Castrol Euro 5W40 | 4567 mi | '13 Volvo S80 3.2

[himemsys]

This run had fewer miles and shorter trips. Oil was run over 6 months. No oil added. Pretty much on the same point it was on the dipstick when I changed the oil. Maybe the shorter trips led to the slightly higher fuel dilution...

Silicon is still at a good level. Air filter has been in for over 18k miles. It's staying in another 6 months. I'll look for rising silicon at next UOA and change the filter if that happens.

Viscosity dropped almost 2 full centistokes. Maybe the 1.7% fuel had a little to do with it, but maybe this engine also shears the oil too.

Plenty of TBN left. The oil probably could've gone past 10k no problem based on the TBN and oxidation only climbing 5 pts.

The virgin analysis for this oil is in the BL line.

Sample#1 was unknown dealer oil.
Sample#2 was Castrol Euro 5W30 API SL
Sample#3 was Castrol Euro 5W40 (same as current oil).

 

[shortyb]

Looks like the 5W-40 is the SP formula, high magnesium, lower calcium. Some speculation that this formula is lower in PAO and not quite as "strong" as the SN formula or even the 0W-40 version. However, I'd say it's a combination of the short trips, engine design, and fuel that has caused the drop in visc. more than oil formulation. It has a fairly high HTHS, so the oil pretty stout. I wouldn't keep it in there much past 6K-7K with present driving conditions as the oxidation is getting close to the end comfort level for me, even with virtually no water in the sample.

 

[fantastic]

Agree fuel decreased viscosity a bit but still nothing major & good buffer from xw-30. Not saying the 30 didn't do well as it did too. #1 (not BS) shows you what the same 1.7% fuel does to a 30 grade (I'm assuming it was a 30). Si looks good. Ox still good. You can also see that #2 still did well on viscosity with almost double the miles albeit with slightly less fuel. Good run & another sample for our engines to see how they tick.

 

[himemsys]

Looks like the 5W-40 is the SP formula, high magnesium, lower calcium.

Yep! I'm tired of 3 different oils for 3 different cars. This oil meets the specs for all 3 of my cars.

I wouldn't keep it in there much past 6K-7K with present driving conditions as the oxidation is getting close to the end comfort level for me

Oil Analyzers considers baseline +17 to be normal for oils. I'm only at baseline +5, so I'm very comfortable with the levels.

Good run & another sample for our engines to see how they tick.

Heck yeah! It's a great engine, IMO!