oil

[Griffy]

In another thread I may have recommended Mannol oil - large German brand sold on ebay, etc, at very good prices, but have subsequently read that they are being investigated for price dumping after complaints from UK blenders- apparently using base stock oil which may be sanction busting/laundered.

I have no idea what any of that means but it doesn't sound good!

 

[Griffy]

So Halfords oil would do the job then. What intervals count as short and long though? I see 6k miles is the recommended figure?

 

[Andyzz]

So Halfords oil would do the job then. What intervals count as short and long though? I see 6k miles is the recommended figure?

I have always changed my engine oil 3000 miles or less depending if I've done a lot of short journeys Watch for very short videos On two Japanese Top Engine builders.

 

[Rares]

So Halfords oil would do the job then. What intervals count as short and long though? I see 6k miles is the recommended figure?

Depends what price the halfords oil is. You can shop around and get something like Castrol or Mobil 1 for a good price . Last oil change before I sold the car was with Valvoline hybrid for £41.65 5L.

 

[Tim C]

Mine can easily lose half a litre or more of oil every 6 months. Some vq35 engines burn oil and some don't.

Just noticed this post from some time ago. It turned out that my engine was actually screwed (I serviced it twice a year, so maybe it wasn't looked after in Japan) and I sold it for parts when the engine destroyed itself. Maybe the ones that burn oil really are the bad ones.

 

[MarkT]

What intervals count as short and long though? I see 6k miles is the recommended figure?

The manual states every year, or 15,000 km (10,000 miles).

Somewhere official (can't remember where) it also states that if you're doing mainly short journeys to do it every 7500km (5000 miles).

HOWEVER... these figures are not for people keeping the car as long as us, to as high a mileage as (some of) us... treat these as a minimum and aim for more frequent changes.

I aim for every 3000 miles on the basis that I want to hold off buying a new car for as long as possible. Obviously people that lease cars or own them for only a few years can get away with nearly zero maintenance

 

[Adam1990]

I'm currently using Millers Oils XF Premium ECO 5w-30 Fully Synthetic, it's only £33.95 for 5 litres from www.opieoils.co.uk. Millers have a good reputation and they're a British company.

Not sure if it's the oil i'm using at the moment or if my van has just had a very good service history but the oil on the dipstick is still honey coloured after 11 months and 6500km. It was also pointed out when I had my rocker cover gaskets done that the insides of the engine were extremely clean.

I've never brought really cheap oil and probably never will.. I could just be wasting my money because I could be just paying for the brand but I have never had any engine failures using Castrol Edge or Millers oils in my BMW's. So I go with the mindset that by buying the more expensive oil's I'm saving money not having expensive engine issues.

 

[Algrand]

Just looking to do an oil change, going with

5L Castrol Edge Synthetic 5W30 A3/B4

What filters brands are people using/recommending?

Have done 7k since last changed, so will do it irrespective as about to do a big euro trip, however interested in peoples thoughts about higher quality oil and actually checking the oil colour to determine when it should be changed.

 

[MarkT]

Just looking to do an oil change, going with

5L Castrol Edge Synthetic 5W30 A3/B4

Cool. Complies with API SL so suitable for the E51

What filters brands are people using/recommending?

I just use any one - I ain't racing so they'll all do their job, and cheaper and replacing more frequently likely beats expensive and replacing less frequently. Especially as higher performance filters filter out less stuff.

The re-usable ones that you spray with oil I see as an opportunity to use too much on and coat the MAF sensor but they seem great value for people that won't spray too much on 'em... though I think they may also filter less out...

interested in peoples thoughts about higher quality oil and actually checking the oil colour to determine when it should be changed.

After much watching of enthusiasts on YouTube, I've come to the conclusion that you change the oil *before* it needs changing.

Somewhere between 3000 and 5000 miles seems more than good enough. Nearer 3000 if mostly short journeys, nearer 5000 if mostly long journeys. Change every year if you don't reach 5000 miles. For context, the manual recommends every 10000 miles (or 5000 if mostly short journeys) but this is in the scenario of them not wanting you to keep your car for as long as I want to keep my car

Oil degradation is gradual so go with the advice of literally everyone and change frequently with cheaper oil instead of less frequently with expensive stuff

 

[AnthonyUK]

change frequently with cheaper oil instead of less frequently with expensive stuff

I agree with this.

