2.2DTi Oil

**si_hoss** · 16th December 2009, 15:27

Sorry, probably been asked a thousand times before, I need to change the oil in my 2.2DTi, so in Halfrauds their booklet says I need 5W30 FULLY Synthetic oil, which is £38 for 5litres! I'm thinking of using PART Synthetic as it's about £28 a tub.

Now the car is an '02 plate with 95k on the clock, is part synthetic ok? I will probably go to a local small motor factors for the oil, must be cheaper, I think Vx themselves might be cheaper too.

**James24** · 16th December 2009, 15:58

I'll get flamed in a minute, but I say make the investment in the 5w/30 fully-synth - it's the best you can get for your engine and will ensure maximum protection at all times. It's what the engine was designed to run best on.

It also means you can wait for the car to tell you it needs an oil change (up to 2 years depending on usage) where as semi-synth would need to be changed every year regardless, so may not even work out any cheaper in the long run.

A motor factor will probably sell some cheaper brands but make sure it meets the proper standard - GM-LL-A-025 and GM-LL-B-025. One of these is for petrol and one is for diesel but oils will meet both or neither.

I know there was a stink kicked up a few months ago when it turned out dealers hadn't been using the fully-synth stuff.

**jonnybravo** · 16th December 2009, 21:32

spot on james, if you can get GM-ll-B-025 Si you won't get better i get mine from costco about £22.00,I belive cost at halfords with bonus card is similar

**arnie_barney** · 16th December 2009, 21:54

I run my 2.2dti on semi synthetic. I know you have to change it more regularly than fully syn but I'm happy to change the oil at least once a year if not more. I do it the cheapest way and have bought a 40 gallon drum from a local breaker/parts guy. He only does vauxhall so I was able to buy a geninue drum of vauxhall semi syn oil of him for £180.
Now work out the math.
40 gallon drum actually contains 42 gallons = 159 litres
So that is £1.13 per litre.

Now thats a bit cheaper than Halfords fully syn at £38/5L = £7.60/L
or semi syn at £28/5L = £5.60/L

I'll get quite a few services out of that for my car and the wifes jeep.

**John LE** · 17th December 2009, 00:47

Originally Posted by jonnybravo

spot on james, if you can get GM-ll-B-025 Si you won't get better i get mine from costco about £22.00,I belive cost at halfords with bonus card is similar

I'll third using fully synth, I use 0W-30 Castrol edge which cost 45 quid for 4L (38 quid with the Halfords trade card)

The problem with the dti is that it isn't 5 litres it needs it 5.5

I was 62 quid for oil the last time I bought it

The car runs really smooth though and the MPG gained with using fully synth also balances the extra cost

**Celes** · 17th December 2009, 01:09

What is the benefit of using 0w30 over 5w30 oil?

**John LE** · 17th December 2009, 01:19

lol you tell me, never used 5w-30 in it, the oil was recommended by castrols website

**si_hoss** · 17th December 2009, 10:41

Thanks guys, I do about 20,0000 a year as commute from Herts to West London and also up to Birmingham on a weekly basis now, all for work mind so raking in the expenses

(I'm NOT am MP lol)

I think I'll go fully-synth as discussed above, I just wondered as it's a high mile car now and i'm not sure of it's history before 85,000!!!!

**diesel dog** · 17th December 2009, 11:24

Originally Posted by James24

It's what the engine was designed to run best on.

Well, actually, no it wasn't. It's an oil that enables VX etc to squeeze a little bit more mpg out of your car for the sake of the planet. They are quite happy running on semi-synth 10w-40.

Manufacturers are now under pressure to get as much mpg with fewer oil changes because of environmental issues, and its not actually for the good of your engine.

Originally Posted by James24

It also means you can wait for the car to tell you it needs an oil change (up to 2 years depending on usage) where as semi-synth would need to be changed every year regardless, so may not even work out any cheaper in the long run.

I wouldn't leave any oil in for two years if my driving was predominantly urban running.

Originally Posted by James24

I know there was a stink kicked up a few months ago when it turned out dealers hadn't been using the fully-synth stuff.

TBH I would rather VX put the Shell Helix semi-synth in rather than their 'home-make' fully-synth econo-oil. Did you know that the Shell Helix semi-synth actually has a higher Viscosity Index than VXs fully synth!?

**diesel dog** · 17th December 2009, 11:37

Originally Posted by si_hoss

I think I'll go fully-synth as discussed above, I just wondered as it's a high mile car now and i'm not sure of it's history before 85,000!!!!

Be warned that particularly on an high mileage engine, the 'thinner' oils have an habit of getting passed the turbo bearing oil seals and the valve stem guides.

You may be better off with the semi-synth 10w-40, and change it yearly.

If you use your engine particularly hard then try Castrols 'Edge' 10w-60.

VX are now starting to 'ween' customers off the LL oil because of "reliabilty concerns". Fair enough, if you're a 'rep' or whatever, then it makes economic sense to use an oil that gives more mpg and lasts for 2years/20,000 miles. But if you're a private motorist then do what's best for your engine and change the oil every year.