Oil for the Alcan!

[TurboWagon]

Hi all,

I've got a 2000 Volvo V70XC that I'll be driving from San Diego, California to Anchorage, Alaska, through Canada in a few weeks! It'll be about 98% highway driving.

Car has 167,000 miles and is in great shape. I've been running Mobil 1 10W-40 High Mileage for the last couple OCIs. The engine doesn't burn oil, but the turbo leaks a little... and does so a lot more with a xW-30 compared to an xW-40.

I'd like to change the oil once before leaving and keep it for the entire round-trip, approximately 9000 miles (and I might spring for a used oil analysis after!). I do like the 40 weight + "high mileage" protection for the turbo and to help keep seals happy. It would be nice to run a xW-30 weight I think, where the negligible MPG increase actually might make a difference over this sort of trip.

Any recommendations? From the looks of it, the Mobil 1 High Mileage is good oil that could handle the longer OCI. I also have a source for Lubro-Moly 5W-40. The car is basically going to be running for 6 days straight, and it's summer, so cold weather protection is not necessarily crucial.


What will it be for my beast...

 

[OVERKILL]

Mobil 1 0w40?

 

[UNC017]

Where will you encounter any sub-freezing weather as shown in that picture? The current temp in Anchorage is 52. Lows in the 50s, highs in the 60s... are you planning on driving further north at some point? Like WAY further north??? I mean, its even above freezing in Deadhorse on the Arctic Ocean coastline most of the time this time of year.

As for oil, I'd second the recommendation of Mobil 1 0w40, and suggest considering Rotella T6 5w40 also.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 or 10w-40, Rotella T6, Mobil 1 0w-40... all good choices there.

 

[660mag]

Has this engine ever before seen 98%hw for that many miles in the past?
Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 with a Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter. and bring a few quarts for topups.

 

[TurboWagon]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Where will you encounter any sub-freezing weather as shown in that picture?


That's just a cool picture of my car in a Flagstaff snowstorm. I did indicate in my post that cold temperatures would not be a problem, seeing as it's summer. Sorry for the confusion!

Originally Posted By: 660mag
Has this engine ever before seen 98%hw for that many miles in the past?


I got this car from my dad in November of 2008 with 117,000 miles. In 3 years I've done almost 50,000 miles of driving, almost all highway. I drive back and forth from San Diego to Flagstaff (500 mi.) quite regularly. And my trip from San Diego to Seattle last winter went flawlessly (2600 miles RT).

And thanks for the suggestions everyone! Looks like I'll be narrowing it to Mobil 1 0W-40 or one of the High Mileage oils.

 

[JOD]

I think you can use Castrol 0W30 (GC) or Mobil 1 0W40 interchangeably in that engine--which ever you can find cheaper. I did have lower consumption with GC, but both work great in the whiteblock turbos.

honestly, I'd worry more about changing the driveline fluids, transmission/bevel gear/rear differential. Lots of folks never change those fluids, and end up having failures right around your current mileage.

 

[TurboWagon]

Thanks for the tips! I think the AZ up here in Flagstaff has GC, but it's like 8-something per quart. It has a bunch of dust on it though... so maybe I can talk to the manager about "helping them out".

I'm on top of everything for this car. The bevel gear and drive shaft have both been removed, so no worries with the AWD junk. Transmission fluid is clean (Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF) and has a Magnefine filter installed.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: TurboWagon
I think the AZ up here in Flagstaff has GC, but it's like 8-something per quart. It has a bunch of dust on it though... so maybe I can talk to the manager about "helping them out".

Every other month it seems, AZ has a sale on Syntec/GC... it's about $25/5qts then, if I'm not mistaken. I haven't bought it in a while...

 

[VR1]

Whats the engine call for? Thats what I would use. I would not just use whatever in something as nice as you have. If anyone says differently they are retarded and don't know any better.

 

[VR1]

Depending on what it calls for Valvoline has a great range of oils to choose from. If its a european viscosity which it most likely is 5w-40 synpower MST is great and can be had at Walmart for 6 bucks a quart. If its energy conserving grade any of them will do great.

 

[williar]

I'd go with GC or, secondly, Mobil 1 0w40

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: TurboWagon
Thanks for the tips! I think the AZ up here in Flagstaff has GC, but it's like 8-something per quart. It has a bunch of dust on it though... so maybe I can talk to the manager about "helping them out".

I'm on top of everything for this car. The bevel gear and drive shaft have both been removed, so no worries with the AWD junk. Transmission fluid is clean (Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF) and has a Magnefine filter installed.


Good call on the AWD stuff. I replaced the bevel gear in my R right before I sold it, but honestly I enjoyed driving it more in FWD mode; I just didn't think I'd be able to sell it as a FWD car.

While the lower-boosted ones aren't as picky on oil, I still think you're best to use the same requirements as the higher-boosted engines. Turbos are expensive, after all. Generally, I just stocked up when it went on sale. It seemed every couple of months I could get GC or M10W40 for 3.99/qt. I'd just get a couple cases when it's on sale, or bite the bullet if it's not on sale before your trip.

