Hi, are any of the following oils OK to use in a 1.3 Multijet?

5w30 Semi synthetic
ACEA A1/B1 APISL CF

5w30 Fully synthetic
ACEA A3/B3 A3/B4 APISL CF
GM-LL-A-025, GM-LL-B-025
VW 502 00, VW 505 00

Thanks

What does your manual say?

madrat said:

Hi, are any of the following oils OK to use in a 1.3 Multijet?

5w30 Semi synthetic
ACEA A1/B1 APISL CF

5w30 Fully synthetic
ACEA A3/B3 A3/B4 APISL CF
GM-LL-A-025, GM-LL-B-025
VW 502 00, VW 505 00

Thanks

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For the Multi-jet it has to ACEA C2 spec with Fiat Approval plus 5W30
http://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=4180&sku=10684
Recommended option.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-978-fuchs-titan-gt1-pro-c-2-5w-30-synthetic-engine-oil-for-the-latest-peugeot-citroen-vehicles.aspx
ACEA C2 and Fiat Approval spec
Good supplier

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-6362-mobil-1-esp-5w-30-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
ACEA C2 (also qualifies as a C3 oil but still not recommended for the Petrol engine)
http://www.mobil.co.uk/UK-English-LCW/carengineoils_which-oil.aspx
Can be got in Halfords. Like this particular manufacturer but would still opt for Selenia

Too many petrol heads suffer from oil snobbery. Stick to the grade that the manual says. As long as the numbers are correct you're fine.

Contrary to general opinion for instance, halfords oil is fine. Remember, multi billion pound market. Don't be sucked in by clever advertising.

Google.....myths & truths about engine oil. Have a good read.

jimboy said:

Too many petrol heads suffer from oil snobbery. Stick to the grade that the manual says. As long as the numbers are correct you're fine.

Contrary to general opinion for instance, halfords oil is fine. Remember, multi billion pound market. Don't be sucked in by clever advertising.

Google.....myths & truths about engine oil. Have a good read.

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depends what you define as 'the numbers'

RobW said:

depends what you define as 'the numbers'

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To spell it for the novice, I'm referring to the oil specification codes that are printed on the label.

I never pay for branded oil, as long as its upto spec I will use it. I was having trouble finding the specs for the Multijet.

jimboy said:

To spell it for the novice, I'm referring to the oil specification codes that are printed on the label.

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the pedant in me prefers the stuff that was used by the manufacturer to endurance test the engines, if possible...

if that makes me a snob thats fine but genuine parts all the way

I think our issue is, we've got Selenia in it because that is what Fiat put in on the last service and indeed next year it will have Selenia because that will be the last time that Fiat service the car before it goes out of warranty in Feb 2014.

For 'topping up' purposes, I won't succumb at this stage to putting other oils in the engine, even if they are the correct spec because I wouldn't want to 'mix' two different manufacturer oils. That is probably barmy to some I realise!

Nothing to do with oil snobbery, just want to keep it all Fiat until the warranty expires. Then, it'll be Fuchs or Q8, which meet the spec and are considerably cheaper.

selenia is a rip off! dont know why! haha well i am on agip so that makes me guilty as it is not a c3 oil. = ((

oh well at least its 5w-40. car sounds good! after fixing gearbox under warranty i mentioned a weird noise in the engine area when pressing the accelerator in gear - i got it checked out and it turned out the service ppl left a plastic part in the engine area loose so now the sound is gone and the engine sounds just fine!

very wise

frupi said:

I think our issue is, we've got Selenia in it because that is what Fiat put in on the last service and indeed next year it will have Selenia because that will be the last time that Fiat service the car before it goes out of warranty in Feb 2014.

For 'topping up' purposes, I won't succumb at this stage to putting other oils in the engine, even if they are the correct spec because I wouldn't want to 'mix' two different manufacturer oils. That is probably barmy to some I realise!

Nothing to do with oil snobbery, just want to keep it all Fiat until the warranty expires. Then, it'll be Fuchs or Q8, which meet the spec and are considerably cheaper.

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Fiat... like any other company want you to use "their" chosen oil, to spell this out more money for them. Oil, as long as the numbers are correct, is fine.

Ironically, there are better parts on the market than some of the OE Fiat in some cases, but then again that's another story. Selena oil is no better than something equivalent with the same specification. The power of advertising & lifestyle is alive & well.

I use the term oil snobbery simply for the fact that some are easily convinced by expensive advertisement. I echo again, if you really want to know real facts about oil, read up on the web. "Truths & myths about engine oil" is a good starting point.

Bearing in mind, of course, that not everything on the web is guaranteed to be 100% accurate...

jimboy said:

Fiat... like any other company want you to use "their" chosen oil, to spell this out more money for them. Oil, as long as the numbers are correct, is fine.

Ironically, there are better parts on the market than some of the OE Fiat in some cases, but then again that's another story. Selena oil is no better than something equivalent with the same specification. The power of advertising & lifestyle is alive & well.

I use the term oil snobbery simply for the fact that some are easily convinced by expensive advertisement. I echo again, if you really want to know real facts about oil, read up on the web. "Truths & myths about engine oil" is a good starting point.

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I feel as strongly as you do about the alleged quality of oils and the numbers etc. I'm certainly not swayed or convinced by marketing hype. I think most of us are more than aware that all of the car manufactuers have their 'preferred' oil supplier, it depends on who they've set up a deal with I suppose. There are plenty of posts/threads on this site giving lots of opinions about which oil to use.

