We just bought a new Volvo XC90 T6 with Volvo's Drive-E 2.0 4-cylinder turbo/supercharged engine. So far, the engine is a gem. Even Ward's thinks so and has added it to the is year's top-10 list.
The issue of oil for the Drive-E seems a specific problem in the USA. The USA-spec user manual states: "Volvo oil VCC RBS0-2AE/SAE 0W20 is recommended for extreme driving conditions."
However, the only oil that is RBS0-2AE certified is Castrol EDGE Professional V 0W-20 which does not appear to available in the USA. Rumor has it that it is against US law for an auto manufacturer to recommend a consumable that only it produces (Volvo produced it in conjunction with BP/Castrol). As such, the USA-spec manual also states:
''Full synthetic engine oil meeting the minimum ACEA A5/B5 must be used... SAE 5W-30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protection." If you get the oil changed at a Volvo dealer in the USA apparently they use Castrol Edge Professional 5W30.
So here I am, a mechanical engineer by education who wants to use what the manufacturer recommends, but can't. I also trust that a good quality 5W-30 would do just as well (maybe even better?) in my warm weather environment.
Thoughts? Recommendations on a good ACEA A5/B5 5W-30? I'm using Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W-30 elsewhere and would like to stick with one oil make/grade if possible.
The issue of oil for the Drive-E seems a specific problem in the USA. The USA-spec user manual states: "Volvo oil VCC RBS0-2AE/SAE 0W20 is recommended for extreme driving conditions."
However, the only oil that is RBS0-2AE certified is Castrol EDGE Professional V 0W-20 which does not appear to available in the USA. Rumor has it that it is against US law for an auto manufacturer to recommend a consumable that only it produces (Volvo produced it in conjunction with BP/Castrol). As such, the USA-spec manual also states:
''Full synthetic engine oil meeting the minimum ACEA A5/B5 must be used... SAE 5W-30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protection." If you get the oil changed at a Volvo dealer in the USA apparently they use Castrol Edge Professional 5W30.
So here I am, a mechanical engineer by education who wants to use what the manufacturer recommends, but can't. I also trust that a good quality 5W-30 would do just as well (maybe even better?) in my warm weather environment.
Thoughts? Recommendations on a good ACEA A5/B5 5W-30? I'm using Pennzoil Platinum Ultra 5W-30 elsewhere and would like to stick with one oil make/grade if possible.