Team-BHP - ARTICLE: Synthetic oil vs Mineral oil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turrrb0 (Post 5054349)

I would suggest that you not use 5W30 for you santro xing, Pls refer to the owners manual below and select the right grade accordingly.. for chennai's hot climate I'm using the 15W40 option on mine.. Shell HX5 mineral is a good option, it's what I have poured in mine..

5w30 is just fine and gives you a smoother ride. My late father's old M800 and his next ride a 2012 K10 alto both used 5w30 without issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian2003 (Post 5054422)

It is puzzling to read about performance in motor oils. I feel no difference in the different brands of motor oils I use.The car will always feel smooth after an oil change but that has nothing to do with brand. Even with the cheapest tractor oil.

The difference at least driving in harsher Indian conditions is that some of the cheaper oils are better off changed within 6000-7500 km (or even every 5000 in city conditions) while other oils will last for the full 10k oil change interval wihout getting sooty / shearing to lose its viscosity etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turrrb0 (Post 5054349)

So as per the chart and your own experience that you shared, I should be using 15w40 which is the one recommended by the manufacturer. I don't think I'll be driving my Duster in cooler climate anytime soon. Mostly the tropical climates of Kerala and TN. So this 15W40 grade is more than suitable for the 1.3 Litre Turbo Petrol engine, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav3r1ckblu3 (Post 5055001)

In the USA people use 0w20 for even larger 3 liter petrol engines, in the arizona desert. Dont worry, use a good 5w40 synthetic and your Duster will thrive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav3r1ckblu3 (Post 5055001)

It would depend on what your owner's manual mentions. If there are varying options (like in my Hyundai manual) you can select one based on your climatic conditions and choose the one that suits your weather the best.

Since I am not familiar with this new 1.3 engine I would suggest just sticking to the manufacturer recommended grade.

Could u share a photograph of the page from your manual, and we can see what is to be done then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turrrb0 (Post 5056806)

Could u share a photograph of the page from your manual, and we can see what is to be done then.

Sure, here they are, this is all I could find from the owner's manual and maintenance document.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav3r1ckblu3 (Post 5057734)

Sure, here they are, this is all I could find from the owner's manual and maintenance document.

I have a friend (another BHPian) who owned a diesel duster for years, even worked for Renault. He says that his Duster performed quite well and ran much smoother on the synthetic oil Renault used for Fluence. Go ahead and use a 5w40 synthetic.

This oil by the way lists the Renault RN0700 / 0710 specs and is a 5w40 synthetic fairly similar to Shell Helix Ultra in the rest of its spec (ACEA A3B4, VW 502 and 505 etc). https://www.amazon.in/Motul-8100-X-C...dp/B01M0EKZ75/

So I guess just pouring Shell Helix Ultra will keep your duster quite happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav3r1ckblu3 (Post 5057734)

Sure, here they are, this is all I could find from the owner's manual and maintenance document.

Hi mav3r1ckblu3,

For a modern direct-injection turbo-petrol engine like 1.3 TCe, 15w40 is too thick. AFAIK 15w40 was recommended by Reanult for old 1.5 DCI Diesel and 1.5 NA Petrol engine.

Please verify the engine oil grade with your service center.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hserus (Post 5054425)

5w30 is just fine and gives you a smoother ride. My late father's old M800 and his next ride a 2012 K10 alto both used 5w30 without issues.

Not questioning your experience but I would say that if you live in any of the hotter parts of India, its best to use 5w40 or (anything)w40. The winter grade doesn't really matter but the 40 stands for 40C in summer which many places here reach. 5w30 just doesnt leave any room for error and your oil will start breaking down quicker at ambient temps above 30C.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cresterk (Post 5061345)

The oil is changed every six months as it is. 5w40 won’t hurt either but my car at the time took 5w30 so it made sense to bulk buy the oil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cresterk (Post 5061345)

Not questioning your experience but I would say that if you live in any of the hotter parts of India, its best to use 5w40 or (anything)w40. The winter grade doesn't really matter but the 40 stands for 40C in summer which many places here reach. 5w30 just doesn't leave any room for error and your oil will start breaking down quicker at ambient temps above 30C.

I am sorry this piece of information may not be correct. AFAIK 40 indicates its viscosity rating NOT temperature. Most oils in India are rated to work up to 155+ degrees temperature. I remember seeing 173 Degrees spec for European oils. These degrees most likely are Centigrade. Some gurus can feel free to correct either way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreenivass (Post 5061502)

This is correct. A running engine will anyway reach much higher temperatures which is why there is coolant involved.

Still yes a heavier weight (the w in 5w30 etc) oil might last a bit longer than a less viscous one

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreenivass (Post 5061502)

You’re right, it stands for viscosity rating but at a particular ambient temperature range. The lower the number, the thinner the oil will be at higher ambient temperatures, making it protect the engine less.

A thicker oil seems to do two adverse things: lower the FE and and lessen the heat dissipation. Hence using the recommended one may be a good idea. It is interesting some VW recommendations have varying weights approved for one spec.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sreenivass (Post 5061601)

5w30 vs 5w40 there's not as much difference. If you go and use a 15w40 or 20w40 type heavier oil you will get such issues as you describe. Besides weight there is a VW spec / standard (502 00 and 505 00 or the newer 504 00 and 507 00 specs with the 502 and 504 being petrol and 505 507 being diesel specs) so if you find a heavier weight oil that meets the required standard you should be fine.