C3 oil choices in Australia

[drew2]

I'm new to diesel motors and have recently acquired a 2018 toyota prado with the 1GD-FTV 2.8 and DPF - the manual specifies c2 0w30 or 5w30, but from what I can see it should be able to run on C3.

What are some of the better oil choices in Australia currently? I'm looking for ACEA C3 in either 0w30 or 5w30, and from what I understand, some of the strongest specifications to look for are VW504/507 along with Porsche c30 and MB 229.52.

The Mobil 1 ESP in 5w30 looks great, but is more expensive than some of the others.
Then there is the Shell ultra ECT C2/C3 0w30.
Does anyone have much experience with the Penrite Enviro 5W30 and Nulon Apex+ 5w30 Euro? They both appear to meet the specs but are somewhat cheaper.
There is also Castrol Edge LL 5w30 but does not meet MB229.52 (has 229.51). I haven't found a Valvoline that has these specs.
Thank you for any thoughts

 

[JavierH19]

Yeah these oils are fairly similar. Many are dual rated. Any oil that meets those specifications for diesel applications is fine to use. Low saps oils like these are important for preserving emissions equipment though that's not an issue until it gets burned in the first place. But remember these engines are allowed to burn x amount of oil in x amount of mileage (depends where you are since these rules differ) since day 1 and not need to be warrantied so it's basically priced in that they can burn x amount of low saps oil in the warranty period without them having to warranty it. An engine that doesn't burn can run higher saps like 10w30 or 15w40's hdeo's. What's your oil consumption.

 

[yowps3]

SHU 0w30 is good stuff.

 

[YZJB]

Nulon APEX+ Multi 23 5w30 would be perfect. It’s C2 and C3, MB 229.52 etc. etc. so meets some very stringent specs and is Aussie made and good value especially when on sale. I use it in heaps of cars and it’s really good stuff.

 

[kschachn]

Nulon APEX+ Multi 23 5w30 would be perfect. It’s C2 and C3, MB 229.52 etc. etc. so meets some very stringent specs and is Aussie made and good value especially when on sale. I use it in heaps of cars and it’s really good stuff.

Does it have Mercedes-Benz 229.52 approval?

"Meets some very stringent specs" isn't the same as having an approval.

 

[YZJB]

Does it have Mercedes-Benz 229.52 approval?

"Meets some very stringent specs" isn't the same as having an approval.

It is not on Mercedes’ list, however it is the same exact formula as Fuchs Titan GT-1 Flex 23 5w30 which is MB 229.52 approved. The Nulon is the Fuchs product in a different bottle, so I see that as close enough to ‘approved’.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Even the cheapest C2 or C3 is C2 or C3, so just shop on price, unless you like a certain brand name or the coolest looking bottle

 

[kschachn]

It is not on Mercedes’ list, however it is the same exact formula as Fuchs Titan GT-1 Flex 23 5w30 which is MB 229.52 approved. The Nulon is the Fuchs product in a different bottle, so I see that as close enough to ‘approved’.

Well either it’s approved or it isn’t, there really is no such thing as close enough to approved.

 

[YZJB]

Well either it’s approved or it isn’t, there really is no such thing as close enough to approved.

It’s an approved oil poured into a different bottle. Good enough for me.

 

[yowps3]

Nice sale on SHU 0w30
GTL base oil and good approvals.
Probably one of the best motor oils around.

https://shoplubricants.vivaenergy.c.../shell-helix-ultra-ect-c2c3-0w30-5l-910281389

 

[drew2]

Thanks so much for all the help. At that current sale price with the SHU I think I'll give it a go, appreciate the link.

 

[drew2]

Ive been using the SHU 0W30 and with the recent 40deg C plus days we've been getting lately I swapped it out to Mobil 1 ESP 5w30. Might try the Nylon ApexEuro 5w30 next (currently on special).
Why dont Toyota (and othe Japanese manufacturers recommend the 229.52 and VW 504/507 specs for the 1gd-ftv. They seem to recommend the Dexos c3 oil instead, but from everything I read the specs on the euro oils are much tougher standards

 

[YZJB]

Ive been using the SHU 0W30 and with the recent 40deg C plus days we've been getting lately I swapped it out to Mobil 1 ESP 5w30. Might try the Nylon ApexEuro 5w30 next (currently on special).
Why dont Toyota (and othe Japanese manufacturers recommend the 229.52 and VW 504/507 specs for the 1gd-ftv. They seem to recommend the Dexos c3 oil instead, but from everything I read the specs on the euro oils are much tougher standards

No need to change from 0w30 to 5w30 for hot days. There will be no discernible difference between the two.

