oil change

[lasthope1967]

doing oil change on my citroen xsara Picasso desire 2.0 hdi 03 what is best oil to use,

[Hell Razor5543]

I am using 5W40 fully synthetic (and Gracie has a 2.0l HDi engine), but I am using Asdas' own brand (which may be Comma oil) and have done for a couple of years now. It costs £20 for 5l, but Asda are doing 4l Castrol oil of same viscosity for £37 (which is about £20 cheaper than Euro Car Parts).

What does the handbook say you use?

I would wait for someone such as citroenxm or Citronut to answer, as they will have a lot more experience than I.

[lasthope1967]

got no hand book with car,only had car for about 3weeks now,,just been looking at the service,log oil been used is 10w40

[Chlorate]

Prepare for this thread to be flooded with many conflicting opinions.

Personally, I always go for cheap and cheerful part synthetic with all the appropriate specs the OEM defines.

Everyone's experiences are different, however having seen a number of cars that have been serviced at OEM defined intervals with the cheapest oil going their entire life lasting well over 200k miles, I won't be doing anything different.

Of course some engines really do need a little more care. The old 2l HDi in my car is essentially bomb proof...

The important part is regularity and using the right viscosity.

[lasthope1967]

last service was 10/2012

[Hell Razor5543]

The choice of oil can be partly (at least) linked to your location. A thick oil, for example, won't do too well in cold conditions, as it may be too 'gloopy' to allow the engine to start properly on a very cold morning. It is also a matter of distances driven. The service interval on Gracie is 12,500 miles, but I don't do anything like this in a year, so I will do an annual oil change (along with all the filters). My company van, however, has a similar mileage interval, and hits it every 3 to 4 months (and is serviced by the leasing company).

At a guess (guess, mind you) your Xsara is likely to have the same mileage interval as Gracie, having similar engines.

[Old-Guy]

10W40 what? Semi-synthetic (probably) or Synthetic? Old-fashioned mineral oil is just about unobtainable now. But it's important not to mix types - according to the oil companies. Don't rely on what has been used previously - lots of garages stuff the same oil out of the drum in every engine.

I'm sure a bit of intelligent searching will reveal what Citroen recommend.

I agree that regular oil and filter changes are essential to long engine life - 1 year or recommended interval (whichever is shortest).

[qprdude]

Personally, I would only ever use fully Synth in the HDI engine. My choice is Mobil 1, but it ain't cheap.
Total Quartz seems to be what the Citroen service people use.

[lasthope1967]

looking on service log oil used was shell helix semi synthetic for then,, last one was triple qx semi synthetic on the 10,2012 so be doing oil change this week-end

[Peter.N.]

Morris's semi synthetic around £13 for 5 litres but change it about every 6-8,000 miles for reliable protection.

Peter

[Hell Razor5543]

Just been to Asda, and they are doing own brand 10/40 semi and 15/40 mineral at £16 for 5l.

[lasthope1967]

just orderd some Triple QX 10W40 Semi Synthetic 12.90 for 5 litres free p+p from good old ebay,,how much does the engine hold cheers

[electronmirror]

Sump capacity is 4.25 litres if it has air-con. 4.5 litres if there is no air-con.

That is according to the Haynes BOL for the 2.0 HDI engine in the Xantia. I'd expect it to be the same for the Xsara Picasso

[lasthope1967]

cheers mate it has air con,,,,