Smith & Allan

Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
109
I've just bought this oil, is it actually any good, I've had bad experiences previously with cheaper oils. I made a mistake basically

PXL_20250613_061956339.webp
 
Perhaps not.
It's a company celebrating a 100-year anniversary. When and where's the party?
They make/market oils, grease, paint and stain.
They list 13 brand names.

Describe your previous bad oil experience, please.
Was this oil on special?
 
Perhaps not.
It's a company celebrating a 100-year anniversary. When and where's the party?
They make/market oils, grease, paint and stain.
They list 13 brand names.

Describe your previous bad oil experience, please.
Was this oil on special?
My previous bad experiences have been with Mannol.
 
Perhaps not.
It's a company celebrating a 100-year anniversary. When and where's the party?
They make/market oils, grease, paint and stain.
They list 13 brand names.

Describe your previous bad oil experience, please.
Was this oil on special?
Yeah, I don't like the fact it's very dark in colour. It's going back, lesson learnt.

PXL_20250613_195619335.webp
 
Thanks, I've used it seems ok. Can anyone help me understand those figures please? (is it any good basically)
Hi.
I guessing you are a fellow Brit.

Smith and Allen are just a blender of lubricants. They will purchase a base oil and then add the necessary additive package for a certain specification, like many lubricant retailers.

I would be happy to use their products.

There are many on here better able than me to make sense of those figures. I posted it in the hope that will happen.
 
Looks like it should be a fine European oil. What are you putting it in?
This is the bit I'm worried about admitting. It's a Mondeo 2.5t manual. It's done 185,000, I know it's supposed to be A5 B5 but I looked into it and the same engine has different recommendations when used in other applications. Is the SAPS an issue? Have I messed up?
 
Smith and Allan and a reputable small British blender. Use without worry! I certainly trust them more than I do Mannol.

This is the bit I'm worried about admitting. It's a Mondeo 2.5t manual. It's done 185,000, I know it's supposed to be A5 B5 but I looked into it and the same engine has different recommendations when used in other applications. Is the SAPS an issue? Have I messed up?

An A3/B4 is perfectly suitable for use in a Volvo whiteblock! I use M1 0w40 FS in my Wife's Volvo XC70 D5.
 
This is the bit I'm worried about admitting. It's a Mondeo 2.5t manual. It's done 185,000, I know it's supposed to be A5 B5 but I looked into it and the same engine has different recommendations when used in other applications. Is the SAPS an issue? Have I messed up?
You're just fine. Those requirements are simply for fuel economy. If you're not worried about it, Euro A3/B4 oil is perfectly fine. My Volvo wants A1/B1 which is a spec that evolved to A5/B5 but I use ACEA A3/B4 oil in it.
 
You're just fine. Those requirements are simply for fuel economy. If you're not worried about it, Euro A3/B4 oil is perfectly fine. My Volvo wants A1/B1 which is a spec that evolved to A5/B5 but I use ACEA A3/B4 oil in it.
Oh great cheers. Yeah it probably doesn't make much difference, especially on a high mileage engine, maybe lost .5 mpg?
 
Oh great cheers. Yeah it probably doesn't make much difference, especially on a high mileage engine, maybe lost .5 mpg?
We had another topic regarding viscosity & MPG differences which I think is somewhat similar to what were discussing. I did a quick comparison on my XC90 & the biggest contributor to MPG loss when switching up a grade was my winter idling to warm it up inside taking my son to school. Tire PSI & driving style would have a bigger impact as well BUT our conversation here is mainly about specification differences within the same grade & is even smaller of a change in MPG. In short, you already have a fuel efficient engine & it will be negligible in fuel cost. I doubt you'll notice.

 
No worries with Smith & Alan products. They are blended to specification at their plant in Darlington England. They are also members of VLS who independently check that lubricants meet stated specifications.
Prices are good because they do not have to spend a fortune on R&D, just buying in the additive package and base oils and following the "recipe" for whatever application, plus generic packaging and jugs. A specification is a specification, if it meets it, it is good to go just the same as a more well known brand.
Personally i would not use Mannol, too many issues on some stated specifications and been flagged up by the VLS.
 
No worries with Smith & Alan products. They are blended to specification at their plant in Darlington England. They are also members of VLS who independently check that lubricants meet stated specifications.
Prices are good because they do not have to spend a fortune on R&D, just buying in the additive package and base oils and following the "recipe" for whatever application, plus generic packaging and jugs. A specification is a specification, if it meets it, it is good to go just the same as a more well known brand.
Personally i would not use Mannol, too many issues on some stated specifications and been flagged up by the VLS.
Thanks, yeah I feel better TBH. Mannol is garbage IMO, I'll continue to stay away from their products
 
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