Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

Technical Oil top up problem

Currently reading:
Technical Oil top up problem

J

JD82

Established member
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Messages
927
Points
191
I bought some oil top up oil when I got the car serviced 1700 miles ago, however I have now lost it.

The dip stick is now just over half way, so it will need topping up sooner or later. The dealer sold me some Shell Helix 5-40 which is what they put in whey they serviced it.

The receipt just says Shell Helix 5w 40 but didn't say what type, i I had to phone the dealer and they insisted it was fully synth I need to get. Does that sound right?

I was thinking of buying this, it meets the FIAT spec:-

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pv-90037-...ign=GoogleBase_ProductsFeed&utm_content=90037

Would it be the end of the world if I did end up mixing different types given it is an old fashioned engine (FIRE) and I guess less fussy to engine oil types than newer engines.
 
It's fine, if I remember correctly, the manual specifies semi-synth 5w40 for the 1.2, so fully synth is perfectly fine, it'll be even better for engine.

Someone with manual should correct me, but didn't they go to an Xw30 oil for the Eco models?
 
KozmoNaut said:
Someone with manual should correct me, but didn't they go to an Xw30 oil for the Eco models?
Click to expand...
Pretty sure it was still 10w40 for the Eco. Changes were minimal. I think the gearbox oil was different.
 
It is an Eco model, but the oil has already been changed to 5/40. Just spoke to FIAT directly and they said as longs as I use 5w 40 fully synth then it won't affect the warranty at all and on that engine the other specs are not important, it is the correct thickness FIAT are bothered about.

Must say I am very impressed, an 0800 number and took me just a minute to get through.
 
READ THE MANUAL. Fiat might have said over the phone that viscosity is all that matters, this is completely bull**** and this person obviously has no idea. There are ACEA specs that the oil MUST meet and there are reasons for keeping to specs. Read your manual and buy your oil accordingly........
 
He suggested it didn't apply for the UK. I have so far unable to find any oil which meets the spec, so I do wonder if it is indeed a mistake. I spoke with Opie too who where confused as apparently C3 is normally used for diesels.
 
JD82 said:
He suggested it didn't apply for the UK. I have so far unable to find any oil which meets the spec, so I do wonder if it is indeed a mistake. I spoke with Opie too who where confused as apparently C3 is normally used for diesels.
Click to expand...
I suggest that he's a ****ing idiot and you should read your manual.
 
JD82 said:
http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Suggests the C3 spec is formulated so it doesn't damage diesel particulate filters, which my car does not have.

That said I am going to buy the Selenia to top it up with :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I would just get the Selenia to be honest. It's the recommended oil in the manual for the 500 which has the same engines of course.

On a separate note, is it just me or shouldn't all main dealers provide Selenia oil? Given that they charge premium rates for servicing and labour, you'd think they would use the best quality components in line with their own documentation.

I know that there are plenty of decent oils out there but this is a real bugbear of mine. Perhaps I'm just an unreasonable grumpy t*** though....:D
 
No I agree with you, and I am changing my dealer as a result of this. The problem is FIAT dealers are all generally crap. As soon as the warranty is up, I am using my local backstreet trusted guy and I will buy the oil myself.
 
JD82 said:
http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Suggests the C3 spec is formulated so it doesn't damage diesel particulate filters, which my car does not have.

That said I am going to buy the Selenia to top it up with :)
Click to expand...

The Selenia oil that's specced for petrol 500 engines meets the ACEA C3 standards. This really is one of those cases where you need to READ YOUR MANUAL AND ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE INFORMATION IN THERE RATHER THAN HAVING A LOOK ON THE NET AND FINDING SOME INFORMATION WHICH YOU THEN INTERPRET WRONGLY. I really can't say it any clearer than this.
 
Super Uwe said:
Yeah I would just get the Selenia to be honest.
Click to expand...
Waste of money, it's usually much more expensive than equally specced oil from other brands.

On a separate note, is it just me or shouldn't all main dealers provide Selenia oil? Given that they charge premium rates for servicing and labour, you'd think they would use the best quality components in line with their own documentation.
Click to expand...
Selenia isn't the "best quality", it's just Fiat-branded midrange oil sold at a premium price. The reason the manual specifies Selenia is because it's Fiat's own brand.

Any oil with the same specs will perform equally well. Read the manual, go to an auto parts store and find the cheapest oil that meets or exceeds the listed specs. The 1.2 won't mind, it's a solid proven design and hardly the most sofisticated engine in the world.

Heck, my dealer garage (which is the largest in the country) alternates between Mobil 1, Castrol and Valvoline depending on which deals they can make with the manufacturers. They specifically don't use Selenia because Fiat charges way too much for it.
 
Last edited:
The only 5w 40 oil which seems to exist which meets the FIAT spec is made by Selenia, so I wonder if that is the only reason for listing the C3 spec, which is designed for diesels?
 
jd82 said:
the only 5w 40 oil which seems to exist which meets the fiat spec is made by selenia, so i wonder if that is the only reason for listing the c3 spec, which is designed for diesels?
Click to expand...

seriously stop this!!!! Stop it now!!!!!

Read your manual!!!! What does it say in there???????
 
Ignore the C3 spec, it only applies to compression ignition (ie. diesels).

Follow the ACEA A or B spec listed in your manual.
 
306maxi said:
seriously stop this!!!! Stop it now!!!!!

Read your manual!!!! What does it say in there???????
Click to expand...

Calm down now Mr 306maxi we dont want you coming to any self induced rage harm lol!
 
Ffoxy said:
Calm down now Mr 306maxi we dont want you coming to any self induced rage harm lol!
Click to expand...

I'm not going to harm myself. I'm just trying to make dingus understand that it's what's in the manual that matters, not what's written on the internet, what opie says or what some halfwit @ Fiat CS says.
 
KozmoNaut said:
Ignore the C3 spec, it only applies to compression ignition (ie. diesels).

Follow the ACEA A or B spec listed in your manual.
Click to expand...

Please don't ignore the C3 spec, it is actually not to do with diesels specifically......

http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/pub/070308_ACEA_sequences_2007_LD_and_HD.pdf
http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/oils.htm

C3-04 Petrol and light duty Diesel engines, based on A5/B5-04 mid SAPS, two way catalyst compatible, Higher performance levels due to higher HTHS.
Click to expand...

If he read his manual though......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Technical Oil light
Replies
6
Views
209
LaverdaJota
L
V
  • Question
Technical Low Mpg and top speed
Replies
8
Views
344
koalar
koalar
C
Technical ECU problem
Replies
7
Views
227
clarkey555
C
G
Technical Reverse gear problem
Replies
3
Views
181
koalar
koalar
Bamboocross
Technical Rattle from the top mounts
Replies
1
Views
330
koalar
koalar
Back
Top