Hi there, we’ve just bought this 85hp TwinAir: https://www.transauto.co.uk/used-fiat-500-reading-berkshire-2283180

I’ve bought the Haynes manual
For it but one thing I am not used to is topping up oil as required with the twin airs.

Firstly, do I use 15w40 fully synthetic (is that all these cars use and would it have had that oil in it since new?) and how often should I check and top it up? When it’s close to the min mark or always keep it close to max?

Thank you!

Don't use 15w40. It will use either 5w40 or 0w30 Selenia/Petronas fully synthetic or equivalent, most likely 5w40 being a 2011. I use Castrol 5w40 fully synthetic and change it every 12 months which is 3-5k miles, I also check under the bonnet every week so as they can use oil.

Thanks - I meant to write 5W40. If the current oil isn’t known which one should I pick do you think?

Also it is start stop - is there an oil recommended for that that is compatible with the TwinAir? Thanks!

If you don't know what's in it, change the oil and filter first and then top up with whatever oil you filled with.

Very important that the correct oil is used - it's not just the viscosity, it has to meet the Fiat specification which you will find in the handbook. I used a variant of Petronus Syntium in mine, but I can't remember the exact type. It has to have the C3 designation. I think Castrol Edge was also suitable, but was more expensive
I had my 2011 Twinair Lounge from new and ran it for 6 years and 46,000 miles, and the oil consumption was negligable between changes, which were carried out annually. It never went more than 10,000 miles between changes, usually less.
Keep an eye on the coolant, mine developed a slight leak from the tank where the return pipe from the turbo goes in. Others have also reported this. It was the only fault my car developed while I had it.
Good luck and have fun, they make a great noise!

Thank you!! I am on my way to collect it now and will give it a good try on the m40. The seller informed me it has 5W30 fully synth in it now - not 5W40. Is this ok?

Edit: actually I saw only difference is that 30 is for colder and 40 is for warmer climates and that the two can actually be mixed. I even read the 5W30 is superior quality and a bit pricier - and given that the car has that in now figured I’d go for this:?

Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL Engine Oil 4L Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL Engine Oil 4L: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Hope journey home okay. If Haynes Manual makes sense you can get major service parts for not much at all. Though the Twin Air not covered there's guides on here and youtube videos for filters and plugs.

I think 5W 30 oil is specified in later cars, but mine was 5W 40 in the handbook.
There is a small oil filter for the twinair valve system that can clog up and cause problems. May be worth searching for info on it on here and cleaning or replacing it.
On the other hand, if it's running fine you could just leave it!
Checking the oil when clean can be a bit of a faff as it's hard to see on the dipstick, which is under the filler cap. This should be screwed down before uncrewing and removing for a true reading.

Thanks for the replies! I have this kicking around 5w30 fully synth for stop start engines which ours is - would this be ok?

Its the A5 at the end that worries me..

That is the additive spec for a certain build range of engines..

What does the TAs handbook state?

Earliers post states a C3..??

Hmm ok - I’ll get the C3 kind then. Thank you!

The owners manual states 5W40 for the TwinAir with anything below potentially causing damage. It shows the 5W30 as for Diesel engines only. So if it’s had 5w30 in it, i should switch over immediately? The last oil change was done by a fiat dealer nearby only about 1000 miles ago (but 1 year), would they have a record of the oil they put in it?

Is this YOUR CARS handbook ?

Look on EUROCARPARTS..

Using your reg. Should display the correct oil grade

These two are on offer for about £25 and maybe the right one

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ngine-parts1/engine-oils/?521772471&1&cc5_248

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ngine-parts1/engine-oils/?521772211&1&cc5_248

John202020 said:

These two are on offer for about £25 and maybe the right one

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ngine-parts1/engine-oils/?521772471&1&cc5_248

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ngine-parts1/engine-oils/?521772211&1&cc5_248

Click to expand...

Good prices..

But they need to be pointed toward to CORRECT OIL..

Thanks both. Yes that was from my cars manual, but it was a generic one covering all models. Did specifically say my Twinair though as well.

Those two oils look a good deal! But they don’t say ACEA C3 on them, they state ACEA B2 and other numbers. It does state fiat spec 9.55535-Z2, but the manual says 9.55535-S2 (S not Z) so I guess this isn’t the quite right oil for the TwinAir

This one seems the best and meets the C3 and 9.55535-S2 in the manual:
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60457-castrol-edge-titanium-5w-40-fully-synthetic-car-engine-oil.aspx

I have put a lot of research into this 3 years ago when I got the misses our Twinair and found that the following oils suitable.
Castrol Edge 5w40 (which you have listed above)
Petronas syntium 3000 AV 5w40 (not the 3000 E) THIS OIL DOES MEET ACEA C3 READ THE PDF https://www.pli-petronas.com/en/motoring/car-engine-oil/products/petronas-syntium-3000-av-5w-40/
Castrol magnatec 5w40 (note does meet ACEA C3 however not recommended by Castrol themselves for the Twinair)

I have ran the magnatec without issue as I got it really cheap and now have got 3x5 litre edge which again I picked up on clearance from tesco of all places, I hope this helps you some what. PS the petronas is a steal at halfords atm.

Forgot to mention I also use the Japanparts oil filter PN= eco127 which can be picked up from micksgarage for around 4-6 euro. Most like to use genuine but this filter seems to be reasonably good and I for one cannot tell the difference between the two.

Thanks! I went for the Castrol edge one from Opie oils, 2x4 litre and a 1 litre for top ups in the car.

As for the oil filter, I’ve a range recommended from parts websites, one with the metal casing and one with the just the inner filter - which?