I have 1990 Volvo. Oil is low. Can I add OW- 40 advanced full syntgetic to it( that's what I bought a few months ago from walmart - suggested from them looking up in a book) ? Don't know what was put in from Valvoline who changed it last,( I think it was mixed) It's not due to be changed yet. It might be half a quart.Thanks

 

yes you can.

 

Thanks. For the future,when I buy another one,is that the best oil for it? Or does it not matter if I don't have to add much? Thanks

 

I'd worry more about changing the tranny fluid. The Red Block is the last thing to go out in a Volvo--usually the rest of the car is a sorry sight, the engine keeps chugging along... I bet few even think about the transmission, ever, and failure there is worse than the engine. Change the P/S fluid while you are at it!

Oh, and 10-30 is usually fine, no additives, dyno or full syn, but, yeah, full syn seeps more. Filter, I use Mann since I buy them in bulk but I really don't think any oil filter will hurt your Volvo, unless it's "home made"...

 

yeah, 10w30 is the standard oil for most temperature ranges short of sustained sub zero F.... and regular dino oil is just fine in these, although if I lived where it got very cold, I might use a synthetic 5w30 or 0w30 in the winter.

i was running Castrol 20w50 in our 240 when we first got it (bought new in 1987), because thats what my jetta used, but the shop said that was really too thick for the B230F

I second the motion on Mann (or Mahle) filters.... if you can't get those, Wix are OK, but I would avoid Fram and the rest of the mainstream big-box store brands.

 

I checked the transmission fluid,it still has enough in it. I thought I smelled a little burned smell today,so I checked both,but otherwise I don't know much about it..(that used to be my husband s job..)but I'm sure learning......( Our 1994 Dodge van needs additional oil every time I get gas...)... thanks for your help. Trying just to do my part. What is P/S Fluid? Thanks

 

P/S fluid is power steering fluid....and on these cars you can use the same ATF Fluid for the transmission in the power steering reservoir. I use Castrol transmax import fluid for both the transmission and power steering.

 

automatic transmission fluid should be changed every I dunno 60k or 90k miles and your tranny will last a lot longer. and yeah, I too use castrol transmax dexron III.

fun fact, the AW7x transmissions used in these 240/740/940's are the same basic transmissions used in rear wheel drive Toyotas such as the 80s Supra Turbo, as well as many Toyota RWD pickups

 

This 1989 maintenance service chart recommends...

Brake fluid - replace every 30,000 miles

Coolant - replace every 30,000 miles

Engine oil - replace every 5,000 miles

Transmission fluid - replace every 20,000 miles

Power steering fluid - check level every 5,000 miles

Other items to replace....

Air filter every 30,000 miles

Spark plugs every 30,000 miles

Timing belt every 50,000 miles

Fuel filter every 60,000 miles

 

I think 20k for the ATF is a little too often... I do it every 30-40k, works great. And even though I hesitate to question the Volvo Gods, the P/S fluid should be changed now and then, 40-50K?

 

Every 20k for the tranny does seem excessive and i was surprised to see no milage interval to change the power steering.

I flush the tranny through the radiator line every 40k or if the odo doesn't work every 3 years. Since i use the same fluid for the power steering I use the same schedule. However I just suck some fluid from the reservoir...fill it...run it...repeat a few times.