Volvo V40 turbo - very short daily trips

[NikMA]

Hi all,

Wife's Volvo V40 is a 2.0L turbo with 94k miles on it. The manual recommends ACEA A1/A3 with 15k km OCI. I've been using Mobil1 0W40 since I bought the car 4 years ago and been changing the oil every 15k km. I'm in Malaysia with our daily max temperatures at around 91F. The car did had an oil leak issue after I used Amsoil flush but that is all fixed. It also has a new oil trap with new PCV plumbing. Otherwise the engine is running fine with little oil consumption.

This month wife got a new job that's very very close to home. Previously she was commuting 30 miles a day to work. Now she's travelling only 3 miles a day TOTAL, with the grocery trips a bit, I'm looking at about less than 100 miles a month . Occasionally over the weekend the V40 does get to be driven further but the most 30 miles as we have another bigger car for longer distance travelling.

With this driving conditions the V40 is seeing, my questions are

1. If I continue to use Mobil1 0W40, how short should my OCI be?
2. If it is better to continue using synthetics, is 0W40 still the best weight? Or should I get a thinner viscosity oil with the oil hardly getting enough time to be fully warmed up?
3. Just a thought, if my OCI would be short, would it be more cost effective to use a good quality dino and change it more often? Any problems with the engine being a turbo if I use a dino oil? The manual does specify synthetics but I also reckon they don't foresee the car subjecting to such short trips daily.

BTW, there are no local labs doing oil analysis. So I'm pretty much dependent on the forums expert advice!

Thanks!

 

[The motor guy]

Buy a bike.

 

[skyship]

If you are only short tripping cut the OCI from 10K to 5K miles. There is no need to change the oil filter every OCI, just do a full oil service every 10K and oil only every 5K miles. As far as I am aware if you check the oil finder web sites, the 2.0 ltr V40 does not have to use a full synthetic, but take a look at the Castrol, Mobil, Shell or Liqui Moly sites as they list alternative oils. If it's warm where you are the 0W rating is not needed and a 10/40 would be fine.
If you are starting to get oil leaks then think about switching to a major brand HM oil.

 

[JHZR2]

This is a situation where UOA really comes into play. My mother has a similar type commute and use, and she has to take the car because of the stuff she carries along. We found by UOA that the non-severe interval could be used despite the severe service when a good syn oil was utilized.

So 150k later, car still runs perfect and no oil issues despite the short trips

So I'd really do UOA for your specifics.

 

[bigjl]

My V50 handbook says to use A5/B5, full synth, oil if in severe service, which your wife's short trips are likely to be considered as.

A5/B5 is better than A1/B1 and I have never seen a semi synth A5/B5.

They don't advice lowering the oil change interval which did surprise me somewhat.

My wife's Clio has been run on Mobil 1 0w40 for most of its last three years but her journeys are much longer, though can be stop start. But with a 10 mile country road journey before the stop start starts.

Must admit if you can get Mobil 1 easily I would just stick with that but reduce your OCI.

Not sure how much oil and filters costs where you are.

But perhaps you could change the oil and filter at around 7.5k km's.

Or it might be fine to do just an oil change at 7.5k km's with an oil and filter change at 15k km's.

My reasoning is that the filter is fine for 15k km, so why not with some fresh oil in the middle.

I have done that several times, normally when short of time or when running a shorter OCI than normally specified.

I have done it on my Pathfinder and the Clio over the years with no ill effect.

It is relatively common for manufacturers to leave the filter in situ.

 

[skyship]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
This is a situation where UOA really comes into play. My mother has a similar type commute and use, and she has to take the car because of the stuff she carries along. We found by UOA that the non-severe interval could be used despite the severe service when a good syn oil was utilized.

So 150k later, car still runs perfect and no oil issues despite the short trips

So I'd really do UOA for your specifics.


Very true, but if in doubt cut the oil change interval until you can figure out the effects of the new useage. I don't see any reason why the OP can't just post a sample to Blackstones as I do from Germany, you don't have to use a lab in your own country.

 

[NikMA]

Originally Posted By: skyship

Very true, but if in doubt cut the oil change interval until you can figure out the effects of the new useage. I don't see any reason why the OP can't just post a sample to Blackstones as I do from Germany, you don't have to use a lab in your own country.

