Oil types

Personally, I use either Mobil1, Castrol SynTec or Valvoline Full Synthetic, whatever has the best price at the time or has enough in stock. For us here in flyover country, 5W30 is the best choice. The "official word" was:

USA/CANADA
Use engine oil that meets or exceeds API SJ/EC and ILSAC GF2. SAE 5W/30 is the preferred
engine oil in most climate conditions although SAE 5W/40 is acceptable in moderate to hot
conditions. Synthetic oils can be used, but must follow the same viscosity guidelines in the
chart.
MEXICO ONLY
Use engine oil that meets or exceeds API SJ/EC and ILSAC GF2. Vehicles for the Mexico
market must use fully synthetic oils of the following viscosities:
ÔÇó 5W-40, 5W-50
ÔÇó 10W-40, 10W-50
ÔÇó 15W-40, 15W-50

See what I'm talking about, Mexico MUST USE synthetic, not so in the US and Canada. Stupid marketing folks.
The higher viscosity oils should only be used at consistent high temperatures.

Hope that helps!

Steven,
What brand would you recommend? Castrol? BMW has a long association with them. And do you agree with the 5W 30 for year 'round use?
Jay

If you stick with the major brands, I believe they are basically equivalent. I've read the off-brand/store brands have been found to be less than fully synthetic in some cases. So use oil from the big boys and I think you can feel comfortable.

Cheers,

Thanks, again Steven. I may not go to just once a year but I will certainly start stretching out the change intervals and watch the cleanliness of the crude. And 5w30 synthetic it is. Are all synthetics essentially the same or do you favor one?

Edited on 2011-04-14 11:28:42

Leonard,

Yes, you really should use 5W30 oil. Most all modern engines are using a lighter weight oil these days due to improvements in manufacturing. The big reason here though is the variable valve timing units. They are basically hydraulic units and are designed for a given viscosity fluid, in this case the oil.

On the second part, I'm going to recommend you quit wasting your money! Synthetic oils are so superior to conventional oils that I'm OK going the full service interval of 10,000 miles. Now since you only drive 5000 miles in a year, you could put yourself on a program of a once a year oil change with synthetic oil and go a little easier on your wallet. That would leave you about 3 extra tanks of gas for some days trips enjoying your Jaguar!

Just my opinion, you understand. :-)

Cheers,

Steve,

Are you adamant about 5 W 30?

I am in NY and my mechanic has used Mobil One 10w30 every three months or so as the car gets about 5,000 miles a year.

Bad ideas?

Thanks.

Steve,

Synthetic oil is always a good idea. I try to get anyone who will listen to use it. Jaguar never specified synthetic oil only because it increased the "Cost of Ownership" over the life of the warranty period. Marketers, ya gotta luv 'em! Not!!

Just remember.......5W30.

Cheers,