I have just picked up a 1984 240DL wagon with some serious milage. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to the appropriate viscocity oil I should use or if anyone could recommend a brand/type. I changed the oil the second I got her home and used 10w40 "High Milage" (Valvoline). She's got 273K and runs great. I'd like to keep it that way.
Thanks,
Matt

I think that viscosity is fine. I use 10w30 valvoline but unless you live in a real cold climate, 10w40 should be just fine. Just find one you like and stick with it.

I used Valvoline 10w-40 for the first 170,000mi. Then I switched to Mobil 1 15w-50. No, it did not start leaking, and the light oil consumption went down from 1qt per 3000 miles to 1/2qt per 3000 miles.

Lou

I have a '92 240 with 165,000 miles. I've taken it to a Volvo reconditioner garage for checkout and some repairs. All of the Volvos he sells and he and his staff drive have over 100,000 miles. He swears by Shell Rotella 15w-45. He and his other mechanics say 10w-30 (that's what I was using and what the owner's manual calls for) is fine for when it was new, but with the higher mileage one should get away from what they call "sewing machine oil". They also think the "High Mileage" oils are just hype and are basically no different than regular oils except for price. This garage buys Rotella by the 55 gallon drum from Sam's Club. Their experience with this oil is that it still works fine with the winter temperatures. We live in Eastern PA.

Good luck with your latest find!

Mark

Just today I read this facinating article on oil:


http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article105.html

(Sorry the Link feature of the fourum didn't seem to work, just now, so you have to copy & paste)