Ummm, yeah, a lot of us in the current model SAAB 9-3SS community have already verified that 15k mile OCIs in our 2.0L turbo engines are very much doable, and that results come out good... A number of these folks contribute to this board.quote:
Originally posted by buster:
I'm sure XOM will try and get the contract if it ever happens.
For those who don't already know, one of the "minor modifications" that allows this 50% increase in length of OCI (from 10k mi max to 15k mi max) is a 50% increase in oil capacity (from 4.2qt to 6.3qt). Maybe Terry can comment whether or not increasing OCI length is in a direct line with increasing oil capacity?quote:
Ummm, yeah, a lot of us in the current model SAAB 9-3SS community have already verified that 15k mile OCIs in our 2.0L turbo engines are very much doable, and that results come out good... A number of these folks contribute to this board.
This is true only for their non-turbo engines. The A-spec (gasoline) use limit for their turbocharged 2.0L Ecotec engine is 15k mi.quote:
The GM-LL-025-A Spec oil allows up to 32k km (20k mile) OCIs, and the GM-LL-025-B spec oil allows up to 78k (30k mile) OCIs.
This is the "appropriate oil quality" portion of the equation. The way Saab's TSB is written, however, implies that non-conforming oils can be used as long as the OLSM is ignored & conventional OCIs are employed. Realistically, there are a number of premium syn (Grp4/Grp5) oils that could be used in a turbocharged Ecotec with a synthetic oil programmed OLSM. But GM wants to keep their CAFE numbers as high as possible, so they aren't going to list really protective oils that lower the average by even a fraction.quote:
The advanced oil life computers in these cars will cut the OCIs short, depending on driving profile. But the oil still lasts a long time...
You MUST comply to these oil specs though...
I'm not sure how the standings are now, but oils originally carrying the GM-LL tag ranged completely across the ACEA rating scale (i.e., A1, A5 & A3). That would imply that the GM-LL spec only catered to environmental "credits" & not towards long-term protection. And with Saab's recent history of turbo & engine problems, I certainly wouldn't sacrifice mechanical life for a few tenths of 1% fuel savings.quote:
and, suprise, suprise, guess who is the only oil manufacturer that has this spec oil in the USA? XOM in their 0w-40 formulation...
I believe that amsoil 5w-40 'meets' these specs, and Id bet that GC does too... but warranty is an issue at this stage of the game. Ill likely try other oils once warrantee is over, though I want to stick to the thinner ones as this car gets EXCELLENT MPG, and I dont want to sacrifice that.