[Gar]

Archie,

As a fellow Brit now living in the USA, who owns BOTH UK & US 328GTS cars .... use Shell Helix in the BLUE container for your UK car. It is 10-40 semi synthetic.
In California, I can use 15-50 ONLY because of the climate.

[t1fosI]

I thought I would resurrect this thread...

Interesting web page - http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html covers a lot of general info on oil specs.



.

[Abarth]

Originally Posted by t1fosI

Hi Dennis,

I don't think it is a stupid question, it is quite interesting (I think so anyway so maybe I am the dummy!! ).

I went to the Shell website today ( http://www.shell.com/home/PlainPageS..._3May2007.html ) and they have a listing according to make and for the 308/328 they list HELIX ULTRA 5W-40, underneath it says for hot countries 15W-50. It doesn't say anything for cold countries.

The GulfOil site gives the same viscosities ( http://www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/framese...=1133&langid=1 ).

The Castrol Selector (which looked remarkably similar to the Gulf oil selector!) reckons 10w60 (15w50 - hot countries). ( http://www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/framese...=1156&langid=1 )

The BP selector (which is the same as Castrol!) reckons 0W-40 (15w50 - hot countries). ( http://www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/framese...=1204&langid=1 )

The Mobil selector asks how cold it is where you are, but I couldn't get it to work. ( http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/Mo....aspx?option=2 )

Then I ran out of time...

btw there are listings for the Testarossa and other models as well, but couldn't see anything for colder climes like Canada.

.

There are no stupid Q's regarding oil. That's where everybody agrees.

What makes me a bit confused is that Castrol recomends you to use a lighter viscosity at hot conditions when every other brand recomends a heavier oil in the same conditions.

Either t1fosI made an error (very rare ) or Castrol has a bug in their recomendations table.

Best regards.

[Abarth]

I checked Castrols recommendations table and got a little more confused.

There were no recommendations for the older models except for the Mondial.
“Se owner’s manual” was the recommendations.

Something else puzzles me too, isn’t the engine in the 456 and the 550 the same except from the compression rate? 456 10,6:1 and 550 10,8:1. And of course the slightly higher power +50 hp.The recommendations for the 456 is the cheap Magnatec 10W-40 oil and the recommendations for the 550 3 different types much more expensive oils.
1. SLX Professional Longtec 0W-30.
2. TXT Softec 5W-40
3. TWS Motorsport 10W-60.

As I said in the previous post, there are no stupid questions regarding oils.
Only stupid answers and recommendations that makes it harder and more difficult to choose the right type of oil.
Just to make everybody even more confused, why use mineral based oils at all?
Is it only because the engine is worn? If so, why not use a fully synthetic oil with a bit heavier wiscosity?

The fully synthetic oils molecules are the same size while the mineral based oils have different sized molecules, which results in higher friction.
On top of that the fully synthetic oils have improving additives to reduce foaming, carbonizing, disintegrating and friction.

[Granucci]

I used to use Aqip, as per every time I took it to the factory dealership, Ferrari of San Francisco [owned by Ferrari Spa]. But over the last two years have absolutely changed over to RedLine products, per mechanics recommendations.

Both the Mondial T and 456 use 5/40 as 0/50 no longer available.

Been very satisfied with the redline products. Aqip wasn't up to it, and paid quite a premium for them...but, Ferrari dealership couldn't think outside the [original] box as that's what the manuals told them was certified to original specs.

Even though Ferrari has upgraded their recommendations for newer models.

go figure.

[Neonzapper]

Here are two threads you may find interesting re: oil...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...#post138452052

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...ht=dr+haas+oil

Michael

[Gcalo]

I would highly recommend Redline oil. See: www.redlineoil.com

Forget the oils Ferrari recommends. Both of those vendors are heavy, heavy contributors to Ferrari's F1 program.

Do you smell collusion here?

They are many theoretical oil threads and that's great, but where (so to speak) the rubber hits the road, there is a huge difference.

My engine runs about 5 degrees cooler with Redline. I use 5W40.

When it comes to the tranny the Redline has made a dramatic difference especially in 2nd gear shifting. It's 75W90NS.

Try these and you will be stunned.

Rik, you'll be surprised to learn that if Brain changed your oil you have Redline in your engine and tranny's.

[flyingboa]

I used to have Motul 10W50 in my 328. Oil pressure was too high.
Last oil change I went to Shell HELIX ULTRA 5W-40. It is much better, pressure wise. I will stick to that.
Ciao
Eugenio

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by flyingboa

I used to have Motul 10W50 in my 328. Oil pressure was too high.
Last oil change I went to Shell HELIX ULTRA 5W-40. It is much better, pressure wise. I will stick to that.
Ciao
Eugenio

+1, I use Shell Helix 5w 40 in all my Ferraris and am quite happy with it.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by Neonzapper

Here ... interesting re: oil...


http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...ht=dr+haas+oil

Michael

Dr. Ali E. Haas : Chemist/Oil especially is a great resource and that link is a must read for anyone. Been following him for years.

rik

[Gcalo]

I have looked at that thread and many others refer to it.

However the pratical side of things far exceeds the theory side for me.

I am sticking with Redline. I see the differences from other oils, and for me that is the practical side.

I do not support oils recommended by manufacturers because there is always a reason for their insistence. In the case of Ferrari, AGIP and Shell are huge contributors to Ferrari's F1 program. So that's a definite now for me.

As to engine oil, my engine runs quieter and cooler with Redline.

As to transmission oil, my transmission shifts worlds better with Redline, and I am about to change it again!

[Granucci]

+1 : Yup, for now, Redline for me - don't forget WaterWetter for coolant problems if you must.

however, would highly recommend you sort coolant heating problems FIRST before WaterWetter. One must resolve the root cause before applying bandaids, no matter how good the bandaid.


rik

[Granucci]

Couple other oil threads here, and tranny fluid threads too, so search those, but:

Originally Posted by archiegibbs

When I bought the 328 I was given a litre of Agip 10-40 semi synthetic oil for topping it up. When that ran out I bought a litre of Shell Super Helix 10-40 semi synthetic.
I've noticed that there are all different grades of oil and viscosity:
0-30
5-40
10-40
synthetic
semi synthetic
Castrol, Mobil, Shell, Agip ...etc

What's the best oil for a 328, and is there any difference in quality between the big oil co's and the generic own brand oil that the autoparts stores sell?

Finding 0-50 or 0-40 is very tough.

Originally Posted by marlin

AGIP SINT 10W-40 is factory specified, so keep with the 10W-40 semi synthetic. I always think cheap oil is exactly that, so I stick with names I know .... as per your list.

AGIP is not even recommended by Ferrari anymore, although, they recommend better oils, I can state that as late as three years ago they were still insisting on AGIP [Ferrari of San Francisco, Ferrari owned dealership] BECAUSE it was in the book. Not saying they don't read their own updates or don't care, but they stuck me with older, lest able oil.

Since then I have gone, with 5-40, or 5-50 REDLINE for all fluids and NEVER looked back: quality product and use in all vehicles.

[venus]

My Ferrari certified mechanic just put Rotella T 15W40 in mine.