Oil advice
Author
Discussion

leedogg3

Original Poster:

329 posts

197 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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I know I will get laughed at, but for the first time in over ten years my car is showing low oil. I have found 1litre of SAE 0W-30 in my garage. Halfords recommend SAE 5W-30. It's to go in a 2012 Ford Smax 2.2 Tdci. Any thoughts?

Condi

20,395 posts

201 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
quotequote all
What does the book say?

And do you ever service the thing, or has that oil been in there for 10 year?!

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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Condi said:
What does the book say?

And do you ever service the thing, or has that oil been in there for 10 year?!
Have a strong coffee, it's a 2012 car!

As for the oil, get the proper grade. If I was to chance oil I would perhaps go with 5W-30 if my car wanted 5W-40, but not mess with the other one.

leedogg3

Original Poster:

329 posts

197 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
quotequote all
RenOHH said:
Have a strong coffee, it's a 2012 car!

As for the oil, get the proper grade. If I was to chance oil I would perhaps go with 5W-30 if my car wanted 5W-40, but not mess with the other one.
Thanks, it's one of those where you know what to do but it's cold and wet and going to cost money!

P I Staker

3,308 posts

186 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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Its a brand new car, put the right oil in it.

cuprabob

19,709 posts

244 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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You can get 5W30 Castrol Edge cheap in Asda, so no excuse not to put the correct grade in.

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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leedogg3 said:
Thanks, it's one of those where you know what to do but it's cold and wet and going to cost money!
1 litre is about 5 quid at the motor factors! Don't bother with brands and all that st, just get the right stuff.

MJK 24

5,678 posts

266 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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You need a 5w30 synthetic diesel oil that's also low sapps/low ash.

littleredrooster

6,397 posts

226 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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It's not so much the viscosity, but more the spec of the oil. I'm fairly sure Ford have their own Spec number for their recent cars, so you really need to find what the spec is and get some of that.

In general terms, putting a drop of 0w-30 in rather then 5w-30 is fine; the lower number gives the 'cold' viscosity, so a 0w is slightly 'runnier' than a 5w when it's cold, but will be identical at running temperature as they're both 30.

Billy_rfc

587 posts

285 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
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Tesco also stock ford recommended grade oil.

Condi

20,395 posts

201 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
quotequote all
RenOHH said:
Condi said:
What does the book say?

And do you ever service the thing, or has that oil been in there for 10 year?!
Have a strong coffee, it's a 2012 car!

As for the oil, get the proper grade. If I was to chance oil I would perhaps go with 5W-30 if my car wanted 5W-40, but not mess with the other one.
My bad, didnt see the 2012 bit.

Put the right stuff in it especially under warranty.

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 16th December 2012
quotequote all
littleredrooster said:
In general terms, putting a drop of 0w-30 in rather then 5w-30 is fine; the lower number gives the 'cold' viscosity, so a 0w is slightly 'runnier' than a 5w when it's cold, but will be identical at running temperature as they're both 30.
Woops I got mixed up earlier on when I said I would consider putting 5W-30 in a 5W-40 engine. I meant what you said.