Walmart LL-01 Castrol
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I recently used this same oil in both cars in my signature. My Elantra has the 201 HP GDI-T 1.6.
This Castrol obviously is a thicker 5W30. Walmart had the oil for $22.XX on rollback when I bought it.
This Castrol obviously is a thicker 5W30. Walmart had the oil for $22.XX on rollback when I bought it.
People still care about this ancient standard?
It's actually not ancient. It was updated/revised within the last year or two, which is why some oils lost their approval.
There is also this 0w30 that is A3/B4, LL-01, and SL. Available at some Walmart’s.
Castrol 0w30 LL-01. That's what I use in my BMW - when I can find it. I make a special trip to a Walmart a 30 minute drive away to find it.
I also see MB 229.5. I didn't think any 0w30 would meet that when were usually talking about 5W-40 or 0W-40.
Hope it's not only in Canada.
Hope it's not only in Canada.
slo town
$200 Site Donor 2026
The 0w30 posted above is "German Castrol". A couple of years ago production was shifted from Germany to Belgium. It's nothing new. I have 20 bottles of it in the garage and have been using it for years. You can buy it on Amazon.
Scott
Scott
Castrol 0w30 (GC) has had the MB 229.5 approval for ages.
There really isn't anything in the MB 229.5 specification that would preclude Xw-30 grades from qualifying, as long as they have high enough HT/HS viscosity and Noack of 10% or less. There are quite a few Xw-30 oils on the 229.5 approval list:
https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
That is old batch. New one does not have LL01.
I have 8qt of new batch and where it states 0W30 it is not orange anymore but pink background.
I am not sure formulation changed at all. Castrol still posts PDS from 2016. But new ones do not carry LL01.
Still, I got it for my BMW, and it is far better than 5W30 LL01 that Wal Mart sells.
I hate to be cynical, but all this product is is a 'cheapening' of GC/BC 0W-30.
GC/BC 0w30 has been tested here, and has been proven to be an all PAO/Ester blend oil that is very stable and shear-resistant. In looking to reduce the cost of producing an oil like this, if you use HC group-III base oils and move it to being a 5w30 oil, it is easier to do because you most likely need PAO or Ester to get it to reach the 0W rating.
Not that this is a bad oil...A3/LL01 makes a good strong oil, but it has been re-formulated to make use of less-expensive base stocks, pure and simple.
GC/BC 0w30 has been tested here, and has been proven to be an all PAO/Ester blend oil that is very stable and shear-resistant. In looking to reduce the cost of producing an oil like this, if you use HC group-III base oils and move it to being a 5w30 oil, it is easier to do because you most likely need PAO or Ester to get it to reach the 0W rating.
Not that this is a bad oil...A3/LL01 makes a good strong oil, but it has been re-formulated to make use of less-expensive base stocks, pure and simple.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Castrol EDGE 5W30 ACEA A3/B4 always existed next to 0W30 Castrol EDGE ACEA A3/B4.
0W30 is now 25-50% PAO probably on higher side close to 50% as pour point is -57c.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
It is not. And there is a long debate in other thread about it.
Anyone who owns odler BMW's, with N51.52,54 and 55 engines should not worry about that at all.
My daughters is M54 2005
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Yeah, works in it. Older engines, prior to N20/26, B48/58, means prior to 2012.
Even in these new engines it is debatable how necessary is LL01 after warranty, relying on MB229.5. BMW made already stringent oxidation requirements even tougher.
The LL stands for Long Life. Is this really a concern if you aren’t try to push the OCI?
“New one” or American one. It appears the Belgium formula is still LL-01.
Everyone noticed the 5w30 A3/B4 was made in Austria, correct?
I'm thinking of trying that 5w30 over the winter. I mostly highway cruise anyway, very easy on oil. I've not seen any real specs on it IIRC. Good catch about Austria, maybe it's got some good stuff in there!
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