24 replies to this topic

[Grayedout]

Agreed but I was making the more general point that a clear oil is not always good !!!!

Everything oil related is a comprimise with a Mini due to the shared oil so as said above for an automatic then change the oil every 3,000 miles and you should be okay !

[Garagiste]

I meant the question about synthetics in the context of autos, but I take the point.
If I might respectfully suggest that if it's question that comes up so often that a merge of the largest threads and a move to FAQs might be in order?

[Jammy]

The point about oil going black; its good since it shows the oil is doing its job and keeping the engine clean. It is however not good to keep it running on black oil!

These topics about oils tend to just turn into arguements, such that I don't think there is one topic which would be suitable to present as an FAQ!

Synthetics shouldn't be used in any mini engine, auto or manual.

[Garagiste]

....
These topics about oils tend to just turn into arguements......

No they don't! >

[Jammy]

Ahhhh, what do you know anyway! Your just a nobody!

[Garagiste]

Right, that's it - outside, now!

LOL, sorry way OT, but couldn't resist.

Edited by Garagiste, 26 July 2006 - 01:31 PM.

[ceejam]

Rover only specified 10W40 for the newest Minis as that's what the rest of their range (K series wth hydraulic tappets) were running on, and what they "had lying about" (bought in large quantities) it has nothing to do with the suitability of the oil for the Mini!

[Jammy]

Why would they specify something they had lying around? Surely it doesn't matter what they have since the consumer can get whatever grade of oil they want?

[Grayedout]

Yes the consumer can get whatever they want but Rover will have assumed for at least the first few services then people will have gone back to their dealers !

Running on black oil is not a problem as long as there is still more dispersant additive than there are bits of rubbish !!! But of course you cant easily check this !!!!

Change it every 5,000 miles and you wont go wrong......anyway with Mini's its usually the viscosity decrease that determines the life of the oil rather than its debris handling properties !!

[Dan]

Different lubricants have always been specified for different territorial climates. 10w40 has always been specified for territories where the overnight winter temperature may fall below 10 f (yes it's in fareneheit, guess how old that makes the chart...) which includes most of Britain I think. In fact for Esso and Shell oils in these territories a 10w30 was specified. Haynes and other manuals and people writing for magazines tend not to print the entire chart but sumarise it into one type of oil for a given era of production. If you have genuine manuals you get more info.

Sorry if I sounded 'snippy' before. Not intended.

Edited by Dan, 26 July 2006 - 06:27 PM.