which oil do you use

**tomo610** · 21st December 2010, 17:28

Hi i have a 2.2 dti 2003 with 75000 miles .
which oil would you recommend 5/30 or 10/40

**diesel dog** · 21st December 2010, 18:44

VX recommend 5w30 changed annually on "privately owned" cars these days.

However, if you are thinking of tuning your motor, it may be better to go for a 5w40 rather than the 5w30, which tends to suffer a bit under hard use. Make sure it's fully-synthetic oil ( you don't have to buy the very expensive 'real' synthetics).

It may also be better that you use a slightly thicker oil (5w40) now that your engine as 75,000 miles on it. It tends not to get passed the piston rings, valve stem oil seals and turbo bearing oil seals quite so easily.

**AntSSSS** · 21st December 2010, 19:23

use VX oil.. Tis good stuff for the cost... 5 litres of there 5/30 fully synth is £16 all in on trade club.. Cant beat that..
Its long life stuff too so good to VW / Ford / BMs etc that require long life oil

**John LE** · 21st December 2010, 19:26

I personally use Mobil1 0W-40, excellent fuel economy, plenty of power although it it a tad louder when running

**diesel dog** · 21st December 2010, 20:19

Originally Posted by AntSSSS

use VX oil.. Tis good stuff for the cost... 5 litres of there 5/30 fully synth is £16 all in on trade club.. Cant beat that..
Its long life stuff too so good to VW / Ford / BMs etc that require long life oil

Long life stuff was a good thing for the 'reps' of this world. Most privately used Vectra's tend to have it changed annually these days. Even the semi-synth 10w40 stuff can stand that.

Local VX dealer uses Shell oils for servicing!

**AntSSSS** · 21st December 2010, 20:26

Oh dont get me wrong - i would NEVER recommend anything but once a year or 10k miles for an oil change regardless of make / brand etc.. TBH for me I even recommend sooner if money suits for people..

the VX branded 'long life' 5w30 is low ash - hence why thats the one i recommend.. plus its unbeatable on TC

**diesel dog** · 21st December 2010, 20:29

Originally Posted by AntSSSS

Oh dont get me wrong - i would NEVER recommend anything but once a year or 10k miles for an oil change regardless of make / brand etc.. TBH for me I even recommend sooner if money suits for people..

Definitely! Possibly six monthly changes with a tuning box or remapped engine that's a little bit passed its best years.

**AntSSSS** · 21st December 2010, 20:32

Originally Posted by diesel dog

Definitely! Possibly six monthly changes with a tuning box or remapped engine that's a little bit passed its best years.

Agree!!. This is what I do on my standard 150 - thats only on 45k...

Another good rule.. it wasnt until 2003 ish that VX recommended 5w30 fully synth.. So if the car has had 10w40 from the factory and still does, and you are running a 'normal' millage car, stick with 10w40 semi.. Changing to 5w30 fully at 70k plus when its been run on 10w40 can cause excess leaks.

**AntSSSS** · 21st December 2010, 20:41

Originally Posted by diesel dog

Local VX dealer uses Shell oils for servicing!

Thats interesting mate.. So does your dealer not use VX Branded oil..

VX Branded oil is actually AC Delco

recognice the look of the bottle :

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**diesel dog** · 21st December 2010, 20:48

Originally Posted by AntSSSS

Agree!!. This is what I do on my standard 150 - thats only on 45k...

Another good rule.. it wasnt until 2003 ish that VX recommended 5w30 fully synth.. So if the car has had 10w40 from the factory and still does, and you are running a 'normal' millage car, stick with 10w40 semi.. Changing to 5w30 fully at 70k plus when its been run on 10w40 can cause excess leaks.

I heard this too. Better to stick with what its used to. You can't expect a '30' oil to protect in the same way a '40' oil did, whether or not its fully-synth.