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why is it mechanics always recommend 15-40/50 when car manufacturers recommend 5-30/40

General mechanics usually carry 15w40 and 20w50 mineral oils to keep running costs down. These two oils will help service 95% of the cars they come across. The game is changing though, with many modern cars that call for 10w30 now entering their "non-genuine servicing" ages...requiring general mechanics to carry specialist oils too.

Most workshops that I supply oil to, I have convinced them to keep only Syn-X 10w40 and Hi-tech 20w50 in stock, as Syn-X is only slightly more expensive than mineral 15w40 by the 205 drum, and can be used where both 15w40 or 10w30 are needed.

I got motul turbolight 10w-40 for the n/a skyline :) 60 bucks a bottle opposed to 80 for 5w-50 mobil1 .. its run 93,000 ish

I use shell helix 15w-50 for my sexcel .. which has run about 265,000 ... only about 30 bucks a bottle :)

I got motul turbolight 10w-40 for the n/a skyline :) 60 bucks a bottle opposed to 80 for 5w-50 mobil1 .. its run 93,000 ish

I use shell helix 15w-50 for my sexcel .. which has run about 265,000 ... only about 30 bucks a bottle :)

turbo light isn't a full synthetic, should be able to get a full synthetic motul for $60-70 depending on where you buy

turbo light isn't a full synthetic, should be able to get a full synthetic motul for $60-70 depending on where you buy

Fml. I went to turbolight cos i prefer to change my oil more often with a good enough semi synthetic oil like the turbolight than a full synthetic like the mobil1 5w50 changed not as frequently ...

I got it from Repco?

My 34 also uses an awkward amount of oil .. 3.2-3.5L is enough for a topup usually so i could effectively get about 3 topups if i was to buy a second bottle. if it used more i wouldnt feel so bad changing oils more often but its such a waste to throw away the remaining 1.5-1.8L :(

I thought most skylines used about the 5L mark though ... no idea why my tank is so small

Then what - just use it. Pretty sure 8100 only comes in 5W-40, I have it in my car now for just over 2,000kms and no problems. Car runs smoothly, oil has turned dark brownish, can't notice any issues. I'd recommend 8100, either one.

8100 comes in multiple variations ov 0w20, 0w30, 5w30, 5w40 and 10w40

does anyone know if you can buy Motul300v or the Royal Purple at autobarn, repco etc?? prices??

chaddy autobarn has both... royal purple comes in at $100 or $200 depending and motul products range from around $55/5lt to $59/2lt

General mechanics usually carry 15w40 and 20w50 mineral oils to keep running costs down. These two oils will help service 95% of the cars they come across. The game is changing though, with many modern cars that call for 10w30 now entering their "non-genuine servicing" ages...requiring general mechanics to carry specialist oils too.

Most workshops that I supply oil to, I have convinced them to keep only Syn-X 10w40 and Hi-tech 20w50 in stock, as Syn-X is only slightly more expensive than mineral 15w40 by the 205 drum, and can be used where both 15w40 or 10w30 are needed.

shitloads of new cars now require 5w30 birdman.

My 34 also uses an awkward amount of oil .. 3.2-3.5L is enough for a topup usually so i could effectively get about 3 topups if i was to buy a second bottle. if it used more i wouldnt feel so bad changing oils more often but its such a waste to throw away the remaining 1.5-1.8L :(

wut...

LOL i just mean that since my car only uses 3.2-3.5L of oil 1.5-1.8L is remaining and if i was to change to a different oil itd be a waste of the remaining few litres

Um... I'm pretty sure it takes more than that, is your sump bashed in?

nah its in good shape ... im not too sure why it takes so little I thought it would take around abouts 5 as well?

I saw someone else with a n/a r34 and it only uses about 3.5 as well but we seem to be the exception ..

shitloads of new cars now require 5w30 birdman.

Yer. The general mechanics don't see too many of them because people ususally go genuine servicing on new vehicles. Every now and then I'll sell a 20 litre container of 5w30 to a mechanic servicing Euro cars, but it's rare.

nah its in good shape ... im not too sure why it takes so little I thought it would take around abouts 5 as well?

I saw someone else with a n/a r34 and it only uses about 3.5 as well but we seem to be the exception ..

Are you changing/draining the oil filter too? Draining oil when hot and waiting a good hour or two?

Yer. The general mechanics don't see too many of them because people ususally go genuine servicing on new vehicles. Every now and then I'll sell a 20 litre container of 5w30 to a mechanic servicing Euro cars, but it's rare.

Really? Falcons have been running on 5W30 since the AU? Not sure about the Commodes either but I would expect something similar.

Yer. The general mechanics don't see too many of them because people ususally go genuine servicing on new vehicles. Every now and then I'll sell a 20 litre container of 5w30 to a mechanic servicing Euro cars, but it's rare.

Are you changing/draining the oil filter too? Draining oil when hot and waiting a good hour or two?

yeap changing and draining the oil filter as well, and the oil was quite hot when we drained it .. never waited an hour + though didnt know i needed to confused.gif

You don't *have* to wait an hour, but there's quite a bit that slow drips out of the engine if you leave it there that long. No harm in getting out as much old oil as you can.

Really? Falcons have been running on 5W30 since the AU? Not sure about the Commodes either but I would expect something similar.

It is true the AU Falcon manual recommended that, but how many of them would still be running on 5w30? They were about the only car at the time, besides the Mazda Tribute off the top of my head, that asked for a 5w30. There was not much call for this oil in Australia until the last couple of years, hence many mechanics did not reglarly stock it and there weren't many oil manufacturers putting it out or pushing it as a major seller. Back around the time of the AU, the Commodores were still using the Buick engine, so I imagine the call for oil was still either a 15w40 or 20w50.

I changed my oil today, after much googling and reading about different oils i decided on Royal Purple, and so far im quite happy with it,

what ive noticed so far is watching my boost guage, the turbo seems to boost earlier and the whistle sounds crisper,, my old oil was MOBIL 1 Gold,

ive ditched mobil 1, and am convinced from what ive read that Mobil 1 is no longer the best oil, it has a reformulated lower Zddp than it previous formula of years gone by.

From my understanding the level of Zddp is very important in protecting against metal metal contact thus my choice of oil, API SM oils should be avoided

Royal Purple, Redline and motul 300v have high levels so they are my choice oils now... all of which are well priced

From my understanding the level of Zddp is very important in protecting against metal metal contact thus my choice of oil, API SM oils should be avoided

Your understanding sucks :)

From my understanding OIL is very important in protecting against metal/metal contact. Nothing wrong with SM. Many other parts in your engine will fail before it succumbs to the "adverse effects" of an SM oil.

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