I also use almost any brand that Opie tells me is compatible with my vehicles but try to stick to those brands that I have seen on the MB lists as they have at least met some form of conformity.
I prefer 5w-30 over 0w as it just doesn't get cold enough where I am and generally, the narrower the range, the better the oil.
I never reach the mileage limits so change the oil annually.

 

[Griffy]

The manual states every year, or 15,000 km (10,000 miles).

Somewhere official (can't remember where) it also states that if you're doing mainly short journeys to do it every 7500km (5000 miles).

HOWEVER... these figures are not for people keeping the car as long as us, to as high a mileage as (some of) us... treat these as a minimum and aim for more frequent changes.

I aim for every 3000 miles on the basis that I want to hold off buying a new car for as long as possible. Obviously people that lease cars or own them for only a few years can get away with nearly zero maintenance

Very helpful thanks. In a way though this is what annoys me about people 'buying' cars on finance. They only keep them 3 years and give them back so they know they haven't got to look after them as well as if they had paid cash?! Of course not everyone is like this but most are?

 

[Griffy]

I bought this in the end. Mannol seems to be good from what I've heard and a good price. https://ebay.us/m/w0dzg5

 

[Andyzz]

I bought this in the end. Mannol seems to be good from what I've heard and a good price. https://ebay.us/m/w0dzg5

that's expensive You can get it from here Cheaper but I would not use it I can't Find the full specification for it Mannol doesn't show it on their website I won't use anything Under 12 at 100 degrees C I suppose it would be all right if you're changing your oil every 2000 miles.

20L​

Original price was: £44.99. £29.99

Mannol 7511 Energy 5W30 A3/B4 - 20L (SOLD AS 4X5L) -

Mannol Energy 7511 5w30 A3/B4 - 20L - Nationwide Palletised Delivery - Supplied by a Family Run Business established in 1925

www.pyemotoroil.co.uk

 

[Griffy]

Ah bugger oh well. What do you mean under 12?

 

[Andyzz]

Ah bugger oh well. What do you mean under 12?

Sorry for the late reply been busy what I mean by under 12 at 100° C means the thickness of the oil at 100° C some oils when they heat up can be as low as 9 which is miles to thin I read a long time ago that the VQ35DE engines should run an oil which is between 12 and 14 at 100° C the trouble is not all manufacturers show the specs I've always used Exol oil for the last 15 years is not the cheapest and they don't advertise so you're not paying for advertising but get in a good quality oil yes I still change mine at 3000 miles.
You can see the full spec here.

I purchased my oil from these people you can get 10% off by putting in save10.
I have no contact with them I only purchase my oil from them.

Optima LSGM C2 C3 Mercedes and General Motors approved Fully Synthetic Low Saps Engine Oil 20 Litre (non stock allow 7 days for delivery)

Optima C2 C3 LSGM 5W-30 Fully synthetic low SAPS engine oil Product code: M490 Product Description: Optima C2 C3 LSGM 5W-30 is a new generation fully synthetic multigrade engine oil formulated from premium hydrocracked synthetic base stocks, the very latest detergent-dispersant additive package...

www.lubetechshop.co.uk

 

[ameba]

Do you guys pre-fill your oil filter when changing or is it bonkers?

 

[Andyzz]

Yes always

 

[Nevillerover]

A quick google says that you shouldn’t.

 

[Highway Dave]

Do you guys pre-fill your oil filter when changing or is it bonkers?

Yes always

A quick google says that you shouldn’t.

This particular engine “can” cope with the initial dry start should you not want to prime the filter first and it’s not a must according to manufacturers.
I still do as old habits die hard and every little helps etc ( plus it’s in my head from way back lol)

 

[Andyzz]

First of all is your choice but if you think about it your filter has a one-way valve in it to stop the oil going back to the sump so when you remove the oil filter you allow the oil to drain back to the sump I think this is one reason why Nissan uses a small oil filter so that the oil can get to the critical components faster because people don't usually fill the oil filter I've seen lots of debate on YouTube about whether you should fill it or not but one of the most stupidest reasons I've ever heard is that if you fill your filter from new oil it's dirty is not going through the filter so it would damage your engine?.
If you fill the filter and refit its going to get the oil to critical parts much quicker as I said your choice.