After looking through the Jaguar service receipts I noticed this car has always had dino oil installed instead of synthetic. I've heard stories of people having problems with engines after switching to synthetic oil in other vehicles, which would be best to use when I change it the next time.

 

Mike,

If you do a forum search, you will find endless threads on this topic. I say "endless" because there is neither agreement nor definitive answer. There is plenty of opinion which will be sufficient to keep you reading for a week or more.

Graham

 

Thanks Graham, I did a search on Oil recommendations and didn't see anything. I guess I'll continue using dino oil since it gets little mileage each month.

 

Quote from a previous post:

 

 

Mike,

If it's run happily for 16 years there's no particular incentive to change. A premium brand of the appropriate viscosity for your climate is adequate.

Perhaps greater importance is the need for regular changes (on a low mileage vehicle this will be on a time basis - every 12 months) and, if using anything other than an OE Jaguar oil filter, to make sure it has a non-return valve to reduce drain back when parked and assist rapid pressure build up on starting.

Graham

 

Thanks Graham, that's what I was thinking as well. The Jaguar dealer is 50 miles from me so I will research non-return valve filters to find one locally. I imagine WIX Filters will have one for it.

 

Oh,but it's not been proven other than in lab tests.

Practical real world results indicating that engines last longer because of synthetic oils just don't exist. I've been looking for them for almost 40 years extending back to my professional career and have yet to find anything that proves it as you infer.If you've got something please post it to put me out of my misery.

 

discounting my own 50 year experience in the transportation service industry, which is 100% anecdotal in nature, the information regarding the benefits of synthetic lubricants is not hiding under a basket. So, sorry, I can't waste my time to try to enlighten anyone with an apparent closed mind.

I'm sure you'll do just fine filling the crankcase with Sperm Whale oil.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-104/


Z

 

 

Flat-Eather's

 

Marketing spend by the oil company concerned seems to be a major concern for many people when choosing what type of oil to use in their cars. If your engine watches TV then you will need to spend more on the oil to get a brand the car will like the look of. If you don't have a TV in the garage you can probably get away with a cheaper brand.

I use the stuff from the local filling station - they are the biggest oil company in Spain, their oil isn't expensive, meets the spec in the handbook and they even sponsor Formula 1, so the car is happy.

 

I am a car mechanic (kind of) and repaired probably 100 engines. I use cheapest oil I can find in Walmart for all my cars. I usually use 20w50 oil for all cars, but I live in FL. So, if you live in Northern state (all states except FL) don't do it.

 

People often ask me, "Stu, what kind of beer do you like?" My reply is always, "whatever is on sale!"

 

SttuG…

Beer taste awful anyway....Never used any in my XKR as I prefer Mobil 1 (20/40)! I'll bet you wouldn't say "Whatever is on sale", if I ask you what brand of Scotch you prefer?
Now you know what Brand and Weight of Oil I use, you need to know that I try to change that used Oil at least every 4,000 Miles....Or if it starts turning dark, maybe a little sooner.....It's a Texas "thing"!

BC in Houston

 

more important than type of oil or brand is knowing if your usage is the severe service kind. very many owners and especially collectible or specialty car owners are in this situation. yes, synthetic and overall better oils can make up for this with their additives, but nothing beats removing the contaminants. this car is hilariously easy when it comes to changing the oil and filter. with the right collection pan and a flat surface it is not necessary to raise the car. the oil actually drains more completely with the car level or slightly tipped forward. also, according to an automotive engineer friend, more damaging to an engine is solid particle contamination of the oil caused by engine air leaks, combustion debris and intake air. he states that the filters and changing the oil make more of a difference than anything else outside of ridiculous oil neglect. hence it is more important to spend money on very effective oil and air filters and making sure that the intake system seals well as well as checking other avenues for unfiltered air infiltration. many manufacturers also determined that oil filters last a long time and can service two or more oil changes. inspecting them over the years verifies this. actually many filters perform better once they are run for a little while. if you check the manuals for our cars, there is a severe service recommendation of every six months.

 

I use Mobil 1 10w30 Synthetic and change it and the filter every 6000mi. The car now has 135,000mi on it and does not burn any in between. The recommendation to go with the viscosity for the temperature area you live in is also important.

Gus
www.jagrepair.com

 

I have a tendency to use Unipart 5w30 fully synthetic(which is actually made by Fuchs) bought off ebay in 20litre containers with free postage- it meets the requirements of Jaguar and is very reasonably priced due to the quantity ordered. My 2003 4.2 has just passed the annual MOT here in the UK, part of which is the emission test including the HC level 200ppm max - with 114000miles on the clock it gave a reading of 13ppm( the HC test is a good indication of engine wear - the higher the level the more oil being burnt and emitted as hydro carbon in the exhaust gases).
I concur with Gus, regular oil and filter changes at 6000 mile intervals would seem to be more important than the actual brand of oil used in my experience.

Paul