Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 11:47:01 -0500 From: ptgrunnernopsamhlink.net (P.T. Goodman) Subject: Re: 5W50 synthetic oil grade
In article <36c23557.32954633nopsam1.ibm.net>, bulwnklnopsambee_emm.net (Eoin) wrote: > I would like to know what the last few years' of the 900 > series' manuals say. I have found, to my surprise, that my 9-3 calls > for 10W-30 or 10W-40 except that for regular use above 60 degrees (F) > it says to use 15W-50 or 20W-50. I am curious for your thoughts > regarding this apparent change. I was told that the 9-3's engine is > essentially the same as the last 900's. Is this incorrect? Also, did > the last 900s call for a 10,000 mile drain interval (I mean under > non-"severe" circumstances; I don't fall under any of their "severe" > criteria) like my 9-3 does, or is that another change? Thanks for any > information. > > --Eoin I *think* the 9-3 engine is *essentially* the same as the old 900 Turbo Engine. IMHO, all driving is severe and calls for drain interval less than 10,000 miles, unless you are using a top end synthetic (maybe!). I change every 3-5k miles with Mobil1. As for synthetics they should last longer since they are more less prone to breakdown. The engineering numbers I've seen on synthetics are impressive, but I'm not sure they make much differnce for the average driver. *I* can't translate them into how the synthetic translates into better day-to-day performance for me. Pete