Thread: Engine oil for Defender Td5?

I have used Castrol R 5W30 since almost new. Towed a 1500kg to Darwin and back in the hot weather with no issues. However, my service manager is recommending Castrol R 5W40 for towing and hot weather.

Trev.

I use Castrol Formula R 5w/30 but they have just changed it to another name supposedly better oil. Any 0 or 5w will suffice. I only use synthetic in the diesel.
Be wary of any mechanic telling you to stray from what the manufacturer recommends. Ask him if he will honour your warranty if you change oil grades because LR may not. High tech turbo charged diesels run light oil to be effective. To heavy a oil will cause poor fuel economy and may actually block oil galleries. Sounds like your mechanic does not really have a clue. Gone are the days of running earthmoving diesel oil in your car.

I use shell helix ultra 5w/40. It's a fully synthetic...the best oil Shell sell. I'll probably never know whether it's better or worse than any of the other synthetics. But, at the 20% off Supercheap sales it's $39 a bottle. I'd rather change it twice as often....

<span style="color:blue">my brand of choice in oils is penrite......


i run penrite HPR Diesel 5......</span>

Thanks guy's, yeah I would rather stick to what has been used to date and recomended by LR.

Just to clarify Castrol TXT Softex went to Castrol R, and I do believe is now called Castrol Edge Sport. They are all full synthetic, able to be mixed and 5w/30.

Usually the owner manual or workshop manual will have a chart of oil viscosity vs max and minimum expected temperatures.
Perhaps look to that for guidance.
Being old fashioned I still think 5W30 is pretty thin for high temps. The 30 is at 100C. Does the oil get over 100C? Probably in sand work in 40C.
regards Philip A

Originally posted by Captain_Rightfoot
I use shell helix ultra 5w/40. It's a fully synthetic...the best oil Shell sell. I'll probably never know whether it's better or worse than any of the other synthetics. But, at the 20% off Supercheap sales it's $39 a bottle. I'd rather change it twice as often....

I just bought a bottle of that one for the next change. I had ben using rimmula X.

5W is too light for Australian conditions,10W is what you need. :wink: