Hi guys,
So I just got my new 2012 volvo s60 t6 r-design, and I'm wondering what kind of oil I should use, and how often I should probably be changing it.
My owners manual says:
- must meet minimum ILSAC specification GF-4, API SL, or ACEA A1/B1
- they recommend castrol
- depending on driving habits, premium or synthetic may provide better fuel economy and engine protection
- For normal use, SAE 5W-30
- For "extreme engine operation" (driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes, towing trailer over long distances, or prolonged mountainous driving), synthetic SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40 are recommended
- The manual says to change oil every 7500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
I live in Massacussets, so it does get cold up here, but typically stay above 0 degrees F. They do get down in the teens though.
I tend to drive a mix of easy and hard on this car, tending more towards easy I think. But I do like to let loose on this engine at times, even while commuting if traffic allows. My commute to work and back is slightly under 10 miles each way. On the way there it takes me 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and on the way back 30 to 45 minutes.
I only drive about 5500 - 6000 miles a year.
This is a new car (just picked it up a few days ago), so no known problems with the car. Right now it has Castrol GTX 5W-30 in it. My current plan is to take it in at the end of winter (or, if I don't have many miles on it yet, then maybe when I have around 2000-3000 miles on it) and get the oil changed to synthetic (which everyone says is better for turbo engines, though I'm not sure if that still applies to newer turbos, but can't hurt, right?).
I was then planning to just follow the regular maintenance, as I got the safe and sound plan which includes free maintenance for 5 years (synthetic oil not included). So I would just get an oil change every 12 months (5500 - 6000 miles), and bring my own synthetic. Would be slightly wasteful the first time, since my first service would be at the beginning of next october, and I would be looking to switch out the current dino oil for synthetic at the end of this winter... but oh well. (I can't skip the oil change next oct. or it voids a bunch of stuff, I think.)
Anyway, just wanted to get opinions on whether that sounds reasonable. Also, and brand recommendations?
Thanks!
So I just got my new 2012 volvo s60 t6 r-design, and I'm wondering what kind of oil I should use, and how often I should probably be changing it.
My owners manual says:
- must meet minimum ILSAC specification GF-4, API SL, or ACEA A1/B1
- they recommend castrol
- depending on driving habits, premium or synthetic may provide better fuel economy and engine protection
- For normal use, SAE 5W-30
- For "extreme engine operation" (driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes, towing trailer over long distances, or prolonged mountainous driving), synthetic SAE 0W-30 or 0W-40 are recommended
- The manual says to change oil every 7500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
I live in Massacussets, so it does get cold up here, but typically stay above 0 degrees F. They do get down in the teens though.
I tend to drive a mix of easy and hard on this car, tending more towards easy I think. But I do like to let loose on this engine at times, even while commuting if traffic allows. My commute to work and back is slightly under 10 miles each way. On the way there it takes me 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and on the way back 30 to 45 minutes.
I only drive about 5500 - 6000 miles a year.
This is a new car (just picked it up a few days ago), so no known problems with the car. Right now it has Castrol GTX 5W-30 in it. My current plan is to take it in at the end of winter (or, if I don't have many miles on it yet, then maybe when I have around 2000-3000 miles on it) and get the oil changed to synthetic (which everyone says is better for turbo engines, though I'm not sure if that still applies to newer turbos, but can't hurt, right?).
I was then planning to just follow the regular maintenance, as I got the safe and sound plan which includes free maintenance for 5 years (synthetic oil not included). So I would just get an oil change every 12 months (5500 - 6000 miles), and bring my own synthetic. Would be slightly wasteful the first time, since my first service would be at the beginning of next october, and I would be looking to switch out the current dino oil for synthetic at the end of this winter... but oh well. (I can't skip the oil change next oct. or it voids a bunch of stuff, I think.)
Anyway, just wanted to get opinions on whether that sounds reasonable. Also, and brand recommendations?
Thanks!