Originally Posted By: miniac007
Originally Posted By: Swissdieselfan
Ultra is not a C3, so might have slightly more Zinc, although the Renault block is not supposed to be sensitive about Zinc levels. The present run is something of a test to see if that is true, if not I will think about trying one of the HDEO's after I have passed the emissions test this summer.
In the URL I posted above they say the Penzoil Euro 5w40 is Shell Ultra 5w40 and you have the VOA.
Concerning Total/Elf, I never used their PCMOs, neither castrol, to much expensive. But I used their HDEO with success, as I was paying 3.8€+VAT for TIR 8600 for example, half price than PCMOs with professional discount. A friend of mine is using also them by tons, with fleet UOA guard with success on various HDEO and marine engines, in north sea and mediterranean sea. So I cannot considere those brands as bull [censored]...
For now, I decided to stay with HDEO for my cars also (I have only old cars before 96), as it is cheap and good based on UOAs. In my opinion, I prefer a supermaket Meguin/Pennasol/Total HDEO to a major brand PCMO, considering the add pack and the price...
I posted a VOA of a Pennasol 15w40 CI-4 VDS-3 with a much more rich add pack than PCMOs. It is first price mineral HDEO, but VDS-3, at the half price of PCMOs with a better add pack ... I am like people on BITOG who prefer Delo 400
You can find a lot of VOA and UOA of european PCMO on the russian forum
http://www.oil-club.ru/forum/, readable with google or chrome translation
Btw, Volvo transmission oils are not made for fuel economy, but just to be able to shift smoothly at -30°
So motor oil SAE 30, then 10w30, then ATF F/G before and now synthetic 75W80 and 75W. It is not a recent trend like other car brands for fuel economy. I speak about genuine Volvo gearboxes of course, M40/41/45/46/47/56/90.
I will test now a BMW MTF-2 (Ravenol) in M45/M47 to replace ATF G. Should perform better, same viscosity curve, but GL-4 and better add pack...
Just had a look at the Penn 15/40 oil and although I need a 5/40, it does look interesting for what is a very cheap oil in the EU. Very solid add pack with lots of Boron.
The M56 Volvo box was made by Renault, although I think the oil was from Castrol and the clutch is different.