Long time lurker....
2005 Volvo XC70 (2.5l turbo inline 5 cyl). 44,000 miles. Factory recommends 5w-30 (or 10w-30 if over 86F) and a 7,500 mile OCI. Previous owner had the dealer do the oil changes so it was probably 5w-30 dino oil. They were a little tardy on some of the changes, there was one 5,800 mile OCI but the rest were between 8,200 miles and 9,500 miles). I’m planning on doing an Auto-RX treatment before I start putting in the good stuff.
I do a fair number of short trips around town with the occasional longer run, either highway or mountain roads. Around town I drive fairly moderately but am not afraid to use WOT on occasion. When I get out of town I tend to drive more spiritedly. The car will see sub zero (F) starts in the winter and runs of days in the 90’s in the summer.
I would like to stick with the factory OCI of 7,500 miles. It uses cartridge filters so I will stick with Volvo/Mahle elements.
I have a cheap streak in me but it tends to get overruled by not wishing to be penny wise and pound foolish. So I guess I would say that the price is a minor factor. I’m looking at two oil changes (of ~6 quarts each I believe) every 12-15 months so the difference between PP (at the low end) and Redline (at the high end) is going to be $60-$70 per year. I’m not going to worry about that (too much).
My thoughts are:
1) Just get PP 5w-30 and run it year-round. It is good, inexpensive, will get the job done and I’m already buying it for my wife’s V6 RAV4 (OK, feel free to suggest otherwise on this choice--I switched the RAV from M1 recently “thanks” to you guys).
2) GC 0w-30 and run it year-round. Locally available, mid-priced option. I’ve seen one favorable UOA on a similar engine (the previous 2.4l turbo) with similar OCI.
3) Amsoil, either 5w-30 year-round or switch to 10w-30 for the summer stint (and does that mean 5w-20 in the winter???). This would only work IF I can get the OCI to line up right with the season, I would prefer not to go this route--”But Honey I have to road trip to Jackson Hole with the boys so that I put some more miles on this oil before I change it...” Which Amsoil? the XL line?
4) Red Line. OK, probably (definitely) overkill. Also may be more oriented for extreme use not extended OCIs? If so, then 5w-30 year round or some combo?
5) Other suggestions.
As you can tell I’ve been reading way too much in here and know just enough to be dangerous!
Thanks for your opinions.
Lincoln
2005 Volvo XC70 (2.5l turbo inline 5 cyl). 44,000 miles. Factory recommends 5w-30 (or 10w-30 if over 86F) and a 7,500 mile OCI. Previous owner had the dealer do the oil changes so it was probably 5w-30 dino oil. They were a little tardy on some of the changes, there was one 5,800 mile OCI but the rest were between 8,200 miles and 9,500 miles). I’m planning on doing an Auto-RX treatment before I start putting in the good stuff.
I do a fair number of short trips around town with the occasional longer run, either highway or mountain roads. Around town I drive fairly moderately but am not afraid to use WOT on occasion. When I get out of town I tend to drive more spiritedly. The car will see sub zero (F) starts in the winter and runs of days in the 90’s in the summer.
I would like to stick with the factory OCI of 7,500 miles. It uses cartridge filters so I will stick with Volvo/Mahle elements.
I have a cheap streak in me but it tends to get overruled by not wishing to be penny wise and pound foolish. So I guess I would say that the price is a minor factor. I’m looking at two oil changes (of ~6 quarts each I believe) every 12-15 months so the difference between PP (at the low end) and Redline (at the high end) is going to be $60-$70 per year. I’m not going to worry about that (too much).
My thoughts are:
1) Just get PP 5w-30 and run it year-round. It is good, inexpensive, will get the job done and I’m already buying it for my wife’s V6 RAV4 (OK, feel free to suggest otherwise on this choice--I switched the RAV from M1 recently “thanks” to you guys).
2) GC 0w-30 and run it year-round. Locally available, mid-priced option. I’ve seen one favorable UOA on a similar engine (the previous 2.4l turbo) with similar OCI.
3) Amsoil, either 5w-30 year-round or switch to 10w-30 for the summer stint (and does that mean 5w-20 in the winter???). This would only work IF I can get the OCI to line up right with the season, I would prefer not to go this route--”But Honey I have to road trip to Jackson Hole with the boys so that I put some more miles on this oil before I change it...” Which Amsoil? the XL line?
4) Red Line. OK, probably (definitely) overkill. Also may be more oriented for extreme use not extended OCIs? If so, then 5w-30 year round or some combo?
5) Other suggestions.
As you can tell I’ve been reading way too much in here and know just enough to be dangerous!
Thanks for your opinions.
Lincoln
