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I have a 2009 S60 2.5T that I bought brand new. Currently have 2,800 miles.
When I hit 3,000 miles I was considering doing my first oil change and switching over to full synthetic oil. So my questions are:
1. Is 3,000 miles too soon to do the first change and make the switch to synthetic? If so, when should I do it? I was planning on doing this first early oil change and then following the recommended intervals after that using full synthetic oil.
2. Is the switch to synthetic even worth it? Some people tell me yes because the car has a turbo that may be cooled better by synthetic oil. I don't even know if the oil lubricates the turbo on the 2.5T.
3. Any other recommendations related to oil changes and synthetic oil?
Thanks in advance,
Peter
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yes it is worth it - Mobile One or GERMAN (not the US garbage) Castrol Synthetic (the US is BLENDED Synthetic - look carefully at the label and it will tell you which it is)
3. Mobile one every 5k and you will be good.
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2002 S60 T5 Manual - Eurosport Tuning Ultra-Flo Intake - H&R Lowering Springs - Bilstein HD Sport Struts and Shocks - Evolve Exhaust - QBM Strut Tower Conversion - Rica Stage 1 Tuning - Bits and Pieces of look good parts.
Bearings in a turbo (essentially located between the "hot" exhaust impeller side and the "cooler" intake side run hot -- its their nature. And while I can't speak for your newer model, my 06 V70 cautions in the manual to let it run before shuttting it off to let the oil cool the turbo. I suspect your's has some sort of similar information in it telling you its oil cooled.
Synthetic oils handle heat better than conventional oils -- they don't "cook" as much. So hot spots don't cook any oil. 1980's turbos (pre syn oil) were
notorious cookers whose bearings seized and trashed the turbo (see Chryslers for good example). You spend a little, but can save a lot. If you're gentle and rarely use the turbo, you can get by on regular oils, especially if you reduce the change interval (i.e. 3.5K) and do let it idle after running. Some do both, but I suspect they are the "lead foots" of this group.
I would say definitely worth it to go with synthetic, the extra cost will protect that engine and turbo so much better than any conventional oil could..
I would go Mobil1 or Castrol Edge but any synth is better than conventional..
Regards oil change intervals, I would not go anywhere even close to the reccomended 7500... On the s80 forum we usually agree that 5000miles is a nice change interval for naturally aspirated, an 3500 for turbo...
Lastly, just stick with the OEM filters, and you will be good to go...
I personally put a magnetic oil drain plug just to see what metal chunks go around in my oil, just for that little extra protection...
I would say definitely worth it to go with synthetic, the extra cost will protect that engine and turbo so much better than any conventional oil could..
I would go Mobil1 or Castrol Edge but any synth is better than conventional..
Regards oil change intervals, I would not go anywhere even close to the reccomended 7500... On the s80 forum we usually agree that 5000miles is a nice change interval for naturally aspirated, an 3500 for turbo...
Lastly, just stick with the OEM filters, and you will be good to go...
I personally put a magnetic oil drain plug just to see what metal chunks go around in my oil, just for that little extra protection...
+1 on all the above.........No such thing as too frequent oil changes. I personally do 3500-4K on Oil changes on my Turbo 850. You don't have to do that low of an interval but 4500 Is also good....
Looks like I will be switching to synthetic, that seems to be the consensus.
My 2009 came with 5 years/60k miles maintenance from Volvo. Oil changes only include conventional oil, however, the service manager says that I can upgrade to synthetic buy only paying the additional oil cost. They will likely milk me for it though. As well, I bet that they use Castrol Syntec.
Volvo will only cover an oil change every 7,500 miles under this included maintenance. I'll have to think about slipping another one in at the middle of the interval. It seems that some posters think this is a good idea, others think it may be unnecessary. Decisions decisions.
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Switch to synthetic oil?
As well, I bet that they use Castrol Syntec. 
