Hello, my car is a 2004 V70 2.4 non turbo and I have used conventional motor oil all along. I went to Jiffy lube today that strongly recommended synthetic and not conventional for my car as supposedly the manufacturer choice for this vehicle. I can't find anything in the manual that specifies which type of oil except for SAE 5W30.

Also my engine has been burning oil lately, no leak but a new quart per 200 miles. The guy told me that synthetic oil would last longer and my engine doesn't deal well with conventional.

So what should I use? Conventional or synthetic for my non turbo v70?

Thanks!

 

Volvo did not require synthetic until 2013. Your car uses conventional.

If its burning oil, its just going to burn more expensive oil if you put synthetic in.

 

Oil quality

Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-2, including ACEA A1, API SJ, SJ/CF and SJ/Energy Conserving.

Your Volvo has been certified to standards using ILSAC oil specification GF-2 5W-30. Volvo recommends use of oil with a quality rating equal to or higher than ILSAC GF-2. Equivalent and better oils include ACEA A1, API SJ, SJ/CF, and SJ/Energy conserving. Lower quality oils may not offer the same fuel economy, engine performance, or engine protection.

Volvo Cars recommends Castrol.

Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide superior fuel economy and engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer for recommendations on premium or synthetic oils.

Oil additives must not be used.


NOTE: Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintenance services. This oil is only used at customer request, at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.


Operation in temperate climates
Incorrect viscosity oil can shorten engine life. Under normal use when temperatures do not exceed 86 °F (30°C), SAE 5W/30 will provide good fuel economy and engine protection. See the viscosity chart below.

Operation in hot climates
When temperatures exceed 86 °F (30°C) in your area, Volvo recommends, for the protection of your engine, that you use a heavier weight oil, such as SAE 10W/30. See the viscosity chart below.

Extreme engine operation
Synthetic oils meeting SAE 10W/30 and complying with oil quality requirements are recommended for driving in areas of sustained temperature extremes (hot or cold), when towing a trailer over long distances, and for prolonged driving in mountainous areas.

 

1 qt every 200 miles??!!

Your engine have a serious issue. I'd look into PCV and valve stem seals.

 

White smoke = oil burning on metal or hot exhaust even if it's coming out of the tail pipe so check you're breather/oil vapor hose or cam seals for any leaks including banjo fittings.

Black smoke (only from tail pipe) = combustion of oil in the engine and would check PCV system or other possible oil leaks in the system.

I hope this little guide will help out on this situation.

 

When a car is using oil, first look is, did you change the PCV valve every 3 years or so? Because the car sucks oil up the tubes if your valve is bad. Translate per your cars equipment.

RE: OP Question, IMHO:
I prefer to use synthetic reguardless. You end up changing it less often. Synth handles higher temps, so it doesnt "burn" as black in the hotspots inside the engine and deteriorate into as much black burnt oil. If you have a turbo you should be using synthetic. If you want to change oil less often you should use synth too. If you're that guy that forgets to change it as often as you should, you should use full synthetic so you can get away with this.

btw, blends are not full synthetic, maybe 20% of a blended oil is actually synthetic. This is akin to using 4 Quarts of dinosaur oil and one quart of sythetic. The dino oil will break down just a fast and black and gunk up your filter and engine even if there is a small amount of synthetic in it. So dont bother unless you go full 100% synth.

In Ancient times when synthetic oils were new to the world, there were issues, which still condition people's responses. Long past, the oil companies changed additives in synth oil to address those issues.