 

[Oregoonian]

Is there any reason that your driving that distance. Are you going there for business or pleasure? Wouldn't it be more reasonable to fly (Alaska Airlines) round-trip to Anchorage....and rent a vehicle if needed?

You would save time, wear and tear on your vehicle, and enjoy yor stay much more without that amount of driving.

Doing the math and assuming you could get 30 MPG....you would use 300+ gals. fuel. At $3.70 a gal.....total cost of fuel alone would be over $1100. In addition food, lodging, days spent driving.....IMO....it dosn't seem to make economic sense.
______________________________________________
03' Ford Focus (2.3L Duratec PZEV) / 98,500K
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 / Puro PureOne / OCI: 8,000K +/-

 

[scurvy]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
IMO....it dosn't seem to make economic sense


But what about the scenery, the thrill of a long road trip, the iron arse marathon days!

TurboWagon, sounds like an awesome trip - I would recommend Shell Rotella T6 5w40 and keep an extra gallon in the car. Check the oil (and tire pressure, etc...) at every fillup and have a good trip!

I'm having trouble fathoming why you'd remove the bevel gear & driveshaft though... AWD is a beautiful thing. I made it back home through Snowmageddon 2010 due to luckily getting a Subaru Impreza as a rental car, else I would have been stranded in Baltimore (a fate worse than death) for many days.

 

[TurboWagon]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
Is there any reason that your driving that distance. Are you going there for business or pleasure? Wouldn't it be more reasonable to fly (Alaska Airlines) round-trip to Anchorage....and rent a vehicle if needed?

You would save time, wear and tear on your vehicle, and enjoy yor stay much more without that amount of driving.

Doing the math and assuming you could get 30 MPG....you would use 300+ gals. fuel. At $3.70 a gal.....total cost of fuel alone would be over $1100. In addition food, lodging, days spent driving.....IMO....it dosn't seem to make economic sense.
______________________________________________
03' Ford Focus (2.3L Duratec PZEV) / 98,500K
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 / Puro PureOne / OCI: 8,000K +/-



I'm going (with a friend) for a variety of reasons. My buddy needs to go up for personal reasons, and it's important that I go with him. He's also done the drive a dozen times. Also, you do not understand how much I love driving my car. I love putting it to the test and seeing where it will take me!

Also, I'll be commissioning into the Air Force in Spring 2012 and going to flight school. This summer is going to be one of my last chances to go do something amazing, since I have no idea what my schedule is going to be like for the next few years.

I appreciate your concern, but for me this is going to really be an adventure of a lifetime. I've also never been to Canada... I can enjoy my first beer there!

I'm leaning more towards the Mobil 1 0W-40. The manual says I can use 5w30, 10w30, or 10W-40. Being a Euro car, I'm sure it has no problem with an 0W weights of the 40 weights. I've been running the 40 weight because I drive often with heavy loads in very hot temperatures. Lots of mountain grades too.

 

[UNC017]

Originally Posted By: scurvy
Originally Posted By: Oregoonian
IMO....it dosn't seem to make economic sense


But what about the scenery, the thrill of a long road trip, the iron arse marathon days!



Amen. Flying is a most unpleasant experience these days- lots of delays, airlines cutting to the bone to try to stay profitable, cramming more seats in airliners, charging for luggage, cancelling flights that aren't 90% full. I'd rather pay the gas bill and be on my own schedule. I fly for work trips, but I drive for my own vacations. I'd have driven to Hawaii last year if it were possible ;-p

 

[MonumentOiler]

Driving the Alcan is a trip of a lifetime. Consider returning on the Cassiar Highway through British Columbia.

I would stick with what you know works and try not to do any major repairs too close to the trip date.

Get a copy of the Milepost for the trip.

You'll more likely need an extra bottle of windshield fluid than an extra bottle of oil.

Mosquitoes the size of birds. Grab one of the two dollar face nets and a good DEET repellant in case you have to get out of the car in a real bad spot.

 

[JHZR2]

10w-40 is fine down to 0F or lower, and given the summertime, it will be robust too.

Please post your preparations, route and any other info you might have. I'd love to take this trip.

Have a full size spare with a real tire?

 

[TurboWagon]

Unfortunatley I don't have a full sized spare, but the tires are high quality (Michelin Primacy) and only a couple years old. I've heard that the highway is not nearly as bad as it was a couple decades ago, so I'm not too worried.

I'll be bringing all my tools, as I have them in the spare tire area all the time anway. I can do almost any repair with these tools, and I'll have a little jack as well as a portable battery starter. I have a good set of spare parts: MAF, coolant hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, fuel pump, fuel pump relay, light bulbs, oil filters, 5 quarts of Super Tech emergency oil, gallon of coolant, gallon of water, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, and a few MREs!