Hey, you guys might be interested in this. In fact, I should make this a brand new post.
So I emailed Castrol and Valvoline asking if they had any oils that would meet the qualifications for this motor. I mean it says Castrol oil recommended right on the oil cap. These are the two responses I received.
Hello, Volvo recommends Castrol. This particular vehicle requires an oil that is ACEA A5/B5 rating. Which of your products do I use? I am in Idaho.
Thank you,
Thank you for contacting Castrol North America.
Castrol EDGE 5W-30, Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 5W-30, and Castrol EDGE Professional 5W-30 oils all transitioned to ACEA A5/B5 on April 1, 2017.
Please note that the specification for ACEA A5/B5 changed in 2015 and as a result, Castrol EDGE 5W-30, Castrol EDGE Extended Performance 5W-30 and Castrol EDGE Professional 5W-30 oils did not meet the new ACEA A5/B5 specification for a little while however since the change at that time was a bio-diesel oxidation test that our oils did not meet, Volvo still accepted/accepts the use of the above mentioned Castrol oils in their vehicles in North America.
Volvo dealerships primarily sell Castrol EDGE Professional 5W-30.
Castrol Consumer Relations
And from Valvoline:
Stephen, thank you for contacting Valvoline Product Support with your question.
For an API rating ACEA A5/B5: the only product we have that cover that specification would be Valvoline Full Synthetic with MaxLife Technology. The only Viscosity we would have for you application would be 5W-30. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via phone at 800 TEAM VAL or by email at
[email protected] for assistance.
Thank you and have a great day.
Mary
Mary Product Support