Oil viscosity for 1998 Volvo S-70 non-turbo

[Kool_J]

Purchased a 1998 Volvo S-70 car with the 5 cylinder 2.4 liter NON-Turbo engine from an older couple about 4 months ago. Car is in immaculate condition with darn near every service receipt. Car was always serviced at the Volvo dealer except I can't figure out what kind of motor oil was used in this vehicle. I checked the owners manual and it highly recommends using 5W-40 motor oil over 5W-30 & 10W-30 but they can be used. The only 5W-40 oil I can find is Shell Rotella synthetic blend which I believe is a diesel oil. Should I use the Rotella or would I be able to get by with a synthetic 5w-30 or 10W-30? The car has 130,000 miles and the weather gets hot down here in Texas.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Kool_J
The only 5W-40 oil I can find is Shell Rotella synthetic blend which I believe is a diesel oil.

Hello there. Rotella 5w-40 is not a blend.

It is also API SM rated for gasoline engines, so I would have no problems using it in this engine. You could also look into some HM oils in 5w-30 grade. They're typically formulated on the thicker side of 30 and would probably work just fine.

 

[dparm]

Rotella T6 5w40 is a good oil for a good price. If you can get it locally, I'd use that.

 

[Kool_J]

Found the Rotella 5W-40 full synthetic at Wal-Mart for $21 and some change for a gallon. So you guys don't think 5W-40 is too heavy for this car? I thought the owners manual may have meant the 5W-40 was for the turbo model.

 

[Astro14]

Lots of good 5W40 options - though, frankly, in your engine (non-turbo) the 5W40 is only for extreme use like desert/towing/autobahn...I would just use a good 5W30, which is what I used in my '94 Volvo 850 wagon (same motor). At over 185K, it was running perfectly, on dino, changed every 5K...when it was totalled...that said, 5W40 won't hurt your car, use it if you like...

If you want to go longer than 5K, I would go synthetic, this engine is prone to sludge, which first builds up in the "flame trap" (PCV system) and that requires replacing the flame trap...there is no cleaning that beast...

Regardless of what you chose (5W30 or the 5W40) I would let budget be your guide...I use what I can get on sale, for example, I got the M1 5W40 for less than a dollar/qt on clearance...and 5W40 Rotella T6 is a great oil at a great everyday (non-sale) price...That's why it's in the MB...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Motorcycle 10w40 (4T) without question. Dont go near that engine with ILSAC oil.

 

[Kool_J]

I was thinking about going with either Quaker State Ultimate Durability Full Synthetic 5W-30 because Wally World has the 5 quart jugs for $20 & some change or some Peak 5W-30 conventional for $3 a quart at Big Lots. I've heard good reviews about both of these oils.

 

[zanzabar]

I had the same NA engine in my 94 850, it is very flexible on oil. The previous owners had used alot of 20w50 and still went way past 220k when I sold it and it was running great. I'd stick with the 5w40 Rotella down there in Texas, even in winter. But you'll be fine with just about anything 30 or 40wt.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Id skip any ILSAC 5w30. Its silly underadditised.

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Id skip any ILSAC 5w30. Its silly underadditised.

I don't agree with that.
The Volvo is not that old and the ZDDP levels of PCMO of the late 90's wasn't much higher than today.

I wouldn't discourage the OP from getting a deal on some premium OTC 5W-30 syn' oil. He could alway buy a bottle of ZDDP suppliment like RL Break-In Additive. One bottle is good for at least 5 to 6 oil changes.