Red Lion 05
What oil do vy drivers tend to use
Hello everyone,
Just curious as to what they believe is the best type of oil to use for a VY Calais?
Cheers
............
Whatever it says in your handbook. Also if you use the search function you'll find heaps of oil threads.
SILVERFOX
Castrol Magnatec 10w40
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Cammed & Eventualy Blown!
search dude, tons of these threads
Use the grade and type of oil GM specifies in the owner's handbook.
I've been using Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 and I have no problem with it, engine is quiet, good fuel economy. It comes on special at Supercheap all the time just buy a couple of 5L containers when it's on sale.
Last edited by wortus; 16-07-2010 at 10:46 AM.
SILVERFOX
Sorry but don't you mean Castrol?Originally Posted by wortus
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Donating Member
Hand book says 10W-30, which is what I use. Nulon has a 6 litre bottle and at $50 is good value. Been using it in the Ecotec since 11,000km and now has 120,000km and car runs just like it did at 11k!!
To me, I use what I always use and don't change from it. And oil filter every time I change too. I do mine at 7,500km intervals.
Don't use nulon's, i used there's cause it came in a 6ltr bottle and my engine rattled its head off, this was after i'd always used castrol magnatec, switched back to castrol magnatec and all good, only use magnatec in every car i work on, use it in the ls1 and have used castrol edge 5-30 in the ls1 currently using the magnatec and as i said not as loud now.
Yeah sorry about that typo. I also change the oil and filter at 7500km or 4.5 months inbetween each log book service.
redlion05, what engine is in your VY Calais, how many kms has it done and what state do you live in (average temp each day)? Also do you run it on fuel or LPG?
VYII Calais L67
castrol gtx2 20/50w,cars done 248,000kms now so needs something a bit thicker otherwise it burns up the oil a bit quick
Cammed & Eventualy Blown!
nothing wrong with nulon man, i use ther 10w40 in vs with 124,0000 and runs like a dream
Red Lion 05
Hey guy, my Vy calais has 148k. I travel a lot of freeway k's, which has burnt the oil quickly. My dealership placed castrol magnatec 10w-40 in it and it's done 7k km. I purchased castrol modern engine oil recently with 5w-30 in a 5l bottle. Will that be enough oil for the engine with new filter? I'm hoping to change it today
Red Lion 05
Sorry guys. I also start my engine in cold 3 degree mornings and it runs on petrol. Thanks in advance
SILVERFOX
Nope, it takes 5.6 litres (approx) with filter.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
Red Lion 05
Thank you for your response VY Mad.
Are there any places that stock 6 litre bottles of oil or do you have to buy 2x 5 litre bottles for an ecotec engine?
Btw, when I completly drain the oil (with the car warm), will it actually take 5.6 litres of oil with the filter?
I'm asking cause atm, my dipstick is reading below the low level (when cold), otherwise, when i've had the car running, the oil level is way above the full line. Is it still safe to drive and when they define 'operating temperature' for the level, does that refer to when the engine is warm but checked 10 minutes later after the engine is switched off?
As long as the level is within the range shown on the dip stick it is OK however if it got below the half way mark I would top it up if it was not due for a change soon. I just did mine today, oil and filter drained while hot and I tipped in an entire 5 litre bottle and it still needed about another half a litre or so. I pre filled the filter before I put it on which is also a good idea as the motor wil get oil pressure a bit faster. Also I checked my auto transmission and it needed a fair bit of fluid so if you have not checked that it's not a bad idea. You check the auto with the motor running in park at opertaing temperature.
The only 6 litre bottles I have seen are Nulon. I was thiking about trying some but I have stuck with Magnatec so far. I just buy 5 litre bottles and the second bottle suplements the next 4 or so changes. You can buy it in 1 litre bottles but it is un economical.
Red Lion 05
I've always known to check the car when its cold to get a level but does the vy ecotec need to be checked when warm? Thats where i'm getting confused as i have two different readings when warm and cold.
When you changed you oil today, where did you oil level show up on your dipstick with a full 5 litre bottle? Also, was the oil warm or cold? Thanks wortus
SILVERFOX
Yeah the Ecotecs (and I think most other newer engines) have to be checked while warm. Makes a bit of difference as the oil expands when warm. Make sure that when you are checking the hot oil, you've let it settle for five or ten minutes first.
I always buy the five litre bottles of Magnatec and always need more than one, like said above they take approx 5.6 litres. Yep fill the oil filter with a bit of oil before screwing it on and even though the book says approx 5.6 litres, I generally put 5 in and then gradually bring it up to below the full mark, remembering to start the engine when it's nearly full to fully circulate the new oil. By leaving it a few millimetres below full, you allow for the expansion when the oil is hot. Check each day for a week or so to make sure the sump plug or filter aren't leaking.
'Ah well, I suppose it had to come to this.'
I've not noticed the engine ol expand by that much when hot, certainly not as much as transmission fluid. I just fill mine to near the top of the range. If it's a few mil over when it's hot it won't hurt but if it was like 10mm then I would be worried. Remember when the car is running th elevel in the sump will drop as ther eis oil circulating. When I bought my car it had just had a dealership service and was way overfilled so I drained it back to the top of the range.
When you replace the sump plug make sure you use a new crush washer and torque the plug up to spec. It should not come loose. I usually tighten mine just above the minimum of the torque range.
Redlion, you didn't reply to my questions that were to ascertain your oil weight needs. No worries but for sure the 10-40 and 5-30 are both too thin for an engine with 148000kms. I recommend and use Penrite HPR10 which is a good semi synth or alternatively you could use Valvoline XLD or Motul excess. One thing is for sure, a 30 or 40 weight just won't cut it on a well worn engine like yours. I'd recommend at least a 10-50 or even a 60w. A tad over the dipstick is fine. I run 6L in my VY as they have a larger capacity sump and the dipstick full mark is higher than previous models
HTH
VYII Calais L67
Red Lion 05
Hey chargedvx6, I have stated above that my car has 148k, runs in vic and on alot of freeway kms and starts on 3 degree mornings. I've decided to get castrol modern engine with 10w - 30 (which in the holden service book is within my temperature range). I wanted to get some synthetic oil but didn't have enough money to spend unfortunately. Thanks to everyone for their advice though, its been very helpfulHas anybody found their ecotec engine runs well and uses less oil on synthetic oils?
Cammed & Eventualy Blown!
cant help ya there as ive always used fully synthetic oil, hows it run on the 10w30? not noisey or anything?Hey chargedvx6, I have stated above that my car has 148k, runs in vic and on alot of freeway kms and starts on 3 degree mornings. I've decided to get castrol modern engine with 10w - 30 (which in the holden service book is within my temperature range). I wanted to get some synthetic oil but didn't have enough money to spend unfortunately. Thanks to everyone for their advice though, its been very helpful
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