Anyone know if Total Quartz 9000 5w40 is any good for the Punto mk2? Found some at a good price compared to the Castrol 10w40 I've used previously - just want to check it's not known for gumming up engines or anything?

Cheers
Ben

10 or 15/40 semi synthetic. So, why bother with something more expensive? Halfords or Lucas (American stuff that a lot of factors now stock) will be just fine and have the right viscosity. Around £16 a can.

fingers99 said:

10 or 15/40 semi synthetic. So, why bother with something more expensive? Halfords or Lucas (American stuff that a lot of factors now stock) will be just fine and have the right viscosity. Around £16 a can.

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Cheers mate.

I'm looking at £17.60 for 5L at the moment, which is the only reason I'm considering it to be honest. I live in the frozen north and from what I've read I gather that the lower viscosity of 5w40 when cold gives slightly better fuel economy and reduces cold start wear.. I did run the old Punto on 5w30/40 (can't remember) for a while and it seemed to get better MPG than when I had it on 10w40.

Is this correct, or is there no practical difference?

If it's cold, 5w40 all the way!

I'm using Castrol 5w40 "LessFuel" at the moment, i think i payed 23€ for 5 liters of it but it was nearly a year ago and i can't remember properly, so that would be less in pounds i think. I'm getting very good fuel economy out of it, combined with feather foot when performance isn't needed or there's a red light in front of you (i don't understand why some people accelerate like crazy when they have to brake immediately after). But i have no idea if it works because i've never used any other oil to compare to.

By the way.... when you measure your MPG's.... you're using imperial gallons aren't you? not the american ones?
Let me show you a link. http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=50+imperial+mpg+to+km/l
If that's correct then i'm getting more than 50 mpg equivalent

Thanks, nice to see I was thinking on the right lines!

Yep using imperial units, think my current average (50.4 mpg) works out at 5.6 L/100km if I rememeber correctly. Had it up to 60 mpg on the motorway Would like to get 50 + mpg under normal conditions (mostly lanes and main road with the odd longer dual carriageway trip) - did it before in the old Punto, just taking it steady.

The higher figure is the one to "worry" about. 5W means its thinner when cold than 10W so better in the North, but it general use the car will be the same. 5 or 10 - 50 would be better as its thicker when hot but also much more costly.

WhiteSei said:

The higher figure is the one to "worry" about. 5W means its thinner when cold than 10W so better in the North, but it general use the car will be the same. 5 or 10 - 50 would be better as its thicker when hot but also much more costly.

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Surely 5/50 being thicker when hot would give the engine more work and reduce mpg??

Not enough to notice 60 grade is used for racing! The low cold weight is more important for startup protection.