My 02 X-type got toalled last year. So I purchased a '90 Soverign for 600 bucks from someone. Had loads of problems: Leaky steering rack, no rear brakes and only manual front brakes, blown rear strut, hairline crack in fuel tank, large dent in passenger side fender. Car has been sitting for a long time, all tires were dry rotted. On the up side the car only has about 88k miles.

Steering rack is fixed, fuel tank is fixed, front shocks replaced, rear struts will be replaced once they get here, and I am working on the brakes(hope all they need is new abs pump assy.)

Now I want to change the fluids because god knows how long its been sitting and when it last had oil change. I don't have the owners manual though and I can't figure out what oil to use.

They hayne book says 5w-30 or 10w-40 but ive heard of people using other oils etc. Regualar or synthetic? I live in New Mexico mid-region(Santa Fe) usually day time temps are 30-100.

Any help or advice would be outstanding and I would be very thankful.

 

Guess it is the 5w-30 synthetic since no one has any better suggestions.

 

I think you can use Castrol 10W60 if you like to use synt , in '88 we used to use 20W50 Castrol . (recommended by Jaguar Mechanic )
We do use 10W60 in my '93 XJ40 which is recommended highly by our Jag Mechanic . He also said that 10W60 was the best oil for our Jaguars

 

Thanks, I will give the 10w-60 a go then. Just waiting on my oil filter to arrive

 

Cadillac,

I've never seen 10w-60 grade oil. Is that something you can pick up at a regular auto supplier?

Moreover, with a high weight like that, wouldn't that be a little to much for a car in freezing temperatures?

I presently use 10w-40 in all my cars, for all seasons.

 

Anytime gunnerman (beware Fram filters as well )
fritter, Castrol 10W60 also been called Castrol Edge , it's a more expensive than Castrol 10W40 , if Walmart sells it you can find it anywhere lol . You should find it at auto suppliers as well
I can't vouch for the cold climates but in warm that's ok

 

Another thing , I occasionally see blue smoke coming out off the exhaust pipes when the engine is hot .I asked that and the response was it was ok (blue smokes ) with the engine owing to full synt oil

 

Well we are entering the winter season here, where it does get chilly. I don't pay much attention to the temps but it does get below freezing, it can get below 0 by a few degress at night every once in a while, sometimes I will be driving early morning so would 10w-60 still be a good choice or should I go with the 40?

Thanks

 

Gunnerman,

The higher the weight of the oil, the more it becomes like molasses during frigid temperatures. If you are losing or potentially burning oil, upping the weight will sometimes take care of that. I speak from experience and good advice over the years from other motorists and mechanics. I don't know where you live but what I would suggest is trying the 10w-40 first and see if you have any additional oil loss. If it continues, you can change it to a higher weight sooner....just don't change the filter (unless it's over 3,000mi). As a added protection for all my cars, I use motor oil for high millage vehicles. I don't use the synthetic oil only because I change it regularly (3000 mi or less). There are pros and cons for synthetic oil on cars, which I'm sure anyone may chime in for this discussion. However, I've been told that once you use synthetic oil, you can't revert back to regular oil....or at least doing a through internal engine cleaning before re-introducing regular oil.

 

20W50 Castrol GTX

 

We use 20-50 down here all year around. It is starting to get cold though. Lasts night's low was 68 degrees. Burr!!!! That's too damn cold!

Really, the most important thing is to keep up with your oil changes. Keep it fresh and you are ok.

 

Well the car dosent have any immediate signs of leaking or burning, I guess I have to just make the choice myself between 10w-40 and 20w-50. I always keep up on oil changes but have never done it myself, IE always let oil man do the choosing. It seems the consensus is to use a high viscocity oil in the car, within reason of climate.

 

I am really anxious to get rid of my Jag before the cold hits here. I don't want to have to have to change the oil again. I put 20W50 in it (which is what I would recommend - at least for summer). Anything under freezing is not a good idea with the 20W50. I had 5W30 in my car last winter and it was fine with that oil, but that was also at or close to -40C/-40F sometimes.

 

Cripes Geo, -40 and I thought it got chilly here!!
You drive an "Arctic Cat Jaguar Z1" by any chance?