non turbo. Let me preface my post by saying I am new to the family of "Volvo owners" so this question may seem somewhat elementary to most of you guys. I just purchased 1995 850 GLT-non turbo with 194,000 miles. I have been told to use synthetic oil. I have read a thread in this forum concerning oil but it was for a Turbo 850. So I would love to know what most people in this forum use in their Volvo's of similar age and mileage. Thanks in advance for any info.

***Also, I live in Memphis, Tennessee so the summers are HOT and humid and the winters get cold but dont stay cold for as long as cities farther north.

 

I live in Little Rock Arkansas so you get our leftover weather. I use full synthetic in all of my cars (Volvos). Turbo or not. However, if you have oil leaks or are burning oil, I have heard that the switch can make leaks worse. So, if you have NO leaks, and are NOT burning oil, and can afford it, USE full synthetic oil all the time.

 

I also only use synthetic in mine.

 

My 1995 850 GLT (non-turbo - like yours) has over 220K miles on it. It does burn some oil. I use 10-30W "High mileage" oil. I use almost any brand, including Supertech from Wal-Mart. I will not use Quaker State. Next spring I will try 10-40 for the hot weather. I change the oil every 3,000 miles.
If you read the owner's manual it states you can use 15-40W oil, but I do not think that really applies to the USA. Most of the 15-40W sold here is for Diesel engines, so I would avoid that.

 

I run synthetic oil in everything I own and have for the last 15 years.

 

Whatever you do, stay far far away from Castrol. Castrol in the US is not the same as the European Castrol.

What I run in my car is Valvoline MaxLife (Synthetic Blend). I tried Mobil 1 Full Synth, but it leaked.