Apols for yet another one of these. I saw a 25% off deal on Sainsbury's 5/30 semi-synth oil.
Is it any good? Has anyone used it? Is it 'good' oil from a reputable manufacturer, but just without the markup?
Thanks
Peanut
PS Not going to try to taste the difference.....
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 05/05/2009 at 19:59
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If it meets the 'spec' quoted in your handbook then it should be OK. I have just looked at a can I have of Castrol and it says "Meets or exceeds the Following Specifications - SAE 15W/40, API CE/CF4, CCMC D4, CCMC PD2. So, you are looking something like that. There is a silly mark up on oil; I used to buy a litre of Mobil 1 for $2 in Germany, I think it was over £5 here in UK then.
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Will dig out the long number(s) from handbook and check the specs. It's not a number I usually carry around in my head. The label said 'meets Ford zetec specs', so maybe...
Part of me want to use a good oil: having bought the thing from new with the idea of it lasting, saving a few quid and causing grief to the engine would be a bad move. But I hate paying an unnecessary mark-up: if the stuff in the bottle is made by, say, Castrol, why not save a tenner?
Peanut
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See what the EAN barcode number is. If it starts with 54 is is most likely BP/Castrol as this is Belgium and they are the only people who make it there.
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A 5/30 semi synth is likely (but check the spec on the bottle as advised) to be OK, and makes no difference what is printed on the bottle. Also try your Ford dealer and ask for a discount.
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Providing the specification meets the standard required, there should be no problem. You could also try your local motor factors, most of whom are happy to sell to the public.
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Please excuse my ignorance, a motor factor..? What is that?
Peanut
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A motor factor is where the trade get their parts (as well as from a main dealer).
Motor factors often sell parts to OE spec at a fraction of main dealer prices, but not always.
I use my local motor factors as much as possible, as they're able to obtain parts quickly and the staff are knowledgeable.
Try your yellow pages.
Halfords are shops staffed by shop asistants IMO.
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I agree with the halfords comment, From the experience I have had they have been pretty useless!
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HALFORDS!
Haven't Any Lasting Formula Of Retaining Driver's Spending!
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Wow the swear filter doesn't like the derogatory version of Halfords.
They must have some badasses in the legal team ;-)
Edited by Lygonos on 06/05/2009 at 15:39
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I thik this is a bit harsh on Halfords, which caters for basic parts on modern cars which hardly ever go wrong. Batteries, oil, filters, etc. seem fine.
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I see no mention, or for that matter any question regarding the make model and engine size and code diesel or petrol. Regards Peter
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I see no mention or for that matter any question regarding the make model and engine size and code diesel or petrol. Regards Peter
Probably because all recent Fords use Ford spec M2C913B oil. Other specs include API SL and ACEA A1/B1.
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Aggh Peanut's second post mentions a Ford Zetec. Regards Peter
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I like Halfords as well, they have a good stock of parts, oils, batteries, Ferodo brake parts etc, you are not compelled to go there.
I have got some Halfords screwdrivers and they are the best I have ever had.
Thank the Lord we cannot use the other word for Halfords, when I see it on other sites it makes me wonder what sort of cretin is posting.
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Thank the Lord we cannot use the other word for Halfords
This might help in explaining why.
www.honestjohn.co.uk:80/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t...8
DD.
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I thik this is a bit harsh on Halfords which caters for basic parts on modern cars which hardly ever go wrong. Batteries oil filters etc. seem fine.
I tend to agree. Over the years, I have lost count of the number of times Halfords has dug me out of a hole on a Sunday afternoon faced with a broken car that I need for work on the Monday morning.
The only time I've ever had a problem with their parts were when I bought a set of own brand front brake pads for a friend's Rover 400 (R8 shape). While a perfect naked eye match for the old pads which came out, they were such a sloppy fit in the caliper that they audibly "clicked" on first application in either direction. Had no issues obtaining a refund though.
Their "Professional" tool range is also superb for the money. I have one of their ratchets that is now 10 yrs old and still works as well as the day I got it. While I'm not a pro user, it's worked for a living, having done timing belts, general servicing and repairs on all my cars since. They still sell a repair kit for it as well if the worst happens.
Edited by DP on 06/05/2009 at 18:10
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I tend to agree. >>
Ditto.
Halfords is a successful business, making profits of around £2million a week.
When others are floundering and share prices have halved or more in the last year for many quoted companies, Halfords has risen in value:
www.advfn.com/quote_Halfords_LSE_HFD.html
[ see right at the bottom for performance indicators].
The original under-performing Halfords was sold off by the parent company [Boots plc] to CVC Partners, who turned it around and re-listed it on the stock market [earned four times its original £137m investment by doing so!].
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I thik this is a bit harsh on Halfords which caters for basic parts on modern cars which hardly ever go wrong. Batteries oil filters etc. seem fine.
It took my local branch around 20 minutes and four attempts to find the right filter for SWMBO's 1.8 Zafira, hardly a niche product. I'd rather support my local indie.
edit : fair play on the tools though, my Halford socket set is 25 years old and still going strong.
