what grade oil should i use?

[RUstyplastic]

What grade oil should i use in a VS commodore with 211xxx kms?

[HSV.006]

20w 50 or so

[RUstyplastic]

thanks for that, does it make any real difference between 20w 50 and 15w 40?

[Brett_jjj]

does it make any real difference between 20w 50 and 15w 40?

It doesnt stay as thick as the 20w50 stuff when it gets hot.Using 15w40 is only recommended for use when the vehicle is used in cold climates where it snows etc.

[Scooter79]

As I've said in previous threads asking the exact same question, oil has come a long way since the ecotec was released in 1995. Back then 20w50 with an API rating of SG was the best thing avaiable. But if you have a look at the recommended oil in a VX or VY ecotec handbook it will say 10w30 (API SL or SM).

Me personally I use a synthetic 10w40. Nulon to be specific.

[calais24/7]

I will go against you saying that 20w50 is more suitable, reason being the car has done a fair few kms. IMO that oil is to light and will burn to quick.

[seraphic06]

I will go against you saying that 20w50 is more suitable, reason being the car has done a fair few kms. IMO that oil is to light and will burn to quick.

I have to agree. For a while I used 15W40 and I was burning it at a considerable rate. As soon as I switched to 20W50 or 20W60 my oil consumption stopped.

[Scooter79]

Mine has just racked up 200,000kms and have had no problems with 10w40.

[calais24/7]

Each to their own i guess, i put 10w40 in the vl stupidly and it has done 225 thousand, it ran like a dog and actually caused me car to backfire under deacceleration Put 20w50 in and it runs alot smoother and no farting

[timmm36]

I've just filled my brothers 1996 VS Commodore with Shell HX7 15w50 Synthetic (suited to older engines). The car has 306,000km on the clock. So far so good...

[stick3]

do the oil chang at 6month or 10,000kms what ever come first.... u have no problem what oil u use.... i get my both cars done at kmart auto care and in the vs ute they use shell helix 10 30 semi sythetic...oils have change since i bought the old girl 14 years ago (mean me ute)

http://shellus.rapidhost.co.uk/landing.asp?cid=2&selCountry=Australia&selLanguage =1 - AUSTRALIA

[Scooter79]

Hey stick, how much are they charging you for an oil change? Helix is only $38 for 5L and a decent filter $8. If you've got a 19mm socket or spanner you can do the VS yourself.

The VZ is even easier with the oil filter at the top of the motor.