Just another oil question

I use the Shell Helix Plus which is the semi-synthetic oil. It’s 15W – 50 grade. Have been using it for 18 months in my 2.4 litre Hilux. It's about $27 for 5 litres.

Is your vehicle a 3Ltr Jackeroo??? If so, they are oil fired injectors and oil viscosity plays a major role. Always use the oil specified by the manufacture. The 3ltr Jackeroo can use Castrol Magnatec FMX 10w-30.

In any vehicle, you should use an equivalent oil to that recommended by the manufacturer.

I use castrol softtec LL01. about $150 / 4 litres. Seems to have solved the cold weather start problems that I had and is designed for use in high tech diesels by mercedes etc.

Click here for a very good reference on the topic.

As mentioned above you have tapped into a biggy - there should be lots of info here in the archives - I've posted quite a few as others have. In short, mine is running fine at 88k with Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 - in your climate there should be no need at all to run anything lighter. I'm in Adelaide. You often need a good spin over to get them up and your battery might be on the low side. I only use one battery at 700CCA rating - do you have one or two ? If you have one 600cca battery, you might be struggling.

Forgot to say that a frosty morning brings double trouble for the Jacks - cold oil is thicker oil and cold batteries produce lower available amps - with the Jack needing every amp it can get from a single battery system, that's where the problems often start. I'm told you need 0W-30 if living in the snow, and then you might still have to sell the car !

Quambie, I use 5w30 semi-synthietic in winter (quality one for late model diesels - refer to the link Savas recommended) and change over 5w40 in summer months. You do not need 2 batteries, get a good quality calcium battery as a primary battery and that leaves room for an auxillary battery. I have a 760 cca battery and never struggles at all, even in 0 degree temperatures (had a couple this year). Better quality oil in a 5w30 also reduced smoke when revving higher and improved fuel consumption by at least 1L/100km. Using a synthetic or semi means you can go the recommended 10000km (check the type though on the link previously provided)

D-Jack

Hi Quambie as you see there is no shortage of advice re the oil issue . I also live in Brisbane and I run RX (15-40) with no problems starting , yes it is a little slower if the car is left outside or is particularly cold , I have run Magnatec in the past and no significant difference. If you are having problems with Magnatec the issue may be something else , glowplugs maybe? Was yours subject to the recall for the injector seals ?
cheers Dave

Quambie, another thing you can check is your oil filter. Some genuine filters have a valve to trap oil. If an oil filter was replaced at your last service, they may have changed it to one without a vavle. It may be OK after the filter is full. Some nongenuine filters delete these vavles as a cost saving feature.