Sergei's Celebration
Well-known member
Last night I topped up the car's engine oil and then realised it was for my previous motor, then starting wondering if it actually mattered. I am really bothered but am interested.
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Does what engine oil you use matter?
- Thread starter Sergei's Celebration
- Start date
Seagull over Canaryland
Well-known member
I think it mainly relates to whether you have a diesel or petrol engine, as the oil is normally designed to suit the different characteristics of these plus very important to use the correct oil if you have a turbocharger running at very high revs and temperatures. I'm not sure if its a good idea to mix synthetic with traditional type oils either.
Plus I suspect there is a bit of a scam going on - I went to buy some engine oil last week and found the prices varied wildly with the Castrol version was £5 a litre (!) more than the manufacturers own pukka branded stuff (Honda).
I suppose any oil is better than none at all - I wonder how many punters even bother to check their oil / tyre pressures / water etc or just wait for the warning light to come on or worse?
Plus I suspect there is a bit of a scam going on - I went to buy some engine oil last week and found the prices varied wildly with the Castrol version was £5 a litre (!) more than the manufacturers own pukka branded stuff (Honda).
I suppose any oil is better than none at all - I wonder how many punters even bother to check their oil / tyre pressures / water etc or just wait for the warning light to come on or worse?
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,465
it depends how old the car is, older ones are more tolerant, and i think petrol needs different charateristics to diesel. if it matches the spec, its probably OK. if it doesnt, then there will damage over the long term.
What was your old car and what's your new one?
GingerBeerMan
3-0
- Dec 29, 2011
- 8,263
Engine oil is the most important thing needed for the combustion engine to operate properly and efficiently. Skimping out of cheaper oil will be detrimental in the long run. It's not like you need a lot of oil to keep it topped up so buying cheaper/more expensive stuff won't hurt the pocket that much either.
BensGrandad
New member
My view is that any oil, provided it is for the correct fuel type engine, is better than no oil at all.
The spec matters a lot if you a high performance car or a car with a 'longlife' service schedule, then you might have to put the £5 a litre stuff in. By spec, I don't mean the SAE5W/30 type number, this is just a viscosity designation. The spec will define whether a base mineral oil, a semi-synthetic or fully synthetic oil is required. A fully synthetic will keep it's viscosity and other properties for longer. There may be other requirements because there are additives in cheaper oils that will damage catalysts in a new car (not instantly but over a period of time). If its a common manufacturers spec like VW504 you can look for it on the can.
If unsure, check the handbook or you can use an online option like Car oil recommendations and motorbike oil recommendations.
If unsure, check the handbook or you can use an online option like Car oil recommendations and motorbike oil recommendations.
- Jul 7, 2003
- 48,523
Judging by the number of punters I deal with, standing forlornly by their cars on the side of the M23/A23/A27 in the pissing rain with a smoking/steaming engine or ragged, punctured tyre, I'd say hardly any.
Sergei's Celebration
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #11
Vectra '56 petrol now a focus '51 petrol.
I always check my tire pressures every week and oil about once a month, unlike a mate of mine who thinks cars run on magic and marshmallows.
otk
~(.)(.)~
Rtfm
- Jul 7, 2003
- 48,523
fatfingers
New member
F.Y.I.
Ford focus zetec petrol?? ..... 5w30 fully synthetic oil required
Vauxhall Vectra petrol ..... 5w30 fully synthetic LONG LIFE OIL required
if using the oil for the vectra you should be fine to use it in the focus
general rule though is to always consult your handbook and use the recomended oil grade
Ford focus zetec petrol?? ..... 5w30 fully synthetic oil required
Vauxhall Vectra petrol ..... 5w30 fully synthetic LONG LIFE OIL required
if using the oil for the vectra you should be fine to use it in the focus
general rule though is to always consult your handbook and use the recomended oil grade
Sergei's Celebration
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #16
Think you'll be ok tbh
thanks guys, reassuring and informative.
grubbyhands
Well-known member
Pogue Mahone
Well-known member
- Apr 30, 2011
- 11,074
What an idiot. Marshmallows make no difference whatsoever.
Sergei's Celebration
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #19
But everyone can take a small amount of O- (neg) blood, its the universal donor.
Bwian
Kiss my (_!_)
- Jul 14, 2003
- 15,898
Not any more.
New Diesels fitted with a DPF need low SAPS oil as an example. Wrong oil can increase the soot load on a DPF and coupled with low mileage, stop-start type driving and the DPF can clog up requiring help to regenerate properly. Modern engines need the correct oils-put the wrong stuff in once and you'll probably have no problems. Probably best to put the correct oil in and make that the best you can afford too.