Oil - Back to basics by Opie Oils

[oilman]

This post may seem like going back to basics but we are constantly surprised by the amount of people who do not know or understand what is written on a bottle of oil and therefore have no idea of what they are looking for, buying or using.

This post should help as a basic guide, for more detailed information contact us and we will be happy to help.

So, to be blunt about the subject, if a bottle of oil does not contain the following basic information then DO NOT buy it look for something that does!

1) The purpose for which it is intended (i.e. Motor oil, Gear oil etc)

2) The viscosity (i.e. 10w-40, 5w-30 etc for Motor oils and 80w-90, 75w-90 etc for Gear oils)

3) The specifications that it meets (should contain both API and ACEA ratings)

4) The OEM Approvals that it carries and the codes (i.e. MB229.3, VW504.00, FORD 913a/b, BMW LL04 etc)

Ignore the marketing blurb on the label it is in many cases meaningless and we will explain later what statements you should treat with skepticism.

So, what does the above information mean and why is it important?

THE BASICS

All oils are intended for an application and in general are not interchangeable. You would not for example put an Automatic Transmission Oil or a Gear Oil in your engine! It is important to know what the oils intended purpose is.

VISCOSITY

Most oils on the shelves today are “Multigradesâ€

[WR1 Bro]

Currently I use Motol 300v 15w 50 in my WR1 tuned to around the 400bhp/380torque level. Having read your post I'm thinking I should be using an oil with a lower "w" value? What are your thoughts please?

[John Mc]

Currently I use Motol 300v 15w 50 in my WR1 tuned to around the 400bhp/380torque level. Having read your post I'm thinking I should be using an oil with a lower "w" value? What are your thoughts please?

I know you hold my technical knowledge in utter contempt but even I know it should be 5 or 10w in the WR1....

[oilman]

5w or 10w would be better for cold start, what kind of use does teh car get?

Cheers

Guy

[WR1 Bro]

5w or 10w would be better for cold start, what kind of use does teh car get?

Cheers

Guy

My car gets used for weekend fun... I'm warm it up and cool it down... But oce warm it gets spanked a little and red lined.

[oilman]

I would use 5w-40

Cheers

[WR 1mposter]

5w or 10w would be better for cold start, what kind of use does teh car get?

Cheers

Guy

My car gets used for weekend fun... I'm warm it up and cool it down... But oce warm it gets spanked a little and red lined.

I would use 5w-40

Cheers

Told you Bro yyunowisen

[Gee Wr1]

i thought oil was just oil so as long as it said oil on the bottle it would do, i've been using vegtable oil from tesco cooking section as it said oil on the bottle

[Gee Wr1]

Ok only joking its either 5 or 10w 40 i use.