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  • New Volvo owner requires help with first oil change

I have inherited my mother-in-laws 740. I am now working my way through the basic maintenance. I would like to know what is the correct oil? 10W/40 or 15W/40?

Thanks

hd

Is it turbo or n/a? Year model? Does it get cold where you live?

I don't believe the 4 cylinders in those cars are too picky with oil weights. My parents 240gl, which I believe has the same engine as the 740, has been run on plain jane 20w50 for the past 150,000km, it's up to 480,000 atm. Still runs like a top and burns no oil although the climate in QLD is a bit warmer and it's had its fair share of wear so a grade thicker is expected. 15w40 is usually conventional oil and 10w40 is semi-synthetic so the former is usually much cheaper, I don't think it matters all that much but I could be wrong.

There's your official specs from the manual if it's been lost.

Welcome!

Where abouts are you located?

How many km are on the car?

Sorry just realised, I had left all that information out.

1987 740 GL B230F non turbo. 338,000 approx.

Wollongong area. New South Wales. Temperate climate.

Supercheap auto and Autobarn are throwing up different results when I punch the rego number in.

For winter, 4 litres of 10w30, 10w40 or 15w40 will be suitable

In summer, stick to 15w40

You don't want any heavier than 15w40, it gets harder for the oil pump to distribute oil to the areas that need it the colder it gets

@hdholden I reckon 10w40 or 15w40 for normal use. 10w50 or 15w60 if you thrash it.

Fuel economy will probably be better with the lower weights.

Volvo OEM or Mann filter do a good job.

7500km or 6 month interval works for me. Occasionally let it go to 10000km.

Ran Penrite semi synth 15w40 and Ryco z89 religiously in my old b230fb and the internals were spotless. They're not really picky as long as you change it regularly.

Ryco filters are good quality now. Before you purchase though, make sure the filter has the valve inside. This keeps oil in the filter for better oil feed when ever the engine is started. A must for a cold engine.

Or, buy a genuine volvo oil filter

Do a bulk order with FCP EURO, they have return and replacement guarantee on EVERYTHING, when worn out or used even oil!

Pack of filters and other things for service works out ok price wise even with high post cost. Ozvolvo has shipping deal with them too.

Thanks for all the constructive advice.

I will go with the 10W 40. At the moment the car is not going anywhere with the lock down.