Sorry for being wordy but I wanted you to know all the specifics that would help. When I comes to oil my knowledge is very minimal other than pour it in up to the line on the stick and change it every 3000 miles.
As many have read I'm getting a new engine next week and planning on using synthetics. FYI It is a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder Turbo, Iron Block single over head cam mounted in an aluminum head.
Here is what is going on, the owners manual says use 10W30 and change every 5000 miles. OK, since I'm going to a synthetic it will not cost any more than the 3000 mile oil changes that I was doing with the dino. Now the questions,
I understand from the dealer that Volvo doesn't recommend the original 600 to 1200 break-in mile oil change any more but continue on to 5000 miles. Any thoughts on a better way?
Should I start with a good dino or a synthetic for the break-in? What is a good break-in procedure with synthetic oil and Volvo's excellent Mann oil filter?
Which oil is the better way to go? Which base and why you think it is best. The car is primary used for work which is three miles each way. Most of the time the oil temperature gauge doesn't move off the cold side post(120 degrees)when going to and from work. Water temp gets to operating temp about half way through the trip. This is the way the car is driven 4 or 5 days a week. The stainless steel dip stick gets rusty at the handle end. When the oil does get up to temp it does not get above 180 degrees and normal has been in the 170 range with the factory oil cooler. The only time I saw it hit 200 was when I was in bumper to bumper traffic and 95 plus degrees temperature with the AC on in south Florida in the August.
I hope I gave you enough info to get a good idea which oil to go with.