Can I top up my banger with this oil? HELP

AdrianC

mr1974 wrote: »

The oil light has started to blink

It's not an oil level light, it's an oil pressure light. When it comes on, it does so because there's no oil circulating around the engine - it's sucking in air rather than oil, because the level's below that of the pickup.

Oil, lights, tyre tread and pressure, washer fluid - these should all be WEEKLY checks.

Norman_Castle

^My previous car and a friends current car, both diesels, have oil level lights which blink if the car is parked on a slope.

The oil light has started to blink when I am on a reclined slope, and I think a top up is in order - it had already been highlighted at the last MOT.

Start by checking the oil level.

Netwizard

Stoke wrote: »

oh and before anyone says "halfords oil is cheap sh*t or Euro Car Parts oil is cheap rubbish" -
Halfords oil is manufactured by oil giants Comma.
Euro Car Parts own oil is manufactured by Shell.

It's the supermarket rubbish you need to avoid.

Ive used Oil from all the above sources in the past with no problems.

However, Supermarket oil will be just as good as oil from ECP or Halfrauds. After all, Asda/Tesco do not make their own engine oil. A quick google suggests Asda engine oil is made by Castol but don't take that as gospel

londonTiger

oil level blinking on a recline doesn't necessirily mean it's low on oil. Could be just the placement of the sensor.

I would check the dipstick if I were you. Could just be on the minimum oil mark - which is safe but needs 3-400ml more oil in.

I would think oil sensor would be place where the oil is low - but not low enough to cause damage, as a preventive measure. That's just basic common sense. What use is a warning that says "I'm starving, about to die", it would be better to have a warning that says "I'm going to be hungry soon"

AdrianC

londonTiger wrote: »

I would think oil sensor would be place where the oil is low - but not low enough to cause damage, as a preventive measure. That's just basic common sense. What use is a warning that says "I'm starving, about to die", it would be better to have a warning that says "I'm going to be hungry soon"

Damn near every single car has an oil pressure light.
VERY few have any oil level warning gauge or light. A quick google suggests that few does not include the OP's - but, of course, the handbook will confirm that.

SilverSaloon

it needs topping up but no damage should of been done yet. - if its a "low level" light rather than low pressure. Check the dipstick on level ground as above either way.

Confirm 5w30 is correct for the engine and if it is, then either of the two you mention will be OK.

If its not been changed for over a year, then it would be worth buying enough of the special-offer Castrol at ASDA and do a proper oil change. replace the oil filter at the same time. & air filter.

its easy to do yourself with basic tools (look for vids on youtube if unsure). or buy the oil and ask a family/friend who is more DIY to do it for you for a few pints maybe?

londonTiger

Netwizard wrote: »

Ive used Oil from all the above sources in the past with no problems.

However, Supermarket oil will be just as good as oil from ECP or Halfrauds. After all, Asda/Tesco do not make their own engine oil. A quick google suggests Asda engine oil is made by Castol but don't take that as gospel

I wonder who makes castrol/shell oil. Would be funny if they bought theirs from the same refinery. :rotfl:

Shell is an oil company, castrol is not. So not entirely implausible. I guess bottom line is the additives and filteration. Just because castrol sells bulk unbranded supplies to a supermarket does not mean they are using the same QC or adding the same additives.

Netwizard

londonTiger wrote: »

Just because castrol sells bulk unbranded supplies to a supermarket does not mean they are using the same QC or adding the same additives.

True. My car is 17 years old so I just think the oils made today, regardless of who makes them, will be much better than the oils that were about 17 years ago, so whatever I put in my car will be better than what was available when it was new

Any brand of oil is better than low / no oil at all

boatman

Halfords has the cheapest oil deal at the moment, £10 for 4lt, its actually made by Comma.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_1009580_langId_-1_categoryId_165581

mrmot

I like to check the oil before test, if it's got too little or too much in it I'll refuse to test it and get on with the next one.