Vectra Oil Change

[paulmatty]

I am going to do an oil change and service on my 2003 2.2DTi SRi Vectra.
What oil can I use for the change.
I change my oil every 10k miles so I am not too fussed on the ECOFlex service thing that vauxhall do. I only ask cos I dont want to pay 50 quid for oil if there is a safe alternative. I dont normally do the oil change myself my brother in law used to do it so I didnt care about cost (he got got it for free cos he worked for Vauxhall).
Also I want to change the fuel filter but wondered if I needed to do anything special when the new filter is in, i.e. do I need to bleed the fuel system with it being diesel?
Thanks in advance
Paul

[m8internet]

If you are changing the oil every 10K miles then go for at least 10w40 part synthetic
However, the more you spend / the higher the spec the better
The correct GM oil from dealerships isn't actually all that expensive, compared to the other main brands equivalent
£50 for 8 litres of oil is about the going rate; 1 complete bottle, plus a little left over for spare and topups until the next oil change

[paulmatty]

Thank you for your reply.
I am not an expert on oil by any stretch of the imagination but am I right in thinking that 10w 40 semi synthetic is 'worse' than 5w 30 semi synthetic or can someone explain it better than that.
Thanks
Paul

[Big Dave]

The 5w/30 is a fully synth oil, not semi.

And yes, regarding quality, the 5w/30 is better.

[Handyandy-UK]

I get mine changed roughly every 6 months at my local National Tyres.... oil & filter (booked online 10% off) is usually under £40 for my 3.2 GSi. They list the oils they use on their site and you can add flush for about another £5.
Added extras being that if anything isn't right you're covered by their guarantee, you don't have to dispose of old oil and filter and you get the free visual check while it's up on the lift too.

Certainly worth looking at.

[m8internet]

National Tyres.... oil & filter (booked online 10% off) is usually under £40 for my 3.2 GSi

I had a quote from Kwik Fit for an oil and filter change many months ago (and posted here somewhere), however they couldn't honour it as they later realised when pricing up the the oil filter it was going to cost them money!
A few days later they reconfirmed the price and it was £5 higher than the VX dealership I use
National Tyres refused to quote as soon as I mentioned a 3.0 turbo diesel

[fikse]

I have the same engine, and was advised by my dealer to change at least twice as often as the flexiecowhateverintervaldummy tells me. The more often, the better. On my former cars I have changed oil every 9-10.000KMs, approx every 6.000Miles, and use a rather cheap brand oil with the viscousity I prefer.
Reagrding oil and viscousity, the numbers is NOT a number for quality. The absolutely best engine oil I have ever tried was a single grade SAE 30 oil. It is a pure racingoil, useless for cold winters, etc., but perfect for a day at the track.
The lowest number gives you a hint how "thin" and useable the oil is in cold weather/winter. Both 0, 5 and 10 should be good for driving in GB. The upper number gives a hint how thin/thick the oil is in high temps.
To make it short, and AFAIK:
A 5W-30 will be a fully syntetic oil, and in general of acceptable quality (since 5W-30 is a bit "complicated" to produce, and the cheapest brands woun't have it).
Ill guess you will find that the GM oil has a OK price compared to other brands. Remember to change filter and gaskets also.

If you are tired to change oils, and want a oil that really can be used for a long period, you should have a look at http://www.royalpurple.co.uk Don't know how it is priced in UK, but here in Norway it is absolutely affordable. And the oil is some of the best money can buy

[Handyandy-UK]

I had a quote from Kwik Fit for an oil and filter change many months ago (and posted here somewhere), however they couldn't honour it as they later realised when pricing up the the oil filter it was going to cost them money!
A few days later they reconfirmed the price and it was £5 higher than the VX dealership I use
National Tyres refused to quote as soon as I mentioned a 3.0 turbo diesel

They're called 'oil burners' for a reason ... they run on oil and burn a hole in your pocket

[dv8]

I get mine changed roughly every 6 months at my local National Tyres.... oil & filter (booked online 10% off) is usually under £40 for my 3.2 GSi. They list the oils they use on their site and you can add flush for about another £5.
Added extras being that if anything isn't right you're covered by their guarantee, you don't have to dispose of old oil and filter and you get the free visual check while it's up on the lift too.

Certainly worth looking at.

Yep, just tried national, only £39 for an oil/filter (for upto 7 litres of castrol edge 0-30), plus 10% onlne discount... not bad!

[m8internet]

Yep, just tried national, only £39 for an oil/filter (for upto 7 litres of castrol edge 0-30), plus 10% onlne discount... not bad!

Try getting a quote for an engine over 2.0 litres!