Edited by SpamCan61 {P} on 07/05/2009 at 15:23
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>>Halfords are shops staffed by shop asistants IMO.>>
I don't go into Halfords very often - normally on a Sunday when it's the only outlet open and needs must - but the staff at my local branch really do know their stuff whenever I have been in.
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Supermarket oil!
Well, if you look on various fora it's either a fantastic bargain or guaranteed to produce engine failure after a couple of hundred miles.
Engine oil is not that expensive, after all garages buy it in bulk fairly cheaply. However, when sold in relatively small containers, sometimes through a number of sub-suppliers, it gets expensive.
I've found that the Havoline oils supplied at Morrison's petrol stations are remarkably good value for money and think that oils supplied at Sainsbury's would be comparable.
After all, the supermarkets are experts at buying from their suppliers at the lowest price they can.
I'm sure that Halfords' oils are good quality but they have become rather expensive.
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Halvoline is made by Texaco who also supply Ford oil.
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Must admit that I'd rather support my local indie but Halfords are pretty good at mixing up touch up paint. Just go along with your paint code and they'll make some up while you wait.
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Why does this thread make me want to go and buy some peanut oil from Sainsbury's?
I can't understand it.
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I have found one of the best bargains lately is GM motor oil, local motor factors are selling it at £12 for a bottle of 5 litre 10/40 semi synth. The same Halfords bottle is getting on to £30 now.
I've still got some 20/50 Havoline stuff I used on 'rattle' as it would get through 1 litre a week. Nasty smelly crude stuff, I am so glad minerial oil is no longer used in modern cars.
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Costco usually stock Chevron Extreme 5W-40 Fully Synthetic (4 litre container) for £12. I have been using it for the last two years without any concerns. They also sell Chevron 5W-30 semi-synthetic (20 litre container) for £25. Great value for money.
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That's OK, but how do the general public get access to Costco?
Edited by bathtub tom on 08/05/2009 at 18:43
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Edit.
Finger trouble ;>)
Edited by bathtub tom on 08/05/2009 at 18:43
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Thanks for the pointer, doctorchris. Went to Morrisons, and there was 5 litre Halvoline 5W/30 synth oil for £15, meets all the specs. Like you say, amazing value.
I called by Ford dealer, wanted £28 for 5l, of what I presume is the same.
The Halvoline is fully synth - that's not going to be a problem is it, going for a better oil, i.e. synthetic as opposed to semi synth? The car is a year old, so it's not as if the engine will be gunked up yet.
Peanut
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Peanut, are you sure it is full synthetic oil, or is it synthetically formulated?
I do not think the oil will be synthetic for £15 for 5 litres. The Ford oil which you mention at £28 is semi synthetic.
We have had all this stuff before and it was proved that the Havoline 5W-30 was semi synthetic. You must read the labels properly.
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The label says 'synthetic'. With the Ford spec.
Please explain why you think it isn't so.
Yes, I was surprised at 5L/£15, too.
Peanut.
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Could you please tell me exactly what it says on the label.
The reason why I'm suspicious is that it is too cheap to be full synthetic and it sounds wrong to me.
Full synthetic oil is usually over £25 for 5 litres.
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I've looked on the Texaco website, if your oil is 5W-30 it is Ford spec A1/B1 and is not synthetic.
If your oil is 5W-40 it is synthetic.
Can you tell us which oil is £15 for 5 litres?
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I believe that there is no such thing as a fully synthetic oil and that semi-synth is just fine for ordinary engines.
I have confidence in Havoline oils, I have no vested interest in them. Over my 35 years of motoring I must have put some awful lubricants in my various cars without an engine failure and modern lubricants are miles better than those used in the 70's.
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OK I have the can in front of me.
It has the Texaco logo on it.
On the front: 'Havoline. Energy. 5W-30. Synthetic. Certified for ACEA. API Service SL.'
And that's it.
On the back: 'Havoline. Energy. SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil.
ACEA: A1/B1
API: SL/Energy Conserving
Ford: WSS-M2C913-B Jaguar: WSS-M2C913-B
then a load of guff, the only relevant section being '....specially formulated using advanced synthetic technology...'
So, have I a can of synthetic oil before me?
peanut.
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So, have I a can of synthetic oil before me? >>
For all intents and purposes, yes, you do.
Unless, that is, you are anal about oil. ;-)
Edited by jbif on 09/05/2009 at 18:13
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What does 'synthetically formulated' mean?
Does a can have to be labeled as 'fully synthetic' to be 100% synthetic inside? If so, isn't a can labeled 'synthetic' misleading? Does that mean they could add, say 1% synthetic to mineral oil? Seems a bit odd....
peanut
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No it is not full synthetic according to the Texaco site. It is "using advanced synthetic technology" which is not the same as full synthetic.
They are using a play on words to make people think it is synthetic.
I must go and have a look at Morrisons when I buy my Sunday Telegraph to see how much my MP has fiddled out of us.
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I've searched the forums, and this topic has been done to death several times.
Looks like it has to be 'fully synthetic' to be synthetic. Wouldn't hurt them to say semi-synth on the can.
Probably within the rules they set, but against the spirit. I wonder, any MP's on the board of Texaco?
peanut.
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...I wonder, any MP's on the board of Texaco?...
If there are, you can rest assured they won't have paid for their can of oil.
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