Recommendations for 2016 Volvo XC90 T6?

Joined
Nov 9, 2009
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Location
El Paso, TX
I have a 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 and I am wondering if there are any alternatives to the specific “Volvo” oil I’m being referred to use. Liqui Moly Special Tec V 0W-30.

This is the oil that I’ve found, but would prefer to see if I can find another Euro oil with similar specifications in store over having to order online.

https://a.co/d/4Xe7Tb4
 
Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 2.00.22 PM.webp


Here's from your manual. Is this a 4, 5 or 6-cylinder? Does T6 mean 6-cylinder? I know nothing about Volvo.
 
Or try this Mobil1 product. It is A5. B5.
https://www.mobil.com/en/sap/our-products/products/mobil-1-5w-30

The "T" designations Volvo uses refer to strata of horsepower, NOT the number of cylinders.
The 4 cylinder in the OP's XC-90 could be fitted with a turbocharger resulting in X horsepower and be called "T5"
However, it was fitted with a turbocharger and supercharger resulting in Y horsepower (a higher number than X) and is called "T6".

In earlier times, Volvo used a T or the word "Turbo" to designate low pressure turbos. They didn't put the "T1" on any car.
They did use T2 and T3, left it off for a while then came back with T4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
I don't have the years the various placards were used nor do I have a chart of the horsepower breaks.
 
View attachment 267887

Here's from your manual. Is this a 4, 5 or 6-cylinder? Does T6 mean 6-cylinder? I know nothing about Volvo.

I just got the warm and fuzzies from reading that Volvo states you must NEVER use a 0W20 in their 5 or 6 cylinder turbo trims. :) I recently drove a 2015 S80 T6 with the 300hp inline 6 and it was a rocket on the highway. I would love to have one of the Yamaha V8 S80s "just for fun".
 
Or try this Mobil1 product. It is A5. B5.
https://www.mobil.com/en/sap/our-products/products/mobil-1-5w-30

The "T" designations Volvo uses refer to strata of horsepower, NOT the number of cylinders.
The 4 cylinder in the OP's XC-90 could be fitted with a turbocharger resulting in X horsepower and be called "T5"
However, it was fitted with a turbocharger and supercharger resulting in Y horsepower (a higher number than X) and is called "T6".

In earlier times, Volvo used a T or the word "Turbo" to designate low pressure turbos. They didn't put the "T1" on any car.
They did use T2 and T3, left it off for a while then came back with T4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
I don't have the years the various placards were used nor do I have a chart of the horsepower breaks.
Ah I was under the impression that T5 and T6 were turbocharged versions of their inline 5 and inline 6 cylinder engine
 
Ah I was under the impression that T5 and T6 were turbocharged versions of their inline 5 and inline 6 cylinder engine
In the previous generations that was the case until they started doing supercharger/turbocharger combos.... There was a brief period where T8 meant the supercharger/turbocharger combo + a PHEV component.
 
I recommend Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 in these engines. They are notorious for sticking piston rings and burning oil, so the Restore and Protect really helps. I use it in heaps of Volvos and they love it.
 
I’m going to also recommend Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 for your VEP engine.

I also have a 2016 and you need to make sure the piston rings stay clean clean because they’re prone to plugging.

Also, I don’t recommend LiquiMoly for anything any more. Everything I’ve put it in burns it like something is wrong with the engine.
 
I too recommend Valvoline Restore & Protect as stated earlier.

I use it in my 3.0l T6.
I also add "Moly E.P. 132" at half the treatment rate. 1 qt per 8 qt sump.
The 132 is not needed per se', but it increases HTHS a tiny bit, and my engine sounds quieter.
 
Thank you everyone for the recommendation, I just changed the oil today to the Valvoline Restore & Protect 5W-30 with a Wix oil filter.

For further context, the car has 110k miles and we bought it with just under 100k, so it was overdue for a change. I had an unused bottle of Liqui Moly Pro Line Engine Flush that I put in and ran it for 10 minutes prior to draining the old oil.

The DI is a bit noisy on these engines but it seems to be a little quieter after the change. I’ll continue to use this oil based on the recommendations from others on here and doing forum research.
 
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