Hello all, I'm in the process of purchasing a Maserati Levante Trofeo that has the 3.8 V8 twin turbo Ferrari engine, and I would really appreciate some advice on what oil to use. The manual indicates 5W40 Shell Helix Ultra but, according to Bob's advice, an oil tat lubricates better when the engine is stone cold is better, right? So should I try a 0W40? Thank you!
Best oil for 3.8 V8 twin turbo Ferrari engine
- Thread starter RUDA
- Start date
A 0W40 is only better than a 5W40 for extreme cold temperature (-30 deg) starting. Unless your going to run your Maserati in that kind of extreme cold weather, I would stay with the manual's recommended 5W40.
Nice car BTW.
Nice car BTW.
FYI. I believe that's the filter location from the real hot place. No matter what you do be ready to clean up a huge oil spill. No amount of rags will help.
Had to look this up since I wondered what the model was.
Holy depreciation Batman!
Anyway, I'd see no reason not to use the recommended 5W-40. Doubt that a 0W-xx would be a significant improvement unless you're planning an arctic road trip.
We do have one member here (don't think he's banned) who'd tell you to put 0W-20 in it, although that would be advisable if and only if you never run it long or hard.
Holy depreciation Batman!
Anyway, I'd see no reason not to use the recommended 5W-40. Doubt that a 0W-xx would be a significant improvement unless you're planning an arctic road trip.
We do have one member here (don't think he's banned) who'd tell you to put 0W-20 in it, although that would be advisable if and only if you never run it long or hard.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I ran 5W40 in an environment where the temperature reached -42c one night.
Location?
Use Shell Helix 5W40. It is an exceptional oil.
A 0W-40, 5W-40, 10W-40, 20W-40, straight 40 grade oil all have the same viscosity at your normal fully warmed up operating temperature. And it takes a good 15 to 20 minutes for your motor oil temperature to get there (even though your water temperature gets up in a few minutes).
The starting thickness of those above oils in sunny south Florida is vastly different however. It is thick, often too thick as many cars limit the engine RPM until the oil temperature is higher. You should notice your oil pressure at idle is much higher during the first few minutes. It settles down when the oil is at full operating temperature. There is an oil over pressure valve that prevents the oil pressure from being too high and it kicks in sooner with a 10W-40 than a 0W-40. As such you will have more flow of oil during the 15 minute warm up period if you use a 0W-40 oil.
We previously used 20W-, then 10W- and now 5W- oils but the latest recommendations for a lot of cars is a 0W- oil. There is a reason for this trend. I always recommend a quality 0W- oil in whatever grade you think is best for your application.
ali
PS: In my experience, Shell Helix Ultra oils lose viscosity very fast in high performance engines. I would not use it. 'Nothing wrong with your basic Mobil 1 oil such as their 0W-40.
The starting thickness of those above oils in sunny south Florida is vastly different however. It is thick, often too thick as many cars limit the engine RPM until the oil temperature is higher. You should notice your oil pressure at idle is much higher during the first few minutes. It settles down when the oil is at full operating temperature. There is an oil over pressure valve that prevents the oil pressure from being too high and it kicks in sooner with a 10W-40 than a 0W-40. As such you will have more flow of oil during the 15 minute warm up period if you use a 0W-40 oil.
We previously used 20W-, then 10W- and now 5W- oils but the latest recommendations for a lot of cars is a 0W- oil. There is a reason for this trend. I always recommend a quality 0W- oil in whatever grade you think is best for your application.
ali
PS: In my experience, Shell Helix Ultra oils lose viscosity very fast in high performance engines. I would not use it. 'Nothing wrong with your basic Mobil 1 oil such as their 0W-40.
HPL Euro 5w40 would top my list of recommendations.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I am trying to figure put what this has to do with Ferrari? Did you use those oils in Ferrari engine? In which engines Shell Helix loses viscosity?
He did a huge oil test using a Ferrari.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Ok this engine? Is there a link to UOA?
I've had numerous Lamborghini and Ferrari cars including the Enzo. Most recently the 812 Superfast. No direct experience in your engine but my statements stand.
ali
ali
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
In sunny Florida there is literally no difference between KV40 in 0W40 and 5W40. For example Mobil1 0W40 has KV40 of 78.3cst, while 5W40 has 81cst. Literally, depending on the batch, they could end up the same when you buy it.
The difference will be in extreme cold, let's say here in CO in the Gunnison basin, where temperatures can drop easily below -30. Then, there is obvious difference.
In addition, all things being equal, base stocks, etc. 5W40 will be more shear stable. For example, Motul 300V 0W40 and 5W40 have pretty much the same composition, and 5W40 will be more shear stable.
I mean, it does not matter what car it is, the physical properties of an oil don't change just because it is a Ferrari.
Thanks all for the amazing advice, much appreciated! Following are answers to the various questions/comments asked:
- carviewsonic: yes it is a nice car, thank you
- Pablo: I live just outside Rome, so mediterranean climate. The oil capaciti is 8.3 liters
- Chris142: do you mean that the oil fliter is very difficult to change?
- fdcg27: yes, Jaguar and Maserati are rated as having the highest depreciation. Partly the reason why I bought one, I like the idea of paying 55k for a car originally worth 160k
- AEHaas: that is exactly what I was thinking after carefully reading Bob's advice - a 0W will lubricate better when the engine is stone cold (whatever the outside temperature) and, seeing that 90% of the wear of an engine happens while its warming up, the better its lubricated as soon as its started, the better.
Just out of interest, what are the downsides and potential risks of using a 0W instead of 5W?
Thanks again All
- carviewsonic: yes it is a nice car, thank you
- Pablo: I live just outside Rome, so mediterranean climate. The oil capaciti is 8.3 liters
- Chris142: do you mean that the oil fliter is very difficult to change?
- fdcg27: yes, Jaguar and Maserati are rated as having the highest depreciation. Partly the reason why I bought one, I like the idea of paying 55k for a car originally worth 160k
- AEHaas: that is exactly what I was thinking after carefully reading Bob's advice - a 0W will lubricate better when the engine is stone cold (whatever the outside temperature) and, seeing that 90% of the wear of an engine happens while its warming up, the better its lubricated as soon as its started, the better.
Just out of interest, what are the downsides and potential risks of using a 0W instead of 5W?
Thanks again All
With that capacity and climate and not driving like a progeny of Enzo - a good synthetic 5W-40 or even 10W-40 will be just fine.
No it won't lubricate any different. It will be guaranteed to pump at a temperature below -35 or so, but that's it. Above that temperature there is zero guarantee that an oil with a 0W winter rating will be any thinner than the same grade above that temperature.
Unless you are starting the vehicle at temperatures of -30 or below then ignore the winter rating. It is irrelevant here.
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Such a difficult concept sometimes.
A good European rated (ACEA A3/B4) 5W40 synthetic is perfect, but I you decided on a 0W40 synthetic instead that would still work fine.
Me, I would select one that also carries Porsche A40, as that is a rigorous test series.
Me, I would select one that also carries Porsche A40, as that is a rigorous test series.
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