Castrol GTX 15W40

ifti

Hi,

i have some of the above oil, its brand new and i am thinking of using it in a Nissan Micra 1994 L-Reg with low milage.

will it be ok ?

i think its a mineral oil and not semi-synthetic

thanks in advance

Pssst

See here

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

Having said that,surely that brand of oil is suitable for many bog standard cars??

goldspanners

Pssst wrote: »

See here

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

Having said that,surely that brand of oil is suitable for many bog standard cars??

its not the brand that matters,its the viscosity that matters. if it were 10w40 then i would be confident it would be ok,but i would double check the 15w40.

ifti

the car is quite old its a 94 plate.

im just thinking weather its ok to use a mineral oil

in other cars we use 15W40 too but that semi-sythentic based

Inactive

I am sure it will be fine in a car of that age, fresh Castrol will no doubt be better than old, dirty engine oil.

AdrianHi

The GTX oil your looking at is intended for cars over 70,000 that might need help reducing oil consumption due to wear. Not strictly neccessary for your car unless you have an oil consumption problem.
With a service interval of 9000 miles a (more expensive) synthetic or even semi-synthetic oil is not neccessary.
1994 Micra 1.0 or 1.3 petrol Castrol's top reccomendation is Edge 0W-30.... but they recommend that for every car, top quality synthetic oil good for most cars, designed for extended service interval cars covering 19,000-22,000 miles+ between oil changes (yes really, my car is like this). Being a thinner viscosity oil but still holding it's grade at higher temperatures it will save you a touch on fuel, possibly give you a bit more go but probably not worth it or money saving for your car.

Castrol's second suggestion for your car and I think the one to go with is Magnatec 10W-40 A3/B3 a more conventional mineral oil. A conventional mineral oil is absolutely fine for 9,000 miles use in a car that will never be racing round a track punishing the oil with extreme temperatures.

Synthesising mineral oil is what a "synthetic" oil is (i.e. it's still mineral oil) but the synthesising process allows you to produce an oil that's thinner, especially when cold but still maintains it's grade (lubricating properties) at higher temperatures and is more resistant to breaking down in the engine as it's used - allows for longer service intervals. So even if on conventional mineral oil you would normally need a 15W-40 grade oil, a 0W-30 synthetic oil of this nature is OK as it can hold it's grade at temperature.

sorry, probably way too much information, learnt all this from an oil expert who posts on a car forum I visit a lot. If you want even more detail I'll post a link.

ifti

AdrianHi wrote: »

The GTX oil your looking at is intended for cars over 70,000 that might need help reducing oil consumption due to wear. Not strictly neccessary for your car unless you have an oil consumption problem.
With a service interval of 9000 miles a (more expensive) synthetic or even semi-synthetic oil is not neccessary.
1994 Micra 1.0 or 1.3 petrol Castrol's top reccomendation is Edge 0W-30.... but they recommend that for every car, top quality synthetic oil good for most cars, designed for extended service interval cars covering 19,000-22,000 miles+ between oil changes (yes really, my car is like this). Being a thinner viscosity oil but still holding it's grade at higher temperatures it will save you a touch on fuel, possibly give you a bit more go but probably not worth it or money saving for your car.

Castrol's second suggestion for your car and I think the one to go with is Magnatec 10W-40 A3/B3 a more conventional mineral oil. A conventional mineral oil is absolutely fine for 9,000 miles use in a car that will never be racing round a track punishing the oil with extreme temperatures.

Synthesising mineral oil is what a "synthetic" oil is (i.e. it's still mineral oil) but the synthesising process allows you to produce an oil that's thinner, especially when cold but still maintains it's grade (lubricating properties) at higher temperatures and is more resistant to breaking down in the engine as it's used - allows for longer service intervals. So even if on conventional mineral oil you would normally need a 15W-40 grade oil, a 0W-30 synthetic oil of this nature is OK as it can hold it's grade at temperature.

sorry, probably way too much information, learnt all this from an oil expert who posts on a car forum I visit a lot. If you want even more detail I'll post a link.

a huge thank you for the information, just what i wanted to know.

its a great help and has cleared alot of things up.

i prob wont be getting GTX for the car but will be going to German and Swedish and get thier oil, they usually have oil made by Fuchs. it seems pretty good.

Im also after oil for a 306 T.Deisel 97 82K miles.
I used Semi Sythentic 15W40 oil two years ago, its what they gave when i asked for oil for the 306. i used Full Sythentic last year 10W40, what would you recommend this year, shall i stick to the 10W40 or the 15W40.

i asked for the Full Sythentic last year but they were saying i should take Semi Sythentic as thats what they recommended me.

thanks in advance.

also the link would help for future reference.

Quinny_2

I use Shell Helix diesel 10/40 in my 406 HDi,and have done for the last 3 years,since I bought the car,as I was able to get it foc.

It's the one in the blue container and is available,surprisingly,from Shell garages.

I have used Millers XFE diesel oil in the past,and can also recommend it highly.

AdrianHi

ifti wrote: »

also the link would help for future reference.

"oilman" from opei oils posts on a number of mortoring forums, here is one that doesn't need a password to access. As much info. as any one can take on different engines oils I think!
http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10371&hl=oilman
If you go to www.castrol.co.uk and follow the "Whats the right oil for my car?" link you can look up oils recommended for your car. "Synthetic" Edge is nearly always recommended, cheaper alternatives if applicable also there.

I wouldn't put synthetic oil in an older super mini like a Micra, but I did use it in my old Mitsubishi Galant V6 that didn't need it, but I got better mpg by enough to offset the extra costs and it seemed to run smoother on it - just a touch.