How much is a name worth.

Topmast

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My van will soon need a top up of oil, so today I went to local supermarket, 5 liters of 10/40 synthetic own brand was15 euros ,big named makes i.e. Castrol ,B.P .etc cost between 30 and 65 euros for 5 liters am I just paying for the name.?.
 
Many years ago I had a link to an article on this, many cheap brands are (or where) labelled 'Synthetic' when they actually contained very little.
 
Yes just paying for the name,all the spec is on the label and will meet the requirements,mind you why do you require top ups between oil changes,if using at slow speeds or few trips then change at half rec time ,or before winter,this will get rid of harmfull acids/carbon and any water held in oil suspension.
 
What about only changing the oil every two years or 30,000 miles as prescribed by fiat.
I have heard mixed opinions on that one.
 
Just looked up the following.
Tesco Fully Synthetic:- API SN/SF ACEA C3
Mobil 1:- API SN/SL ACEA C5

So not the same.
 
trevskoda said:
Yes just paying for the name,all the spec is on the label and will meet the requirements,mind you why do you require top ups between oil changes,if using at slow speeds or few trips then change at half rec time ,or before winter,this will get rid of harmfull acids/carbon and any water held in oil suspension.
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Good quality oil and filters are a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild. Do your homework Trev and stay away from that Asda snake oil.
 
This really sounds condescending but isn't meant to be. I really feel sorry for people with expensive vans who have to worry about what tyres, what is the optimum pressure, what oil, the habitation check, should I go up this narrow road. In my old van with it 2.5ltr turbo Ford engine I know that when the poor old soul dies it won't be the end of the world, and if it sustains the odd scratch in its life it'll be counted as a wound won in the pursuit of adventure.
 
Fisherman said:
What about only changing the oil every two years or 30,000 miles as prescribed by fiat.
I have heard mixed opinions on that one.
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I change every 5000 mls or end of season whatever comes first,i have had engines go 4 times round the clock.
I strain the oil and dump into oil heating tank.(y)
 
mark61 said:
Sure thats not the full service interval?
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Mark the handbook states every 30,000 miles or 48,000 km or every two years.
I have been told that due to use of synthetic oils this is ok, by some, and others say every year.
 
Fisherman said:
Mark the handbook states every 30,000 miles or 48,000 km or every two years.
I have been told that due to use of synthetic oils this is ok, by some, and others say every year.
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Depends on mileage per year, if it's low it's considered 'arduous' (or whatever handbook calls it)
 
colinmd said:
Depends on mileage per year, if it's low it's considered 'arduous' (or whatever handbook calls it)
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I do about 6-7,000 a year probably about half of that on motorways. Very little town driving. I don’t mess about with engines and an oil change can cost £150. A fiat dealer quoted me £220 just for an oil change. But what I know about engines can be written on a fag packet.
 
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