Volvo XC70 Oil Recommedation

Used A3/B4 in 2010 Volvo XC70 3.2L. No issues, and no oil consumption, all the way up until I sold it with over 270k miles (435k kms) on the odometer. Even with A3/B4 and AWD it still achieved 31MPG (7.6L/100kms) on long trips, fully packed with people and stuff.
A 3.0T XC70 is definitely on the radar...
 
Imho, xW-40 may not be a better choice. It will raise oil pressure a bit and engine will be running a bit hotter so cooling system will work harder. I think you can benefit from ACEA C3/C2 oil in xW-30 grade.

Not really. A3/B4 is available in xW-30 viscosity if you are (unnecessarily) worried about oil pressure, just higher HTHS then A5/B5.
Volvo does not recommend C oils for any older gasoline engines before VEA-architecture (SPA-platform/generation) as far as I know.

Run any 229.5 with confidence, just chose 0-5W to 30-40 range. Heck even 10W-40 A3/B4 in warmer climates (down under?)
 
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No idea, considering Australia's very mild weather on the cold side. Maybe they saw $$$ from people buying this unicorn oil from Volvo dealers.

Mobil 1 0w-40 has a MRV of 21,600 cP, Shell Helix Ultra X 5w-30 has a MRV of 13,800 cP. This means that the Shell Helix Ultra X is more flowable when cold than the M1 0w-40 despite it being a 5w.

If you really must have a 0w-30, then Shell Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30 is MB 229.52, which is the DPF friendly version of MB 229.5. It is reasonably priced. I think I last bought a 3x5L for $115 and would be fine in your Volvo.
nope, MRV is mesure at different temps for 5w and 0W.
 
nope, MRV is mesure at different temps for 5w and 0W.
Copy that. Apologies.

However both spec sheets I looked at (Shell one and Mobil one) say measurement was taken at -40°C using ASTM D4684?

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Why do you think Volvo is recommending 0-30 in Australia vs 5-30 in the US?
0-30 ACEA A5 is a very rare and expensive oil in Australia. Not sure I can afford it.
Isn't Mobil 1 0-40 ( a thin 40 almost 30 ) closer to the recommended viscosity ?
Well, my point was that there is some wiggle room in your decision as far as grade goes. Who knows why? Multiple people in this thread as well as my thread that I linked to suggested grade is not as important as type and quality. A3/B4 equivalent to a stouter A5/B5. You have several A3/B4 choices and IMO your lack of cold temps in Australia means you have more options with grade. I would not be at all afraid of any A3/B4 in either 0W40, 5W40, or 0/5W30.
 
Cant find it anywhere for less then 100sek/Liter. Can it beat this?

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Not a A5/B5 oil so I dont see how to compare that with the Delvac that is a A5/B5 oil-
If you want to go outside the specifications you can buy a 5l 5w40 at Lidl for 179:- when they have it but I would not use a oil that not holds the specification that the engine maker recommends. It will work for sure and even the Lidl oil will work but it dont feel right for me.
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Not a A5/B5 oil so I dont see how to compare that with the Delvac that is a A5/B5 oil-
If you want to go outside the specifications you can buy a 5l 5w40 at Lidl for 179:- when they have it but I would not use a oil that not holds the specification that the engine maker recommends. It will work for sure and even the Lidl oil will work but it dont feel right for me.

W5 (Lidl) is not on 229.5 cert list. So no its not "right", rebottled from unknown manufacturer. Have heard its from Avista but who knows.
Also that picture is old, its closer to 250sek last I checked.
Same with Biltema no certs. Would still use them as top-up oil.

 
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How often do you see MB 229.5 oil that's not 'C' oil?
Also, why 229.5 and not 229.51/52? I like .52 cert, that's why I run the oil in my sig.
No ACEA C oil have MB.229.5 ... ? I dont understand what you mean.
Volvo does not recommend C oils for any older gasoline engines without particle filter. Even diesels with DPF run A5/B5.
So no need to step down to low/mid saps. 0W30 A5/B5 is (can be) basically low HTHS A3/B4 (229.5) at the end of the day.
If you find A5/B5 0/5W30 expensive or hard to find A3/B4 is closer in spec then ACEA C2 or C3 imho.

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I have not seen any UOAs of the 3.2 inline 6 other than my own, but what I've seen in my own UOAs suggests the engine is hard on the oil (TBN drops faster than expected), but that wear metals are very low.

My first UOA was with the dealer bulk oil that came in the car when I bought it. After only 2000 miles TBN was already down to 3.2, but total wear metals combined were 3.4ppm per 1000 miles.

My second UOA was with Castrol Euro 5W30 (A3/B4). After 5200 miles the TBN dropped from a virgin value of 8.9 to 2.9. Again, total wear metals were low (3.5ppm per 1000 mi).

Sometime in April, I will do the next UOA with the Castrol Euro 5W40 (A3/B4, API SP) I've been running. I expect the mileage at oil change time to be 6500-7000. This oil's TBN starts at 10.6, so I'm very curious to see how it holds up.
 
Why did Volvo not recommend C3 oils?
Is it due to long drain intervals they pushed for thus pushing for full SAPS oils?
Personally, I don't see downsides of using C3 oil instead of a full SAPS oil in light duty engine without extended drain intervals.
My buddy brought 2013 S60 T5 last afternoon, we used Penn Plat Euro LX this time, OCI is 4500 miles.
 
Why did Volvo not recommend C3 oils?
Is it due to long drain intervals they pushed for thus pushing for full SAPS oils?
Personally, I don't see downsides of using C3 oil instead of a full SAPS oil in light duty engine without extended drain intervals.
My buddy brought 2013 S60 T5 last afternoon, we used Penn Plat Euro LX this time, OCI is 4500 miles.

Just conservatism imo. they where late with direct injection aswell.
C3 should work, but all these engines were designed before A5/B5 was common, A1/B1 or A3/B4.
 
Why did Volvo not recommend C3 oils?
Is it due to long drain intervals they pushed for thus pushing for full SAPS oils?
Personally, I don't see downsides of using C3 oil instead of a full SAPS oil in light duty engine without extended drain intervals.
My buddy brought 2013 S60 T5 last afternoon, we used Penn Plat Euro LX this time, OCI is 4500 miles.
IMO it is strictly because C3 is not made for long drain intervals. My S80 calls for 10000 mi oil changes. Just look at the minimum TBN specs. I think C3 would work just as well as long as you didn't push it.
 
Well, the oil we used is C3, VW 504/507 and MB 229.52 certified, the VW spec is long interval oil, the spec has to pass 650 engine hours test, in most cases it means at least 10k miles oil.
 
Well, the oil we used is C3, VW 504/507 and MB 229.52 certified, the VW spec is long interval oil, the spec has to pass 650 engine hours test, in most cases it means at least 10k miles oil.

Just FYI MB229.5 have up to 19.000miles OCI 30.000k KM.
Not that I would follow that but anyway.
 
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