|
It will be synthetic. But before you decide on a 7500 mile interval, read the following, which was written by Rich Kelly on the Volvospeed/Bay13 discussion board [I couldn't send you a URL directly to the post because of the way that forum is set up]:
The oil change will need the oil filter, up to seven quarts of oil and an aluminum crush ring for the drain plug. How often should the oil be changed? My findings have shown that between 4 and 5 thousand miles is about right for the interval. My conclusion is based on sampling oil every thousand miles from 1K to 7K. The results from the oil samples showed at 4K the contaminants from use begin to double. There maybe something to Jiffy Lubes "every three thousand miles" jingle. Using synthetic oil without an additional filtering system doesn't change the contamination, or the break down of the additives that are in the oil. If you sample your oil and can prove to yourself that it's OK to wait longer by all means do so. I mention 5K as a max interval but would recommend the 3-4K range.
I work in a shop and if there is anything I don't want to do as a Master Volvo Technician is a $29.95 oil change. When I saw the manufacture mileage at 7.5K miles and 10K miles, I questioned it because I saw what the oil looked like, I saw the coked up heads then I took it a step further and had the stuff tested at an independent lab. So my recommendations are based on those results and not what I read on the internet. If you can go longer than by all means, but at least have your personal samples to back it up.
Volvos come with 5w30 now, they changed about a year or so ago from 10w30, the 5w30 saves a bit of fuel and in Europe, and now the states, any savings however small adds up after a while.
The cost for an oil sample is about $20, through BlackStone Laboratories, 4929 South Lafayette Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46806. You can call them at (206)744-2380 or visit them on the web at www.bstone@blackstone-labs.com
They will send you a sample kit, if you give your E-mail they will E-mail the results to you or send you a hard copy in the mail.
Just to give you an idea of the "OIL REPORT" I just happen to receive in the mail on 4/23/03. Cost is $20 per sample.
Top of the page is CLIENT information.
Then UNIT, which includes; Equipment make: Transmission, Equipment Model: Volvo Auto, Fuel Type: left blank, Oil use Interval: 38,058, Oil type and grade: Auto Transmission Fluid, Make up oil added: none, and additional information: I put the VIN number in here.
Comments: RIchard, this ATF has been in the transmission since this Volvo was new, and we think some of the lead might be marking compound left over from the factory. However, it could also show poor wear at the clutch plating. Insolubles show the oil is oxidized (probably from heat), and silicon read high as well. These, along with the metals, are causing this fill of transmission fluid to be too abrasive to leave in service. Suggest changing out this oil and resampling in 20,000 miles.
Elements in parts per million: They test the following: aluminum, chromium, iron, copper, lead, tin, molybdenum, nickel, maganese, silver, titanium, potassium, boron, silicon, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, barium. The amount found is listed in one columb and unit/location averages in another, and universal averages in another columb.
Properties are at the bottom, what Values should be and test values were, for the following items: cST viscosity @ 40C, SUS viscosity @ 100F, Viscosity index, Cst viscosity @ 100C, SUS viscosity @ 210F, Flashpoin in F, fuel %, antifreeze%, water%, Insolubles %.
Don't know about you but there is more information in the report than I really know what to do with, the remarks section breaks it down and keeps it simple for me. This happened to be for the Volvo synthetic transmission fluid, but the Oil sample reports are just as exhaustive.
--
David
1998 S70 T5SE // misc mods (mostly lighting) // red calipers // Michelin Pilots
1992 940 GLE//SilverStars//Hella MicroDE foglights//170K
|
