Smith & Allan

[Johnson Johnson]

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

 

[Kira]

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?

 

[fantastic]

100 years later I can't say I've ever heard of this brand.
Can you post a pic of the back?

 

[Johnson Johnson]

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.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

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.

 

[JRay’07]

Yeah, I don't like the fact it's very dark in colour. It's going back, lesson learnt.

View attachment 284566

The additive treat rate is one thing that can influence the appearance of this.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

The additive treat rate is one thing that can influence the appearance of this.

Would you use it? I'm not sure I want to

 

[JRay’07]

Would you use it? I'm not sure I want to

I’d run it in my car. If you return it you’ll make the oil jug sad. Is that what you want?

 

[Johnson Johnson]

I’d run it in my car. If you return it you’ll make the oil jug sad. Is that what you want?

Well, no. Plus it's going to cost me the return postage.

 

[Tikka]

100 years later I can't say I've ever heard of this brand.
Can you post a pic of the back?

Hi.
I have the tech sheet here if it helps.

https://www.smithandallan.com/media...d581768b74b083efac5f60656d9d4b4ad91dc40d51812

 

[Johnson Johnson]

Hi.
I have the tech sheet here if it helps.

https://www.smithandallan.com/media...d581768b74b083efac5f60656d9d4b4ad91dc40d51812

Thanks, I've used it seems ok. Can anyone help me understand those figures please? (is it any good basically)

 

[fantastic]

Thanks, I've used it seems ok. Can anyone help me understand those figures please? (is it any good basically)

Looks like it should be a fine European oil. What are you putting it in?

 

[Tikka]

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.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

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?

 

[Bailes1992]

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.

 

[fantastic]

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.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

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?

 

[fantastic]

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.

Post in thread 'Difference in MPG using different oil viscosities?'

May 1, 2025

I seem to get between 0.25-0.40 MPG less using a 5w-40 vs a 5w-30 but there were some variables that took place so not for certain. Let's say I get 0.25 miles per gallon less, 20 MPG, & $2.50 gallon average. Over 100k miles that would be $3,125 more dollars.

UPDATE: I looked at my notes & this is what I saved recently. 0.30 MPG less from 30 to 40 grade BUT 40 had more weight, idling, etc on the 40. That is a spec less than 1.5% less MPG going from 5w-30 to a 5w-40 Euro oil. It would cost slightly more over 100k miles as I quoted above for fuel cost increase.

Using 5w-30 XC90...

• fantastic

 

[gus39]

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.

 

[Johnson Johnson]

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