What oil should I use?

[DEE-80Y]

As per the title, I will be doing an oil change on my 02 Corsa SRi over xmas. I noticed that there are many oils and various prices, my Q. is what oil do I use? and what does all the
20W - 50 SL/SM
15W - 40 SL/SM
10W - 40 SL/SM
mean?

[USC]

try get 5W-50...they are the best!

[sooty]

and what does all the
20W - 50 SL/SM
15W - 40 SL/SM
10W - 40 SL/SM
mean?

http://www.opelaus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14621
That thread, despite the fact it's about the diesel, will tell you exactly what all the letters and numbers mean :D

Good luck understanding it :p

[DirtyHarry]

mate go for the 10W-40, the best range of protection for our climate, 5W-50 is abit too thick for these engines.

[SKM_87]

use what the manual says. its there for a reason

[mr corsa]

neo oil worlds best kept secrect

[USC]

mate go for the 10W-40, the best range of protection for our climate, 5W-50 is abit too thick for these engines.


5 is the cold rating..meaning it flows really well during cold weather for easy start. 50 provides the best protection if you rev your car hard a lot of the times.

[Wraith]

mate go for the 10W-40, the best range of protection for our climate, 5W-50 is abit too thick for these engines.

You've actually got it the wrong way around !

The lower the 'W' number the higher the flow rate, (Viscosity) or thinner the oil is....so a 5W will be thinner than a 10W ;) ever seen/handled a 0W-50 oil, it's almost like water ! on the other hand a 40W-70 oil is as thick as sludge, I used to use a 40W-70 oil in my 9sec race car....

The higher the end figure, the higher the operating tempurature range the oil can handle, ie: -50 more than a -40 oil !

The best 'oil grade' to use, especially with newer engines is whatever the manufacturer specifies, eg: 10W-40 in the service manual - then use a 10W-40 grade oil !!!

As for brands and specific types, eg: standard or blends or full synthetic, again unless noted otherwise, any type meeting or exceeding manufacturers recomendations will do, ie: read and compare all the ratings specs on the container.

People will always have or push a certain type/brand based on their own experience or preferences, but all good oils are good and alot of them are tied into the same initial supplier/maker but end up with different brands at the end of the line.

[Tfer]

As per your service book, and then buy the best brand you can afford :)

[SSS_Hoon]

neo oil worlds best kept secrect


something we both agree on there Sir.


SSS_Hoon

[Wraith]

AMS oil - not so much a secret, well not that I was aware of anyways. I've been using this stuff for nearly 20 years......but if you want to, or can afford to spend more on oil, it's my reccomemded top shelf drop ;)

Have also tried RedLine, but prefer the above.

[DEE-80Y]

thanks everyone.... I will keep researching this and let y'all know what i go with ( even if it upsets some ppl, as there are plenty of opinions ).

[JohnBu]

for a normal car, just use the recommended oil 10W40, or is it 15W40?

I'm been using Mobil Super Syn 10W40 for my car..

Good oil, no problems with it. $30 for 5L popular oil for good reason.

if its 15W40 you may wanna try Valvoline Engine Amour 15W40, thats about $23 for 5L... again, used it in the past, exceeds required specs.

unless you're thrashing the car every single day or don't plan to change the oil for 2 years, then Mobil Super Syn or Valvoline Engine Amour is more than sufficient.

[DirtyHarry]

im saying using a 5W oil is too thin for our climate in the morning and first startup..and 50W it too thick during driving...youd only use a 50W oil under racing conditions, other wise your oil is not going to get hot enough and there wont be enought oil coming through cause its to thick.

[SKM_87]

one other thing to add. a mazda mechanic i know (unfortunatly) serviced a car. it then came back the next day with reduced power. the variable valve crap and what such wasn't working. take a guess why. wrong oil. a 50 hot rating instead of the specified 30. so just another thing to add. jus something to watch out for.

[USC]

castrol australia recommends 5w-30 or 0w-40 for 2006 and pre-2006 model astras (including turbo) and 5w-30 or 5w-40 for 2007 models (including turbo).

check for yourself:
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/

For a 02 Corsa Sri, Castrol recommends 10w-40 or 15w-40