Engine Oil

Hi there,

I have an Autosleeper:

Harmony
2002
Diesel
45000 miles


Which engine oil should I be using.? There seem to be so many to choose from!

Thank you in anticipation,



Ken

you have omitted the most important bit of information - what engine is it, (model, size, turbo or not)

Go to www.opieoils.co.uk pop your reg number in the vehicle box and it should give you the right grade and various options of brand choice. For me in the recent past I've used Shell which when on offer seems as cheap as any and obviously is a major brand, others will have their own favourites.

Okie oils always use them first class service.

Your base vehicle handbook should tell you the grade of oil, Ken.

Mrgeoffrey wrote:Go to www.opieoils.co.uk pop your reg number in the vehicle box and it should give you the right grade and various options of brand choice. For me in the recent past I've used Shell which when on offer seems as cheap as any and obviously is a major brand, others will have their own favourites.

I tried this link for my vehicle, unfortunately they stock it...0/30 Ineo first..or an equivalent ..grrr

Ray

Interestingly my 2012 Euro V Puegeot 2.2 has 5W 30 Total Ineo recommended.  I found it at under £23 for 5 litres on Ebay and it came nexr day!  Perfect!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223433915251 is the link.

As Tinwheeler says, the first place to look is in the base van's Owner's Handbook, as that will give grade and, more importantly, the specification that the oil must meet. Don't skimp on the spec, as some engines are very fussy about their oil.

 Don't skimp on the spec, as some engines are very fussy about their oil.

Remember you are driving a glorified delivery van not a Ferrari - indeed as delivery vans go motor homes have an easy life.

I think that some VWs can be a bit precious about their oil but generally any reputable make of the appropriate SAE is OK.

Have you noticed that when the price of crude oil drops (massively last week) the cost of engine oil never follows?!!

Stick to what the handbook says, if it states 5-30 C2 then that is it.

What the difference is between C2 and C3 I have no idea.

I hate to think what some garages use.

My old man used to use Castrol commercial sold in glass bottles, but then that was on a Standard 12 with no bits you find on modern vehicles.
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Richard

Have you noticed that when the price of crude oil drops (massively last week) the cost of engine oil never follows?!!

Oil is priced in US$ so any change is price is affected by the UK£ -US$ exchange rate at the minute the pound is weak and the dollar is strong

Although I would guess that very little of the cost of a gallon of engine is come from the price of crude

raymondo wrote:

 Don't skimp on the spec, as some engines are very fussy about their oil.

Remember you are driving a glorified delivery van not a Ferrari - indeed as delivery vans go motor homes have an easy life.

I think that some VWs can be a bit precious about their oil but generally any reputable make of the appropriate SAE is OK.

Indeed - the 2.5l engine fitted to the pre-facelift T5 is half of the V10 engine only used on one or two other vehicles. Using the wrong spec of oil in it is a good way to go about destroying its rather-too-soft camshaft.

But anyway, the best point of reference IMO is to look at what the manufacturer recommends (in the Owner's Handbook) and just use that. Sure, you save money getting cheap oil from Tescos, but new engines are expensive (and in fact IIRC you can no longer get a new R5 engine from VW, even if you wanted to).

rgermain wrote:Stick to what the handbook says, if it states 5-30 C2 then that is it.

What the difference is between C2 and C3 I have no idea.

I hate to think what some garages use.

My old man used to use Castrol commercial sold in glass bottles, but then that was on a Standard 12 with no bits you find on modern vehicles.
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Richard

Low saps diesel ( sulphated ash, phosphorous sulphur )
For diesel engines fitted with a diesel particulate filter ( DPF) - a filter unit in the exhaust takes out the microscopic soot particles.
Regular diesel oils used in engines that have a DPF can cause the filter to become blocked with ash.
So this performance of C1,2,3, is as follows.


C1 low saps (0.5% ash) fuel efficient.

C2 mid saps (0.8% ash) fuel efficient, performance.

C3 mid saps (0.8 ash )  

Regards Gren..

gonromin wrote:

rgermain wrote:Stick to what the handbook says, if it states 5-30 C2 then that is it.

What the difference is between C2 and C3 I have no idea.

I hate to think what some garages use.

My old man used to use Castrol commercial sold in glass bottles, but then that was on a Standard 12 with no bits you find on modern vehicles.
----------
Richard

Low saps diesel ( sulphated ash, phosphorous sulphur )
For diesel engines fitted with a diesel particulate filter ( DPF) - a filter unit in the exhaust takes out the microscopic soot particles.
Regular diesel oils used in engines that have a DPF can cause the filter to become blocked with ash.
So this performance of C1,2,3, is as follows.


C1 low saps (0.5% ash) fuel efficient.

C2 mid saps (0.8% ash) fuel efficient, performance.

C3 mid saps (0.8 ash )  

Regards Gren..

Thank you for explaining the types of oil.
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Richard