I'm sure this has been covered before, but this is the first time I've used this forum and I need to learn my way round.
To keep things simple I'm running an 1996 850 T5 with 165000 Km on the clock, and what to know what is the best oil and filter to look for.
I'm in South America so my choice might be limited. So far I've been offered Fram and Bosch filters and Shell's Helix 20/50 has been suggested for oil.

 

Stay the away from fram.. if you cant get Mann go with K&N or Bosch.

 

I get mine genuine from Volvo - they only cost me $17.00 an aftermarket one costs $14 here so I prefer to go genuine.

 

You know Mann is "volvo" right they are usually cheaper cause they dont have the volvo name on them

 

No Fram, they just don't do well in Volvos.

You could always order in a filter from IPDusa.com or FCPeuro.com If you have a friend in some other country it might be cheaper to have them pick you up a few and send them. I've run Bosch with no problems, Fram made it tick in the lifters on startup and during idling warming up.

The 20/50 would be ok in really hot climates as I'm guessing your's is.
If it get's close to or below 0 deg C I'd consider 15 or 10 something instead of the 20/50. Like 15/50 or 10/40 but that's just me. If you're regularly up around or past 40C I'd stick with the 20/50,

 

I've found a Bosch OB 3323 I think the OB refers to Brazil, just waiting for the plugs tomorrow.
Japanese cars are so much easier here, they just rob the parts to order

 

I run 5w30 in my car. Is this chart saying I should only use 5w30 if I operate my car when the ambient air temperature is 90*F or cooler?

If that is true, I guess it would be better for my car to use 10w40, because in the summer it regularly exceeds 90*F where I live?

 

I cheated with a generic table. This is what should be in your Volvo owners manual.

Engine Oil
Ambient Temperature
Less Than 68F (20C) .................. SAE 5W-30 API SH/CD
-4F To 100F (-20To 38C) .......... SAE 10W-30 API SH/CD
Greater Than 14F (-10C) ............. SAE 15W-40 API SH/CD

So ,,,,,, for just about everyone in summer there should be 15W40 in the crankcase. I use the thickest the temperature will allow me to for protection.

Volvo is not recommending anything past 15W-40 for it's engines and if it was under warranty I'd stick specifically with their recommendations.

I tend to run my engines a little hard and I prefer to use a little heavier oil. It's also being used in an engine with a few hundred thousand miles on it so the tolerances inside are likely a little looser and the oil helps make up for it a bit.

I'll run 10W30 in the winter because I have a good ignition system, strong battery and good starter. I think 5W-30 is just too thin for a turbo but that's just my personal opinion. In the winter I'm more careful, so not as heavy with the right foot due to lack of traction in Minnesota. I go heavier in summer as it's a turbo and I like to push it, 15W40/20W50.

 

What would you think about running 10w40 for the summer? What would the max and min temperatures be there?

 

10w40 is great for Summer. Consider your max and min temps, follow the chart and buy your oil. Dont over-think this.

 

You don't sound like the kind of person who would enjoy the Bob is the Oil Guy Forum! That's basically all that goes on over there regarding oil.

 

My chart is from the service manual. Between the two figure out what your temperature range is for the area you live in and you're good.

Like Boxpin said, 10W40 should be fine and I already explained why I use something thicker. We are talking about full synthetic.

I've been over there to the "Bob" site and no, I don't want to spend that much time thinking about my oil or if I can save .0005 cents an ounce changing brands and maintain the same molecular structure of additive G.

I've been there and there is a wealth of information and I've mined some. It's a very good site if you do need information and especially if you need detailed information but they talk about oil like I talk about a great steak or a beautiful woman , , , in great detail !!

- Bob is the Oil Guy

 

I run 10w-30 in the winter and 10w-40 in the summer.

 

Many thanks for all the info'. The job's now complete, which has been quite a learning experience here. From sourcing the parts, to buying a feeler gauge in "Spanglish"
I even managed to find a mechanic to do the dirty work and go under the car, to drain the oil and change the filter, in return for $5.
Now all I need to do is convince my wife that it's safe to drive to Cuzco.

 

Tell her that cars are stupid and do not know how far they have traveled. They don't know the difference between 30 miles and 350 miles.