Just ordered a 2010 Volvo v70(3.2 L6). Volvo provides 5 year factory maintenance. I called the service department and asked what they used when changing the oil. Response was "Castrol GTX".[ This dealership has sold ONLY Volvos for 52 years.] The factory OCI is 7500 miles, and I believe the sump capacity is 8 quarts. Anyone with experience on best oil for the volvo 3.2 liter engine? With a sump capacity of 8 quarts, would Castrol gtx be adequate if driving about 80 % highway in Southeast US?
Oil Question for 2010 Volvo 3.2 L6
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I'm not a Volvo expert or a GTX expert for that matter. My opinion would be to run it for 6k and take it in for a change and see if they'll do it for you. Also, if it burns any oil over that time, you could top off with a full syn of same weight to help things out. The 2 gallon sump is helpful, however.
When I worked at the Volvo dealer several years ago. Everything (including Turbos)got bulk Mobil Drive Clean 10w30, unless the customer specifically asked for syn, then it was Mobil 1. This was around '00-01, so the first gen S80 was out, though only in the 2.9, and 2.8 T6 variants. We never had any oil related problems (Though first gen S80 Electrical Gremlins were a daily occurence)
I don't think you will have a problem running GTX with 8 quarts in the sump, and 80% highway driving. Plus if something happens, it's covered. Don't worry about it.
Justin
I don't think you will have a problem running GTX with 8 quarts in the sump, and 80% highway driving. Plus if something happens, it's covered. Don't worry about it.
Justin
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I've used many different oils since I bought my XC70 three years ago. One oil that the car liked very much was the German Castrol Syntec.
I tried GTX a few months ago, and the car really came to life with that oil. It worked perfectly. I am now running the Syntec blend, and it's doing nicely, too, though a little thicker than GTX.
I don't know if I would be comfortable running any dino oil for 8k miles. This is why I'm running the blend. I like the blend because you get the best characteristics of syn and dino oils.
If I were you, I'd run some ARX or MMO in the oil constantly if you're going to run GTX for the full OCI. Keep an eye on your oil cap bottom-side. The Volvo oil cap is a fine indicator of sludge and varnish.
I tried GTX a few months ago, and the car really came to life with that oil. It worked perfectly. I am now running the Syntec blend, and it's doing nicely, too, though a little thicker than GTX.
I don't know if I would be comfortable running any dino oil for 8k miles. This is why I'm running the blend. I like the blend because you get the best characteristics of syn and dino oils.
If I were you, I'd run some ARX or MMO in the oil constantly if you're going to run GTX for the full OCI. Keep an eye on your oil cap bottom-side. The Volvo oil cap is a fine indicator of sludge and varnish.
Thanks for all the suggestions, esp Hethaerto. But, I will run no additives in the oil. The last Volvo I had was a 760 Turbo, and I sold it privately with 300K (and original Turbo, BTW)on the ODO. I used mostly synthetic oil. I am considering just taking 2x5 QT jugs of Syntec and asking them to use it when changing the oil and filter. Just trying to decide if that would be a waste of about $100 per year on oil versus the GTX, if I plan to keep the car for a long time. With 5 quart capacity, it would be a no-brainer; but the 8 quart capacity has me wondering if it would be worth while.
I`m surprised it`s not factory spec. for Synthetic oil.My wife has an 06 Mercedes C-280,with a sump of around 8 quarts.But that car requires Mobil-1 0W-40.
Here is what I found on Swedespeed:
"As for oil used, factory fill is a semi-synthetic. In Europe the recommended oil for Volvo engines is a semi-synthetic or full synthetic that meets ACEA A5/B5 specifications. The reason for this is that they have a 30,000 KM (18,000 miles) oil change interval. Yes, that is not a typo. In North America, the oil change interval is 7,500 miles, which only requires a mineral based oil. "
"As for oil used, factory fill is a semi-synthetic. In Europe the recommended oil for Volvo engines is a semi-synthetic or full synthetic that meets ACEA A5/B5 specifications. The reason for this is that they have a 30,000 KM (18,000 miles) oil change interval. Yes, that is not a typo. In North America, the oil change interval is 7,500 miles, which only requires a mineral based oil. "
Given the heavy varnish I have seen in modern Volvo turbo engines with conventional oil, I would run full synthetic only.
Originally Posted By: TTK
Originally Posted By: lexus114
I`m surprised it`s not factory spec. for Synthetic oil.My wife has an 06 Mercedes C-280,with a sump of around 8 quarts.But that car requires Mobil-1 0W-40.
What does MB recommend for OCI?
Although I dont drive her car much (were always in mine) It has a pretty long drain interval.Something like 12k? I`m not positive.She has a monitor that tells her when its due,and how far over you go as well.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
I`m surprised it`s not factory spec. for Synthetic oil.My wife has an 06 Mercedes C-280,with a sump of around 8 quarts.But that car requires Mobil-1 0W-40.
