What engine oil is the most popular choice.

[adam]

Hi all
I have always used Duckhams Q20/50, which gave good oil pressure. Now no longer made, so need some advice on which is the best choice. Penright HPR30, Millers Classic 20/50, or Castrol XL 20/50. Thanks for any advice. Adam

[Echezeaux]

Adam,

I use Penrite Hpr 40 - 25w70 because of the heat here in AUS, but after talking with the state rep, I will change to Penrite Classic light 20w60 for the added zinc.
Not as easy to find than the HPR.

Cheers.
Thierry

[1954Etype]

Hi all
I have always used Duckhams Q20/50, which gave good oil pressure. Now no longer made, so need some advice on which is the best choice. Penright HPR30, Millers Classic 20/50, or Castrol XL 20/50. Thanks for any advice. Adam

I use Halfords Classic oil - cheap and is changed at 5k each year

[daverawle]

I use Total Quartz 5000 15W40 which is rated API SL/CF ACEA A3/B3. It's cheap from farmers supply depots.

[Heuer]

Millers Classic Sport 20W/50 at the moment but anything vaguely similar for top ups when touring as you are not exactly spoilt for choice in most French Supermarkets. I think I used 2 litres of Total 10W40 semi-synthetic this time. It gets changed once a year (4,000 miles) so no point being too precious about it.

Penrite is getting increasingly difficult to find in the UK.

[D COUPE]

Millers for Me. Good quality readily avaliable and not
overpriced. Makes You want to change it more often!

DC

[adam]

Hi
Thanks for the help,Penrite seems hard to find close by so i will give castrol 20/50 xl a try

Thanks again Adam

[daverawle]

I wonder about 20-50; looking at the VIN plate on my car 40 weight was the highest of the mono-grades of the time and recommended for 'tropical' use only. 50 weight is syrup :-)
Dave

[Tony]

Does the e type service manual recommend changing the oil every 4000 miles?. It seem rather low and often. Or is it just something people prefer to do from choice?

[1954Etype]

Does the e type service manual recommend changing the oil every 4000 miles?. It seem rather low and often. Or is it just something people prefer to do from choice?

Tony, can't remember what the interval is but if you do 5K miles pa in your car, that would be exceptional. Don't forget the earlier oils were not as good as the modern stuff.

[Tony]

Cheers 1954Etype,

I suppose it's at best for me every two years based on a change every 5,000 miles.

i am using Castrol as that's what the previous owner suggested.

[adam]

Hi
2500 miles is the recomended oil and filter change which is about a years motoring for me. I change at the end of driving season so no combustion contaminents and acids sit in the engine over winter.I think 20/50 is a direct replacement for 40w.Fresh engine oil regulary is much cheaper than an engine rebuild its just something i always do but thats just me.

adam

[Larry Wade]

HI Adam,

20/50 is not the direct replacement for 40W oil. 40W oil is the direct replacement.

If you live in a very hot place (like the Southwest US) changing to a thicker oil (e.g. 20/50) is a good idea. If you live in a cold, miserable place (e.g. the UK) you should follow the spec. 10/40 is a very good choice for an e-type.

I differ from most of the respondents in that I think it is silly to get cheap on oil. Oil is for free compared to every other cost on an e-type. I use Red Line oil. Others I know use Mobile 1.

Changing at 2500 is not needed any more (unless you drive on dirt roads or get caught in a series of huge dust storms). Today's oils are buffered to deal with combustion products and are much more stable thermally than those available back in the day. I'd recommend changing oil at intervals of 5K miles, or 1 year, if you use a high quality oil. Even that is probably paranoid....but since oil is for free why not be a bit capricious with it?

Best regards,
Larry

[Heuer]

Unfortunately Larry the cost of oil over here is rather more than you guys have to pay in the US. Five litres of Mobil 1 costs about $75 so about $300 per oil change by the time you have added the extra 3 litres and oil filter. I can't disagree with you though over the fact that Mobil 1 10w40 is a very good oil and is capable of protecting the engine beyond 5,000 miles. Unfortunately you are also right about the UK being cold although I would hesitate to call it miserable apart from today, obviously - wet and cold :(

[daverawle]

From what I understand, and this is only down to what I read and my interpretation, the 'W' refers to the lower number (15W-40). The 'W' means winter - so basically meaningless. The viscosity spread of that oil covers the requirements as per the VIN plate on my car. I can't see the plus of a pegged oil pressure gauge - I prefer to lower the viscosity so it doesn't happen.
Dave