I was surprised to find out that Mobi has just come out with a new Mobil1 formula and also added a new viscosity; 0W-40. This oil is rated under the new rating "SL".

I was wondering if such oil would be appropriate for a turbocharged Volvo with an upgraded ECU (like mine). I understand that the "0" is for the cold temps and the "40" rating should provide adequate protection especially since the engine operates at higher temps, but is it too thin??? Or would I be better off using an oil with a viscosity of, say, 15W-50 which is pretty heavy and at the expense of reduced gas mileage?

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

I'm surprized that you don't know that Volvo doesn't recommend 10/40 (too thick) SO I wouldn't advise 0w40 either and especially for a turbo car.
0w30, 5w30, 10w30 is fine.
Ask your rep if you don't believe me.

Pete,

it is not that I don't believe you but if you read my post carefully then you would notice that my engine is not "normal" meaning that my ECU has been upgraded therefore I need an oil that will give it added protection due to the increased demands that extra HP and torque place. So, 0W-30 (which Volvo does not recommend anyway for a stock engine) and 5W-30 don't coubt...too thin. I have thought about the 10W-30 but previous discussions with TME and people who own tuned Volvos, they all recommend at least a "40" oil or a "50". In Europe, many enthusiasts that have TUNED Volvos all use 10W-50 or 15W-50 oils...That's why I posed the 0W-40. I am ready to go to a 10W-40 oil but it is extremely hard to find oil at such weight.

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

Well, my modified engines (2) both have Amsoil Series 2000 0w30 in them year round in a climate where outside temps can reach 100F (rarely) BUT before telling me that THAT oil is too thin or lacking anything, do read the specs on it at Amsoils website first. Other Amsoil guys here are also using the same oil year round w/o problems.
It's my opinion that 40w is too think for any turbo engine, "modified" or not. The only time I'll use thicker than usual oils is with tired old high mileage engines that might benefit slightly from heavier oil.

I've seen a lot of stuff online discussing motor oils...

Most say that a 0W-XX oil is a 0W oil that has been engineered not to thin more than XX when hot... (and a 15W-XX is a 15W oil that won't thin more than XX...)

I also read about the "spread" being a factor as well... 0W-40 has a 40 spread, while 15W-50 only has 35, and 10W-30 only 20... The theory being that the wider the spread, the more additives and finagling has been put into the oil to make it perform like that. That's that much more stuff in the oil that is in there for a purpose other than lubrication.

I'd love for someone more knowledgable to pick up on what I'm talking about and clarify...

-Paul Demeo
1990 780T (so why am I reading AWD?... Mobil1 10W30 FWIW....)

>>>Most say that a 0W-XX oil is a 0W oil that has been engineered not to thin more than XX when hot... (and a 15W-XX is a 15W oil that won't thin more than XX...)

That's quite oversimplified. Most (if not all) of the 0W-xx oils are made with synthetic or hydrocracked base stocks, which inherently act as multigrade.
The initial part, the W-, is a measure of the resistance to flow at cold temperatures. The higher number shows the resistance to flow of the oil at 210F. The non-synthetics were often created by using a light oil (which would give the 5W- or 10W-, and then adding viscosity index improvers to keep the oil from thinning out too much at high temperatures.

>>I also read about the "spread" being a factor as well... 0W-40 has a 40 spread, while 15W-50 only has 35, and 10W-30 only 20... The theory being that the wider the spread, the more additives and finagling has been put into the oil to make it perform like that. That's that much more stuff in the oil that is in there for a purpose other than lubrication.

The spread can be a factor. Synthetic base stocks can be chosen and blended to give much of this spread without any VI additives. Some years back, AMSOIL blended both 15W-40 and 10W-30 oils with no viscosity index improvers.
When non-shear VI improvers became available, the oil could be reformulated to be even better with virtually no shearing. The non-shear VI improvers are more expensive, and all oil companies may (more likely do) not use them.

Any thoughts on Valvoline 5w-40 pure synthetic oil? Thats what I have been using.

5W-40? Full synthetic? Have never seen that from Valvoline...

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ECU Upgrade, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

I can get it at my local Autozone parts store in Denver. It can be had for $4.50 qt.

And it works fine. Not a problem. It comes in a silver container.