People have tried but our local post and even the private courier refuses to ship such material. Why? Dunno ... Closest anyone have been able to send UOA out to US is by having it shipped from Singapore

 

[skyship]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
My V50 handbook says to use A5/B5, full synth, oil if in severe service, which your wife's short trips are likely to be considered as.

A5/B5 is better than A1/B1 and I have never seen a semi synth A5/B5.

They don't advice lowering the oil change interval which did surprise me somewhat.

My wife's Clio has been run on Mobil 1 0w40 for most of its last three years but her journeys are much longer, though can be stop start. But with a 10 mile country road journey before the stop start starts.

Must admit if you can get Mobil 1 easily I would just stick with that but reduce your OCI.

Not sure how much oil and filters costs where you are.

But perhaps you could change the oil and filter at around 7.5k km's.

Or it might be fine to do just an oil change at 7.5k km's with an oil and filter change at 15k km's.

My reasoning is that the filter is fine for 15k km, so why not with some fresh oil in the middle.

I have done that several times, normally when short of time or when running a shorter OCI than normally specified.

I have done it on my Pathfinder and the Clio over the years with no ill effect.

It is relatively common for manufacturers to leave the filter in situ.


Good to hear you are doing alternate oil changes as they make a lot of sense in some situations. My 1.9TD V40 gets subject to a lot of short tripping so I do 10K km oil only changes with a 20K km full oil service.

 

[NikMA]

Originally Posted By: bigjl

Must admit if you can get Mobil 1 easily I would just stick with that but reduce your OCI.

Not sure how much oil and filters costs where you are.

But perhaps you could change the oil and filter at around 7.5k km's.

Or it might be fine to do just an oil change at 7.5k km's with an oil and filter change at 15k km's.

My reasoning is that the filter is fine for 15k km, so why not with some fresh oil in the middle.

I've done the oil change without filter before, but on another car. It's been a while.

Mobil1 is readily available here. So no problem. And the Volvo oil filers aren't that expensive.

Sounds like the strategy for shorter OCI for oil only with filter later is good!

A UOA would be nice though. That's something I'd have to pursue and find someway to get it shipped. From what I gather shipping oil stuff within the country is fine but not to other countries.

So if I can get an UOA sent, how soon can I send a sample? Is there a minimum mileage for best interpretation of results? Or can I send one from the next suggested UOA at 5k?

 

[skyship]

Is this the right engine??
Engine B4204T3

· Capacity : LubeCap 5,4 liter
: FilterCap 0,4 liter

· Use : Normal
· Intervals : Change 20000 km / 12 months
· Products : Top Tec 4100 5W-40
: Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40
: Synthoil High Tech 5W-40

Liqui Moly oil finder

Forget what I said about using dino oils as if that is the right 2 ltr engine it is supposed to use an HC synthetic or full G4 synthetic. The Mobil 0/40 you are using is a good oil and don't even think about moving to a thin oil with an older engine in a warm country.

 

[NikMA]

Originally Posted By: skyship
Is this the right engine??

Liqui Moly oil finder

The Mobil 0/40 you are using is a good oil and don't even think about moving to a thin oil with an older engine in a warm country.


Yes sir it is. Thanks for the advice!

 

[skyship]

The Queen hasn't knighted me just yet, but I am working on it!!
Does your postal service open all out going boxes, as I just hide my oil samples inside another box with the Blackstones certificate saying used oil is not defined as flammable.

 

[JOD]

I'd use a much thinner oil. I don't know if you have access to Sopus products over there, but Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 would be a good choice. It meets the ACEA spec required for the car and meets Honda's turbo spec, so it's suitable for any conditions the car may see, and it will be much thinner than what your using now. That's good, because the oil is going to be thicker than ideal no matter what viscosity you use.

Warnings about going to a thinner oil are nonsensical; given the driving habits the oil is going to spend all of its time being thicker than ideal. At least this way it'll be at least closer to the correct viscosity. If you don't have access to Sopus, M15W30 would be another good choice. It's slightly thicker than the PZ but is similar and meets the ACEA spec (and the Honda turbo spec).

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: JOD
I'd use a much thinner oil. I don't know if you have access to Sopus products over there, but Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 would be a good choice. It meets the ACEA spec required for the car and meets Honda's turbo spec, so it's suitable for any conditions the car may see, and it will be much thinner than what your using now. That's good, because the oil is going to be thicker than ideal no matter what viscosity you use.