229.52 and 507 oils are C3.

 

[drew2]

Thanks for that, I thought the 5w30 Mobil1 might be slightly thicker, and might not shear as much with the 1gd cam chain.
Just wondering why the Jap. manufacturers dont recommend the euro specifications if theyre much more stringent specifications. Correct me if Im wrong, but am I sort of on the right track with thinking that C3 Dexos oils arent as strong as the c30, vw 540/507, mb 229.52 specs

 

[YZJB]

Thanks for that, I thought the 5w30 Mobil1 might be slightly thicker, and might not shear as much with the 1gd cam chain.
Just wondering why the Jap. manufacturers dont recommend the euro specifications if theyre much more stringent specifications. Correct me if Im wrong, but am I sort of on the right track with thinking that C3 Dexos oils arent as strong as the c30, vw 540/507, mb 229.52 specs

Shell Helix Ultra 0w30 is 0.1cst thicker than Mobil1 ESP 5w30 (at 100 deg. C) and it won’t shear more than the Mobil. They’re both excellent oils and both will stay in grade over an oil change interval with no problems.

C3 is not a Dexos spec. C3 is a Euro spec. Every 229.52 and 507 oil is by default also C3.

Toyota wouldn’t recommend a Mercedes-Benz or VW spec. as that wouldn’t make sense. Why would a Toyota owners manual tell the owner to use a Mercedes oil?

 

[drew2]

Ok, thankyou for explaining, I see what you're saying.
I didnt realise the SHU was so similar to the Mobil1. Is the Nulon apex euro c3 5w30 similar cst?

 

[SR5]

The general standards that all can use are either the American standard API and ILSAC, or the European standard ACEA (e.g. C3 for mid-SAPS or A3/B4 for high SAPS).

This is what most Japanese companies do.

However some companies use these as a base and then add extra requirements on top.

Eg. For GM their Dexos1 starts as a SP / GF-6 oil with extra requirements. Dexos2 starts as a C3 oil plus extra requirements. Similar for VW (Volkswagen) and MB (Mercedes-Benz) which are based on ACEA foundations.

No way is Toyota going to say to use a Mercedes-Benz or GM oil. Too close to saying “and buy one of their cars”.

 

[YZJB]

Ok, thankyou for explaining, I see what you're saying.
I didnt realise the SHU was so similar to the Mobil1. Is the Nulon apex euro c3 5w30 similar cst?

cst@100deg. C:

Nulon APEX+ Euro C3 5w30: 11.5
Shell Helix Ultra C2/C3 0W-30: 11.9
Mobil1 ESP C3 5w30: 11.8

 

[SR5]

Both C2 and C3 are SA% <= 0.8%. Or mid-SAPS oils. This is the sulphated ash (SA%) in the oil due to the metallic add pack (e.g the TBN detergent and the ZDDP zinc anti-wear agent). Lower SA% protects your DPF exhaust filter.

The difference between C2 and C3 is the HTHS (oil thickness in action), with C2 requiring >= 2.9 cP while C3 requires >= 3.5 cP. Obviously if it's above 3.5 cP (C3) then it's also above 2.9 cP (C2) so a thicker oil can claim both, but a thinner oil will only be C2. Now if C2 only oil is enough for your car (2.9 cP) and I think it is. Then running a C2 and C3 oil (3.5 cP) is the performance solution

 

[YZJB]

Both C2 and C3 are SA% <= 0.8%. Or mid-SAPS oils. This is the sulphated ash (SA%) in the oil due to the metallic add pack (e.g the TBN detergent and the ZDDP zinc anti-wear agent). Lower SA% protects your DPF exhaust filter.

The difference between C2 and C3 is the HTHS (oil thickness in action), with C2 requiring >= 2.9 cP while C3 requires >= 3.5 cP. Obviously if it's above 3.5 cP (C3) then it's also above 2.9 cP (C2) so a thicker oil can claim both, but a thinner oil will only be C2. Now if C2 only oil is enough for your car (2.9 cP) and I think it is. Then running a C2 and C3 oil (3.5 cP) is the performance solution

Spot on. Which is why SHU 0w30 is the ideal choice here.