AJ-V8 engine oil - what do you use?
Discussion
Hi chaps
I've got a question for all of you with an AJ-V8 engined Jaguar; what oil do you run and why?
My father has a 2001 XJ8 which was recently serviced (main dealer) and was filled with Castrol GTX Magnatec, a semi-synthetic oil (whatever that is). They stressed that it should be topped up with the same. However, it now needs topping up but the car is on a long sojourn in France and we cant find identical oil.
The handbook is less than helpful, simply stating that ACEA A1-98 or ACEA A3-98 spec oil is suitable.
Are we over-complicating matters? What should we top the engine up with?
mnay thanks for any (informed) assistance
RRG
I've got a question for all of you with an AJ-V8 engined Jaguar; what oil do you run and why?
My father has a 2001 XJ8 which was recently serviced (main dealer) and was filled with Castrol GTX Magnatec, a semi-synthetic oil (whatever that is). They stressed that it should be topped up with the same. However, it now needs topping up but the car is on a long sojourn in France and we cant find identical oil.
The handbook is less than helpful, simply stating that ACEA A1-98 or ACEA A3-98 spec oil is suitable.
Are we over-complicating matters? What should we top the engine up with?
mnay thanks for any (informed) assistance
RRG
RRG said:
Hi chaps
I've got a question for all of you with an AJ-V8 engined Jaguar; what oil do you run and why?
My father has a 2001 XJ8 which was recently serviced (main dealer) and was filled with Castrol GTX Magnatec, a semi-synthetic oil (whatever that is). They stressed that it should be topped up with the same. However, it now needs topping up but the car is on a long sojourn in France and we cant find identical oil.
The handbook is less than helpful, simply stating that ACEA A1-98 or ACEA A3-98 spec oil is suitable.
Are we over-complicating matters? What should we top the engine up with?
mnay thanks for any (informed) assistance
RRG
Checkout Opie Oils on various threads here-they always seem helpful. Not sure if I have same engine as you in my V8 4.0 S type but I believe it swallows 5w-40w FULLY synthetic OK. Handbook seems to indicate fully synth is preferable-but depends on driving style I guess-which is why Opie are helpful. Try looking for them on General discussion thread.I've got a question for all of you with an AJ-V8 engined Jaguar; what oil do you run and why?
My father has a 2001 XJ8 which was recently serviced (main dealer) and was filled with Castrol GTX Magnatec, a semi-synthetic oil (whatever that is). They stressed that it should be topped up with the same. However, it now needs topping up but the car is on a long sojourn in France and we cant find identical oil.
The handbook is less than helpful, simply stating that ACEA A1-98 or ACEA A3-98 spec oil is suitable.
Are we over-complicating matters? What should we top the engine up with?
mnay thanks for any (informed) assistance
RRG
I'm surprised you need to top up, but you should be able to buy Magnatec in Halfords.
I'd suggest you run with this for a couple of thousand miles to get some value from the oil you've already paid for and then change to a full synthetic.
The benefits of a full synthetic oil are well documented and in my personal experience with the origional XK, AJ16, and now the AJ V8 engines, all running on synthetic oil, is that everything you will read regarding improved fuel consumption, better performance, cleaner engine components and improved oil life is true.
It really does do what is says on the tin. Even if you're not interested in more power, you have the benefit of better economy, with the XK engine in my old XJ I saw a 10% improvement in MPG.
At a
ing £1.00 a litre for petrol that's worth having. My current 3.2 V8 recently did 27.4MPG on a 800 mile touring holiday, without really driving to save fuel and doing 70+ on the motorway trip up and back.
I ignore Jaguar service intervals, which IMO are hoplessly inadequate, and change engine oil and filter every 7500 miles or less.
I've also changed the rear axle oil, using a full synthetic 75W-90, and paid my local indie to change the gearbox oil. Having this done, on a regular 30k basis, or even less, is essential to avoid expensive problems if you're keeping the car long term.
At the moment I'm using Fusch Titan Supersyn 5W-40, which costs just over £4/litre from GSF (German Swedish and French car parts).
You need to know however, that an American ruling on oil labeling, has somehow managed to create a situation where a semi synthetic oil can be incorrectly labelled and sold as a synthetic. Check out Opie oils for more advice on this.
I'd suggest you run with this for a couple of thousand miles to get some value from the oil you've already paid for and then change to a full synthetic.
The benefits of a full synthetic oil are well documented and in my personal experience with the origional XK, AJ16, and now the AJ V8 engines, all running on synthetic oil, is that everything you will read regarding improved fuel consumption, better performance, cleaner engine components and improved oil life is true.
It really does do what is says on the tin. Even if you're not interested in more power, you have the benefit of better economy, with the XK engine in my old XJ I saw a 10% improvement in MPG.
At a
ing £1.00 a litre for petrol that's worth having. My current 3.2 V8 recently did 27.4MPG on a 800 mile touring holiday, without really driving to save fuel and doing 70+ on the motorway trip up and back.I ignore Jaguar service intervals, which IMO are hoplessly inadequate, and change engine oil and filter every 7500 miles or less.
I've also changed the rear axle oil, using a full synthetic 75W-90, and paid my local indie to change the gearbox oil. Having this done, on a regular 30k basis, or even less, is essential to avoid expensive problems if you're keeping the car long term.
At the moment I'm using Fusch Titan Supersyn 5W-40, which costs just over £4/litre from GSF (German Swedish and French car parts).
You need to know however, that an American ruling on oil labeling, has somehow managed to create a situation where a semi synthetic oil can be incorrectly labelled and sold as a synthetic. Check out Opie oils for more advice on this.
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