What does MB recommend for OCI?
Although I dont drive her car much (were always in mine) It has a pretty long drain interval.Something like 12k? I`m not positive.She has a monitor that tells her when its due,and how far over you go as well.
The car probably will last a long time with the Castrol. I think that the service you put the car through and how you drive it and service it has more to than the oil used. Nothing wrong with syn if you want to spend the extra $$$$
Originally Posted By: Steve S
The car probably will last a long time with the Castrol. I think that the service you put the car through and how you drive it and service it has more to than the oil used. Nothing wrong with syn if you want to spend the extra $$$$
Probably a wise assessment. It will get the 7500 mile service as specified by Volvo at the Volvo dealer. Most likely 2x7500 mile services per year. Knowing me, I am not sure I can resist supplying the Syntec when I take it in! LOL
The car probably will last a long time with the Castrol. I think that the service you put the car through and how you drive it and service it has more to than the oil used. Nothing wrong with syn if you want to spend the extra $$$$
Probably a wise assessment. It will get the 7500 mile service as specified by Volvo at the Volvo dealer. Most likely 2x7500 mile services per year. Knowing me, I am not sure I can resist supplying the Syntec when I take it in! LOL
I think the reason that modern Volvos have a varnish problem is because of the plastic pan that covers the entire bottom side of the engine. That thing traps heat like crazy. I removed my pan, and the engine cools off much faster now, which can only extend the life of my vacuum lines, etc.
I ran GTX for a while, and though the engine responded VERY well to that oil, it burned off at a rapid rate. This burning off of oil is where the varnish and sludge comes from, right? Yeah, the engine has a PCV system, but it seems that the more an oil burns off, the more varnish is created. The vaporized oil has to go somewhere, and I don't think it's all properly ventilated like we think it is.
I ran GTX for a while, and though the engine responded VERY well to that oil, it burned off at a rapid rate. This burning off of oil is where the varnish and sludge comes from, right? Yeah, the engine has a PCV system, but it seems that the more an oil burns off, the more varnish is created. The vaporized oil has to go somewhere, and I don't think it's all properly ventilated like we think it is.
Originally Posted By: TTK
Hethaerto, I think that plastic pan is designed to direct the air properly while driving for increased cooling of the oil pan etc. So, while driving it may keep the engine oil cooler; after shutoff you may see faster cool-down without it.
The pan on my car doesn't have any airflow slots in it. It's just a big plastic cover. It does help keep the engine clean. But I like how the engine bay is allowed to breathe now. Volvo engines make tremendous heat, like all engines obviously, but the design of the engine bay exaggerates this.
Hethaerto, I think that plastic pan is designed to direct the air properly while driving for increased cooling of the oil pan etc. So, while driving it may keep the engine oil cooler; after shutoff you may see faster cool-down without it.
The pan on my car doesn't have any airflow slots in it. It's just a big plastic cover. It does help keep the engine clean. But I like how the engine bay is allowed to breathe now. Volvo engines make tremendous heat, like all engines obviously, but the design of the engine bay exaggerates this.
It's reasonable to assume that Volvo actually knows what they're doing with the plastic shield under the engine. A quick peek will show you that it has a couple NACA ducts to take air in. Leave it in place until you know something Volvo does not know.
The "white" Volvo engines are designed and produced by Volkswagen in Germany and have nothing to do with any Ford product.
The "white" Volvo engines are designed and produced by Volkswagen in Germany and have nothing to do with any Ford product.
I've got a 2008 XC/70 with the 3.2 L6 and have been running Castrol Edge 5W30 in it, and buy it at AZ whenever they are running a decent sale. Currently have about 23K miles on the engine and I'm changing the oil about every 7-8K miles even though the Edge meets the extended drain intervals and ACEA A5 oil spec the Volvo manual calls for. Internally the engine appears to be spotless (at least as viewed through the oil filler cap) with no varnish or sludge visible in the upper valve areas. Engine runs great. Mileage is so-so but the 3.2 is not known for great mileage in the heavy XC/70.
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You treat yours exactly the way I treat mine - good quality synthetic, following the OEM drain interval...
Oil's cheap - engines are expensive...and the Volvo engines are known to sludge up the "flame trap" or PCV system...synthetic should prevent that...and the hundreds you would spend replacing the flame trap alone more than offsets the cost of the Edge...when you consider all the other issues you avoid with the Edge...it starts looking even cheaper...
Oil's cheap - engines are expensive...and the Volvo engines are known to sludge up the "flame trap" or PCV system...synthetic should prevent that...and the hundreds you would spend replacing the flame trap alone more than offsets the cost of the Edge...when you consider all the other issues you avoid with the Edge...it starts looking even cheaper...
PCV service is just part of the routine maintenance, like changing the timing belt. sure, it's not a fun job but it does need to be done. synthetic will not eliminate that need. i do believe an oil with lower volatility will extend the interval though
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