The manual states 10w40 but can I risk 5w30 which offers better cold cranking and according to opinions I've read, better wear protection at running temperature?

The car's done 120k miles.

The manual also states 5W40 and 5w30 as valid options. You'll be fine. I recommend using an oil flush if you're changing brand though

I've never used an engine flush treatment.

I presume you add it to the existing oil and do a few miles prior to the oil change?

An oil flush is not recommended, you can actually do more harm by putting chemicals in the engine damaging oil seals for instance.

Thanks for the warning about the engine flush.

So if I decide to use 5w30 on the next oil change, just a straight forward oil and filter change.

May I ask what is the purpose of engine flush products if they can actually cause harm to seals? ... I'm a tad confused!

I think I'll change the oil to 5w30 before winter to ease cold starting and better running.

I've never come across/heard of any problems using a higher spec oil change, in saying that a 10/40 oil is more than good enough for the Punto. Too many people tend to worry too much about which is the "best oil"

Risking another bad mouthing by another forum member on here, I will utter the best thing you can do is regular oil & filter changes....

diyspanner said:

Thanks for the warning about the engine flush.

So if I decide to use 5w30 on the next oil change, just a straight forward oil and filter change.

May I ask what is the purpose of engine flush products if they can actually cause harm to seals? ... I'm a tad confused!

Click to expand...

Bottom line is profit. Companies that sell these potions rely on some drivers naivety & worry. Any car manufacturer will state not to use any additive, in fact in the past there have been court cases against certain companies claims at what their potion is capable of when added to your engine. Snake oil is the term used for people in the know.

Then its a straight forward oil and filter change if I use 5w30 next time.


5w30 compared to 10w40 gives better cold cranking and better wear protection at running temperature, or so I've been advised.

I posted on a VW forum about the ATD engine in my Bora and I was advised about the benefits of 507.00 (5w30) over 505.01 (5w40).

I would advise against this oil in a 15 year old moto
10/40 of a half decent ma k e is better and your tappets won't rappit too

I did a recent oil change.

I put Fanfaro TSN 10w40 in, Fanfaro being a brand of the SCT Germany group. Mannol and Fanfaro are brand names of SCT, the blending plant being in Lithuania.

I ordered Mannol TDX for my old 45TD Rover but it was out of stock so the seller sent me the Fanfaro, supposedly a higher spec. I scrapped the 45TD before its oil change so I put it in the Punto.



So the tappets will suffer with 5w30?

I may just split the difference and use 5w40 next time.

Better cold cranking than 10w40!

No problems with oil flush from here. Used it a couple times. Pour in, idle the engine for 20 minutes (depending on what is it of course, follow instructions on what you get), then drain. It can free up some particles that might otherwise be grown to the inside channels. I'm making the switch from 10w40 to 5w40 when I run out, but sticking to same brand and oil.

Which oil brand do you use brinker?

Some people get sucked in by certain things regarding the combustion engine. Modern cars do not need this sort of thing. Mainly made up of paraffin & costing a fiver upwards for a wee bottle. Four litres of paraffin can be bought for little more. Sludge will only build up in a neglected engine, as long as regular oil changes are done there is no need for this sort of thing. At best you are wasting money, but along with what oil some will not change the habit of making themselves feel better because they feel they've done the right thing. If you really must feel the need to flush an engine, use flushing oil, a different thing altogether.

The engine oil changes are regular so an engine flush is probably as waste of money for the car.

I am favorable to using a 5w40 though. Better cold cranking but thick enough for the 1.2 8v tappets at working temp as mentioned above.

next you'll be saying an enema is a waste of money

jimboy said:

An oil flush is not recommended, you can actually do more harm by putting chemicals in the engine damaging oil seals for instance.

Click to expand...

I second that.I used an oil flush ( not on a fiat) and it must of dislodged something because the engine hydraulic valves started ticking. On an unknown engine I normally drain and refill with any cheap oil. Then run for a while then do an oil and filter change.

atom0007 said:

next you'll be saying an enema is a waste of money

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Actually there are instances in medical conditions where it is not recommended or advisable the use of enemas, it can be not without bad side effects.

There gonna he some benifits with 5w30
But at the moment we are in heat of summer/spring in the uk
10w40 wpuld be better

As flisko pointes out
On an old motor there is a good chance its started to burn a little bit of oil
Its natural as oil fills the gap of wear around piston rings
A thinner oil will past easier

Sure 5w30 wont kill an engine
But on an old lump it may show the age faster then u might think
And then people go mad cause this oils killing there engine, no infact the engine was already dying the thinner oil shows it up.more

If its despirate for an oil change and on 5w30 was in stock no 1040, then id happily stick it in!

Ziggy