Checking oil

[Xf30d]

Where the hell is the dipstick on a  xf 30D is it done by a sensor in the sump?  My mechanic looked at it and even he's perplexed

[Jon Hyde]

Hi Daniel,

There isn't one!

It's all done electromagically, you have to run the engine for a bit, then switch off and wait for several minutes before pressing and holding the button on the left stalk. Car must be level and warmed up.

Hope this helps!

[LostBloke]

Hello.

As my parking space is on a slope, I check my oil on my weekly shopping trip. As I've often forgotten and started up and drove off, I now leave a duster across the speedo as a memory aid.

[Coolcity]

Can anybody recommend an oil for the 3.0d V6?

Having never had a diesel car it must be 10+ years since I've bought any oil other than on a service. 

[Bigvic]

Oil spec will be in the handbook

[Coolcity]

I know. 

The reason I'm asking is it specs WSS-M2C934B ONLY but when you're looking online the descriptions rarely actually show the relevant spec. 

[LostBloke]

I was recommended to use Shell Helix Ultra 3w - 30.

[Bigvic]

You should go with the specs in the handbook

the specified oil might be low ash which won’t bung up your dpf as much

[Coolcity]

I've got a couple of official recommendations now, one from Castrol and I think the other was from Shell. I'll post the details tomorrow. 

Seems the thing to be careful of is the manufacturers tend to use the same branding for all the different variants (e.g. Shell Helix Ultra), but there are different types and not all are low ash.

 

[Bigvic]

Doesn’t matter who makes it

it’s the spec that’s the important bit

[Coolcity]

That's what I meant. It's a matter of finding the right spec that seems to be the issue. I normally keep a 4-5L can in for when I need it, but using Castrol as an example, I wasn't able to find the recommended C1 type. Having contacted them I now know it's because they don't do a retail size larger than 1L, so I've just been researching who does and asking which one I need to buy which is the correct spec. 

For example, ask around and you'll probably be told by many garages that Castrol Edge 5w-30 is the one to buy, but the one you'll find is generally the one marked LL, which isn't the recommended C1 spec quoted by Jag. One is low ash (C1), the other one isn't (LL - see photo) but to look at the label most people wouldn't know there was more than one version. How would you? 

 

 

[Bigvic]

I get mine from smith & allen

don’t ask me what my oil spec is, I only look when I need some - but it is low ash…

have a look at their website

[Coolcity]

I bought this one in the end. Added it to my watch list and the seller sent be a 5% discount, so it worked out at £44.41. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353226405081

Then found it cheaper. 🙄

[Bigvic]

That happens to me often too

always a bummer…

[LostBloke]

Has anyone any knowledge of this oil? 

https://www.carlube.co.uk/

It's amazingly cheap on Ebay

[Coolcity]

Carlube have been around for years but are better known for other lubes, screenwash etc. I've always wondered about oil, if some is much better than others or is it all the same? It has to be produced to a certain standard I would imagine. Are we just paying more for the big brand name? 

[LostBloke]

According to their website their oil match all the standards required, you just enter your reg number and full details are given.