As I pointed out in my earlier post, my car is currently being serviced by Fiat because it is under warranty and it is my choice to take it to them. I'm also aware that the franchise I took my car to have put Selenia in because they are complying with the manufacturer recommendations. Obviously I could take it to an independent under block exemption, but who knows what oil they're putting in unless you either supply your own or insist on seeing exactly what they're using. I could also service the car myself, but if anything goes wrong, Fiat will just say, where's your VAT receipt showing which garage did the work? Goodbye warranty.

Once the warranty is over, I will put my own choice of oil in. It won't be Selenia I assure you.

RobinPJ said:

Bearing in mind, of course, that not everything on the web is guaranteed to be 100% accurate...

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I would agree with this, but in this case about oil, engineers & experts of more than a few years experience will generally agree that, as long as the the right numbers are on the tin so to speak, the product will be fine.

Just an as add on, I worked in the oil industry for over 30yrs & came across some clever engineers & even a doctor of the industry. I wasn't an expert on oil being a welder, but some of the guys I spoke with certainly opened my eyes.

madrat said:

I never pay for branded oil, as long as its upto spec I will use it. I was having trouble finding the specs for the Multijet.

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Below is the spec for DIESEL (Petrol has a Fiat 9.55535-S2 spec)

http://www.oilspecifications.org/fiat.php
Fiat 9.55535-S1 Qualification for Diesel and gasoline engine, with exhaust treatment system, lubricants, granting fuel economy and extended drain. OEM recommended product is also approved to ACEA C2.

Data sheet for Selenia 5W30 WR P.E.
http://tbl.onion.it/iframe_main_catalogo_prodotto.inc.asp?cod_prd=1412&id_lingua=2&id_livello=1&id_canale=1&id_categoria=8

jimboy said:

Too many petrol heads suffer from oil snobbery. Stick to the grade that the manual says. As long as the numbers are correct you're fine.
Contrary to general opinion for instance, halfords oil is fine. Remember, multi billion pound market. Don't be sucked in by clever advertising.
Google.....myths & truths about engine oil. Have a good read.

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Looking at a Halford’s ‘cheapie’ at £21 for 2L
None of their oils meet the C2 spec. Response from their technical team…
The specification of oil that you require for your vehicle is a 5W30 meeting the ACEA C2 specification. Unfortunately we don't currently carry this productbut it might be worth looking again in the future. As vehicle manufacturers have their own ideas on engine design this leads to their requirements for oils being different and this is reflected in the number of different 5W30 oils we need to stock.

jimboy said:

Fiat... like any other company want you to use "their" chosen oil, to spell this out more money for them. Oil, as long as the numbers are correct, is fine.

Ironically, there are better parts on the market than some of the OE Fiat in some cases, but then again that's another story. Selena oil is no better than something equivalent with the same specification. The power of advertising & lifestyle is alive & well.

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The numbers are Viscosity 5W30 , the spec i.e C2 and also having the Fiat approval code of Fiat 9.55535-S1

Another ‘snobbery’ oil that qualifies is the Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W30 (NOTE: they have an 5W30 oil labelled Diesel with the same name – do NOT get that) that costs a 'bargain' £37.
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-68973-shell-helix-ultra-extra-5w-30-premium-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx

Except that this one make has a technical partnership with Ferrari. This should keep the 'warranty department' happy.
http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC_GTDS_Shell_Helix_Ultra_AP-L_5W-30_(C2_Fiat_95535_S1_P_(en)_TDS_v1.pdf

I would consider this oil for the OHs MJ 1.6 when the time comes.

jimboy said:

I use the term oil snobbery simply for the fact that some are easily convinced by expensive advertisement. I echo again, if you really want to know real facts about oil, read up on the web. "Truths & myths about engine oil" is a good starting point.

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Had a 'quick read' of some of those references and IMHO it was a little dated. It recommended using a semi-synthetic to break the engine in - this is not possible on some of the newer design engines and would cause more problems since this grade of oil is too thick. A lot of new engines now are running very thin oils compared to what was previously used.

Well you will never guess what I found in ASDA for £20 :slayer:




wow hoo

madrat said:

Well you will never guess what I found in ASDA for £20 :slayer:

wow hoo

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Isnt fiat 500 oil 5w40?? Whats the difference betwen the 30 and the 40. 40 is thicker i guess?

I'm probably a marketting persons dream for saying this but putting Asda oil in my car would make me feel physically sick. Fine if the oil light has come-on unexpectedly & the alternative is a wrecked engine, but for normal top-up purposes & at service time, it's Selenia only.

It might be no better than other oils but my old Mk1 Punto ran on it & is still running at over 15 years old & the Punto & Stilo JTDs have had no engine trouble whatsoever & have been run on Selenia, so i'd rather just stick with it. Given my mostly positive experience of Fiat UK regarding goodwill out of warranty, i'd like to think paying an extra few quid for Selenia might save me a big bill (by means of goodwill) should the worst happen, but given the Selenia oil has never turned to sludge like other oils i've seen, even when the car's due for a service, i don't think i'll have any problems.

Why spend thousands on a car & then try & save £20 on oil. Doesn't make sence to me, just buy a cheaper car if you wanna save money.