Engine Oil - Help Please

[Deskdiary]

I know nothing about mechanics so this question is probably stupid......

My car takes 5W/30 engine oil.

I've just been to Halfords and the own brand 5W/30 for my make of car is almost double the price of their 5W/30 for a Ford - therefore, tight sod that I am, I've bought the Ford oil.

My question is, as both are 5W/30, does it really makes any difference?

Thanks

[KJN]

What car do you have? Could make a difference.

[mikey4444]

No, I wouldn't have thought so....presumably Halfords oil has to pass the same stringent tests that the one marked Ford has to.

[Deskdiary]

KJN - a Mercedes with a 3000cc V6 diesel engine.

[mikey4444]

Sorry DD...misread your thread !

Its usual for Halfords to be cheaper, hence my mistake.

No, I would put the lowest price one I could find.

Incidentally, what does the handbook say ?

[KJN]

Does this help

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil?brand=Halfords&initMin=0&initMax=75/&cm_mmc=&_$ja=tsid:35582%7Ccid:70123069%7Cagid:3391784509%7Ctid:aud-271742666404:kwd-31770152869%7Ccrid:224459059837%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:11032205057758439098%7Cdvc:t%7Cadp:1t1%7Cmt:p%7Cloc:9045027&;gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvXPBRD-ARIsAIeQeoHsiHC10v-SW5X0564RG0xEMBiWSSqPbLBTKVWdCNGt_LZancDLziwaAmX1EALw_wcB

[EDDIE51]

It makes no difference just use the cheapest ,as long as it meets the prescribed standards it makes no difference.

[douglas9401]

Two things you need to do are:

1. Follow the instructions in the vehicle handbook and

2. Ignore any advice about just putting the cheapest in.

[mikey4444]

Dougie....I agree with Number 1, but why Number 2 ?

[Khandro]

For a high-tech engine like a Mercedes, you should use a full synthetic oil, which is more expensive.

[douglas9401]

Because of number one Mikey. The information isn't there just to pad out the book.

[ladybirder]

So you've bought the wrong one DD? Not fully synthetic?

[DTCwordfan]

what age is the car - for older cars fully syns can often be too thin and leak around the oil sump...better then to move to a semi-syn and eventually away to a good non-syn.

[EDDIE51]

I think all 5w/30 oils are fully synthetic. I may be wrong though.

[DTCwordfan]

generally, for the UK, a 10W30 suffices as well, we don't get the extremity of climate that a 0W or 5W or W40 or W50 is designed to protect against.....

[DTCwordfan]

http://www.shell.co.uk/motorist/oils-lubricants/helix-for-cars/helix-semi-synthetic.html

[DTCwordfan]

that answers your point, Eddie.

[EDDIE51]

Halfords 5W/30 is fully synthetic and is sold as Halfords / Ford oil
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil/halfords-5w30-ford-fully-synthetic-motor-oil-2-litres

[mikey4444]

DD....using that Halfords link that KN gave us earlier, what answer does it give you ?

[DTCwordfan]

Ford, like Halfords, do not make their lubs - it is contracted out - in this country, it could be someone like Crown Oil in Manchester or Castrol who blend under contract.

[DTCwordfan]

In the States, it was Conoco-Phillips who made it for Ford in Dearborn.