Warnings about going to a thinner oil are nonsensical; given the driving habits the oil is going to spend all of its time being thicker than ideal. At least this way it'll be at least closer to the correct viscosity. If you don't have access to Sopus, M15W30 would be another good choice. It's slightly thicker than the PZ but is similar and meets the ACEA spec (and the Honda turbo spec).

+1

 

[demarpaint]

I'd use M1 0W40 and follow the OM recommendation for a severe service OCI. Once a month or so try and get the car out for a 30 minute run to burn off the junk building up in the oil. A UOA would be nice if you can get one done.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I'd use M1 0W40 and follow the OM recommendation for a severe service OCI. Once a month or so try and get the car out for a 30 minute run to burn off the junk building up in the oil. A UOA would be nice if you can get one done.


I'm curious why you would recommend a lubricant that is thicker than recommended by the manufacturer for ANY conditions, let alone being driven for 5 minutes at a time? What benefit do you feel it would provide?

 

[skyship]

Originally Posted By: JOD
I'd use a much thinner oil. I don't know if you have access to Sopus products over there, but Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 would be a good choice. It meets the ACEA spec required for the car and meets Honda's turbo spec, so it's suitable for any conditions the car may see, and it will be much thinner than what your using now. That's good, because the oil is going to be thicker than ideal no matter what viscosity you use.

Warnings about going to a thinner oil are nonsensical; given the driving habits the oil is going to spend all of its time being thicker than ideal. At least this way it'll be at least closer to the correct viscosity. If you don't have access to Sopus, M15W30 would be another good choice. It's slightly thicker than the PZ but is similar and meets the ACEA spec (and the Honda turbo spec).


Castrol list 0, 5 and 10/40 for the early V40's and 5w30 for the later models. Liqui Moly just say 5w40 for all of them and the V40 2.0 folks in the Volvo UK forum nearly all use a 5 or 10/40 to keep the oil consumption low.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: skyship
Originally Posted By: JOD
I'd use a much thinner oil. I don't know if you have access to Sopus products over there, but Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 would be a good choice. It meets the ACEA spec required for the car and meets Honda's turbo spec, so it's suitable for any conditions the car may see, and it will be much thinner than what your using now. That's good, because the oil is going to be thicker than ideal no matter what viscosity you use.

Warnings about going to a thinner oil are nonsensical; given the driving habits the oil is going to spend all of its time being thicker than ideal. At least this way it'll be at least closer to the correct viscosity. If you don't have access to Sopus, M15W30 would be another good choice. It's slightly thicker than the PZ but is similar and meets the ACEA spec (and the Honda turbo spec).


The major oil companies list the oil spec as 0 or 5w40 and that is based on recommendations from Volvo. The handbook might include 5/30's, but very few owners of older Volvos use a 5w30 as it increases the oil consumption. Volvo are very good at giving correct info about oil grades and there is a table of temperature ranges against grades in the handbook and it even lists 15w40 as the best for a hot climate.


I'm really confused as to why "major oil company" recommendations should supersede what the manufacturer itself recommends?

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/pdf/VolvoOilChart2007UKv5.pdf

Note this is their European recommendation, so any claims about "CAFE" aren't relevant. Volvo do not recommend an A3-rated oil for that engine and they never have. Additionally, you're completely ignoring the driving conditions.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me the benefit of using an oil heavier than spec'd in a car that's not even going to get to operating temperatures?

 

[FoxS]

A lot of folks have given advice without realizing the OP said the vehicle will be doing 1200 miles a year.

So telling him to change oil at half the 10k interval would still be 4 years!

OP: I suggest splitting your weekly long trips between your two vehicles to make sure the Volvo gets a chance to operate at temperature. Indeed, I presume you commute with the other vehicle so consider swapping twice a week to even things up.

M1 0w40 is an excellent oil. I have it in my wife's Mercedes which gets short trips exactly like your Volvo. But I also make sure it gets out on long trips and drive it as fast as possible. But above all, it's an oil that meets the spec for the vehicle.

So the question for you is what does your owners manual say? And why would you want to deviate from that?

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: FoxS

M1 0w40 is an excellent oil. I have it in my wife's Mercedes which gets short trips exactly like your Volvo. But I also make sure it gets out on long trips and drive it as fast as possible. But above all, it's an oil that meets the spec for the vehicle.


Actually, it doesn't.