Thread: When to service the D4?

There is a rumor that VW dealers sell CASTROL SLX PROFESSIONAL POWERFLOW C1 5W-30 in 5 or 1 liter bottles.

If you intend servicing with your local dealer they should have topped it up for you. Mine did with the D3 when it used some oil from new. I assume the D4 is doing the same as the D3: the block absorbing oil to begin with?

In amongst all the verbage in my owner manual, page 204 footnote 1 says that if you can't get the full spacification (bla, bla, bla), "...an SAE 5W-30 engine oil meeting specification ACEA:C2 can be used". A bit further down it says that "Land Rover recommends: Castrol". I've found that most (but oddly enough, not all) Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 oil containers meets spec C2.

That said, page 206 "Topping up the oil" says to leave the ignition on (push button with foot off brake) when topping up oil to have the computer register the oil level being filled and leave it on for a further 5 minutes. Somewhere else (the Disco3.co.uk website?) I recall reading that it takes the diagonstic computer (or the BlackBox Solutions computer, not just fault resetter) being plugged into the D4 to get an oil change registered. If someone bit a bit more solid information than my muddled memory can correct/update how to top-up and/or change the oil it may help us all. This has certainly put a bit of caution in my mind to just doing my own oil change without more knowledge.

Originally Posted by trobbo

if in doubt change it out.

[snip]
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, changing the oil would be it. The long term benefits of oil changes have been proved by scientists
[snip]

I doubt they were the same 'scientists' that watch over and advise on oil change intervals of 100,000km in large over the road semi's.

Originally Posted by RoverLander

This is good info on when to service. I will do one at 12K even though the manual clearly states 24K.

I've noticed that my oil level has dropped slightly since new. Nothing to worry about. I'm about to do a 5K trip and wont be near a LR Dealer. I want to take some oil in case I need a top up.

Today I went to the local dealer to see if they could sell me some. Answer... No they just have big drums of the stuff. What oil do I buy then I asked. Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 and its fully synthetic they say.

Went to buy some at Supercheap...its available but its not synthetic and does not meet the oil specifications stated in the owner manual. Checked website... no such Magnatec synthetic oil available.

So... what do I take in case I need to do a top up somewhere... does anyone know?

Take a clean container in and ask for it to be filled out of their bulk (220l) drum.
I've done this before with Land Rover PAS 14315, etc.
Most dealers will be fine with this.

If there's no fuel dilution don't sweat the longer intervals too much unless you do a lot of short trip, (under 20km) or stop/start city commuting.
If you do mainly highway/interstate runs 24k km OCI's are easily achievable on a modern premium syn oils running <10ppm sulphur diesel. (if TD)

I used to go 20,000km easily on an IDI Nissan when fuel was still 500ppm and then 50ppm sulphur running premium syn oil (all highway/country towing miles)

I have probably mentioned this before, but I don't think any oil is good enough to go 24,000Klm's on a new engine. If you are spending top $ on a Disco, changing the oil at 12,000Klm's is a tiny investment.
By chnaging the oil every 12,000Klm's, your engine will last longer and you will get more money for your vehicle when you go to sell it.
Cheers, Craig

I had my oil and filter done at the 6 mth 12k service. I was told I didn't need to. I explained that my D4 tows a caravan and that I will be doing oil and filter every 12k.

Originally Posted by mowog

I had my oil and filter done at the 6 mth 12k service. I was told I didn't need to. I explained that my D4 tows a caravan and that I will be doing oil and filter every 12k.

My LR dealer said the same to me and response was the same.