Non HDEO 15w-40

[Adamwest]

For my 1988 Volvo 240, the manual calls for 15w40 if the car will be subjected to use that is very hard on the car such as towing or when in extreme heat. I was also looking at a Dodge Dakota manual from 1989 and it said that 10w-40 was not recommended for that engine. Additionally, I have heard that other makers such as GM have said not to use that weight.

My question is, if I don't want to use HDEO, should I just attempt to get close to a 15w40 by blending equally 10w30 and 20w-50? Or is the 10w-40 thing pretty much a problem that no longer applies with today's oil? Are there automotive grades of 15w40? So many questions...

 

[Boomer]

I think the 10W-40 thing was caused by high levels of degrable VI additive. Trying back then to go 30 wt points gave an oil that caused a lot of engine deposits. I think with today's oils, this may be a fairly moot point.

 

[simple_gifts]

Why avoid an HDEO; the ones I've used are gas rated also.

 

[FrankN4]

If you don't want to use synthetic, Valvoline Durablend 15w40 is a good choice as it has the FM package that most HDEO's don't and is primarily for gas engines, SM, ILSAC GF-4.

 

[crinkles]

not sure if a 15w40 would be able to be ILSAC GF4 but I could be wrong

 

[Adamwest]

The only thing with HDEO is that it really limits one's options. I was thinking about wanting to try Maxlife.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Adamwest
The only thing with HDEO is that it really limits one's options. I was thinking about wanting to try Maxlife.


Why?

M1 TDT is readily available at Walmart. And it's better than Maxlife.

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: Adamwest
For my 1988 Volvo 240, the manual calls for 15w40 if the car will be subjected to use that is very hard on the car such as towing or when in extreme heat. I was also looking at a Dodge Dakota manual from 1989 and it said that 10w-40 was not recommended for that engine. Additionally, I have heard that other makers such as GM have said not to use that weight.

My question is, if I don't want to use HDEO, should I just attempt to get close to a 15w40 by blending equally 10w30 and 20w-50? Or is the 10w-40 thing pretty much a problem that no longer applies with today's oil? Are there automotive grades of 15w40? So many questions...





motor oil specifications have made great improvements over the past 2 decades, so much so that what factory recommended 2-decades ago may not be what you shall rigidly abide by (or preach like a bible).

Instead, take it as a good starting point and research what's currently available under current standards that will meet your car's needs. Afterall: a Volvo 240 4-banger isn't that hard on oil to begin with so you may consider some other viable options such as 10 (or5)W30 HM oil with slightly higher viscosity or similar.

Q.

 

[FrankN4]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
not sure if a 15w40 would be able to be ILSAC GF4 but I could be wrong


The way it was worded, it meets the engine protection and cat converter protection of GF-4 but not the fuel economy standards.

 

[TallPaul]

Yep, Valvoline Durablend comes in 15w40. I don't see any problem mixing 50/50 10w30 and 20w50, and then you could use Maxlife. But with your hard use I would want the extra zddp of a HDMO or could get Valvoline VR1 (mix 10w30 w 20w50 again).

 

[Shannow]

There's all sorts of non HDEO 15w40s down here.

Valvoline engine armour, durablend, Mobil have some.

 

[Norm Olt]

Tall Paul: as a certified Valvoline nut, please opine on my thread (on this board) about "Finding" a case of MaxLife 20W-50 and mixing it 50/50 with Synpower.

Please?

Thanks!

 

[addyguy]

Modern 10w-40 are NOT the 10W-40's of the past.

10W-40 Maxlife would be agreat oil to use....

 

[FrankN4]

I have an acquaintance that runs his car and all his power equipment on a mix of 3 quarts MaxLife 10W-40 and 2 quarts of Synpower 10w30. He had me check it out on the Rohmax calculator. Looks really good on the Rhomax and the other specks.

40C cSt........86.97
100C cSt.......13.37
VI...............156
HTHS............3.34 (probably a litle better)
ZINC.............838
PHOS.............760
MOLY.............180
SA..............0.84
NOACK........... TBN..............8.0

I would 'GUESS" your 50/50 mix would have a 100C OF ABOUT 14.5, a 40C of about1 106, VI around 141, HTHS of about 3.7, moly of 150, NOACK of around <14 and everything else close to the same.

 

[Adamwest]

Thanks for the input. It's not that I want to mix or come up with my own Frankenblend out of curiosity or rebellion, it is really more of an issue with staying within the manufacture's guidelines. I also had been wondering if the 10w-40 avoidance advice still held, and it looks like that might be a thing of the past.

 

[ac_tc]

The "red" volvos runs great on hdeo or almost any oil
for that fact...That engines dates back to the B-18 designed in the late 50´s or so. The only real development was made in early 70´s when it became an ohc engine othervis its basically an B-18.Its lika a small block chevy or a slant six. They do however last longer if they are given good care...