014
Messages
1,446
Location
California
I have a 2001 Volvo S-40 with the 1.9L Turbo motor with 53K original miles. It's a great little car that has spent the majority of its life in the garage, while still being maintained based on the calendar and not the actual mileage. I've had the timing belt replaced, oil and filter changes, brake fluid changed, etc., etc.

My owners manual recommends 5W-30 oil (see attached). I have always used Castrol oil, and I'm looking at the Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 K and the Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 A3/B4 (https://www.castrol.com/en_us/unite...-edge-oils/castrol-edge-euro.html#tab_5W-30 k).

I tend to believe that oils from the same manufacturer with more "Approvals" are better than those that do not. In terms of Approvals, the Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 K has the following approvals: ACEA C3, API SQ, BMW Longlife-04, MB 229.51/ 229.52, OPEL OV 040 1547-D30 / G30, Porsche C30, Renault RN 0700 / RN 0710, VW 504 00/ 507 00. The Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 A3/B4 has the following approvals: ACEA A3/B4, API SL, BMW Longlife-01, MB-Approval 229.5, VW 502 00 / 505 00.

If I understand correctly and "paint with a broad brush", the ACEA A3/B4 is an oil designed with protection and durability in mind, where the ACEA C3 is an oil that prioritizes fuel economy over durability.

I live in Sacramento, California where the lows rarely get below 30 degrees in the winter but can reach 115 degrees in the summer. With a little turbocharged motor, I tend to think the Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 A3/B4 might be the better choice?

Thoughts?

Thank you for your feedback.

Ed

Oil recommendations.webp
 
slacktide_bitog said:
Basically every oil on the shelf today is better than anything that was available 25 years ago :sneaky:
Click to expand...
💯
Those requirements from the owners manual are grossly outdated.
API "SJ"? o_O

Given the turbo, if you want the best protection, Mobil 1 ESP 0w30 would be a great choice for this engine and would far exceed the certifications required from Volvo. Otherwise, as mentioned above, any of the above mentioned oils will be more than adequate.
 
Last edited:
Ed_Flecko said:
If I understand correctly and "paint with a broad brush", the ACEA A3/B4 is an oil designed with protection and durability in mind, where the ACEA C3 is an oil that prioritizes fuel economy over durability.
Click to expand...
No, C3 prioritizes emissions compatibility, the fuel economy will be the same.
Ed_Flecko said:
I live in Sacramento, California where the lows rarely get below 30 degrees in the winter but can reach 115 degrees in the summer. With a little turbocharged motor, I tend to think the Castrol EDGE Euro 5W-30 A3/B4 might be the better choice?

Thoughts?

Thank you for your feedback.

Ed

View attachment 322617
Click to expand...
Yeah, just keep using your Euro oils in your Volvo.
 
Ed_Flecko said:
If I understand correctly and "paint with a broad brush", the ACEA A3/B4 is an oil designed with protection and durability in mind, where the ACEA C3 is an oil that prioritizes fuel economy over durability.
Click to expand...
Definitely ACEA A3/B4 or C3 oil. It's a turbo car and Volvos run hot.

ACEA C3 is emission system friendlier than ACEA A3/B4. It's designed for modern cars with GPF (gasoline particle filter) and DPF (diesel). The protection is pretty sturdy and is not compromised, both oils have HTHS (viscosity at 150°C) of at least 3.5 cP. Meaning if your car burns oil the C3 oil is proffered over the A3/B4 because will be better for your catalyst converter.

If I was you, I would run Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 or Castrol Edge Euro 0W-30. (@edyvw)
 
Japanese said:
Definitely ACEA A3/B4 or C3 oil. It's a turbo car and Volvos run hot.

ACEA C3 is emission system friendlier than ACEA A3/B4. It's designed for modern cars with GPF (gasoline particle filter) and DPF (diesel). The protection is pretty sturdy and is not compromised, both oils have HTHS (viscosity at 150°C) of at least 3.5 cP. Meaning if your car burns oil the C3 oil is proffered over the A3/B4 because will be better for your catalyst converter.

If I was you, I would run Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 or Castrol Edge Euro 0W-30. (@edyvw)
Click to expand...
^This.
Castrol Edge 0W30 A3 is a step up from Castrol Edge 5W30 A3.
ESP definitely over Castrol Edge 5W30 K.
 
Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions!!!

Since many of you know way more than I do about the specifics of motor oil, can someone tell me why most (or all) of you think the Mobil ESP oils are better than the Castrol versions?

Ed
 
Ed_Flecko said:
Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions!!!

Since many of you know way more than I do about the specifics of motor oil, can someone tell me why most (or all) of you think the Mobil ESP oils are better than the Castrol versions?

Ed
Click to expand...
Castrol Edge 5W30K is just Group III stuff.
ESP 0W30 is PAO/GTL/Ester, with some Group III (like all oils).
Castrol Edge 0W30 Euro (A3) is the one you want to go if looking top notch stuff.
Numerous topics in Euro section about this. I posted several times VOA breakdown of ESP 0W30 there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom