[urbanzameendar]

Alto LXi 2011 (F8D)

I used to get all the services done at MASS till 2019, however the quality of service lately spiraled down while the service cost skyrocketed simultaneously. A major service of my Alto cost me Rs. 6000/- approx. Therefore, I preferred to shift to a trusted and reputed FNG.

After taking things into my own hands, I came to know that the MASS guys never changed the Gear Oil for the past 60000 kms while the company recommended interval is 20000 kms. This resulted in a messed up gear shift which was later rectified by my FNG but the oil which was used by him was Valvoline 80w90 which, which did not last as expected and seems like it has given up at just 16000 kms. The gear shift have become a little harder and the first gear engagement is bit more hard and grinds a little while engaging during motion.

Therefore now I am looking forward to change it to the recommended GL-4 75w90, but seems like this grade is not easily available over the counter. Suggestions would be highly appreciated for good brands selling the grade with easy availability. Haven't inquired at the shell pump for Spirax though, would do it shortly.

Thanks in advance.

[stallmaster]

Originally Posted by urbanzameendar

Alto LXi 2011 (F8D)

Therefore now I am looking forward to change it to the recommended GL-4 75w90, but seems like this grade is not easily available over the counter. Suggestions would be highly appreciated for good brands selling the grade with easy availability.

I have been using this 75W-85 transmission fluid(Kia/Hyundai OES) with sweet performance and good FE for a year now. It's fully synthetic too, so no headache to get oil changed every other service. 75W-85 is okay to use as per owners manual too. The oil is slightly costly now, I got it @990 last year. You could also go to Hyundai ASS to enquire if it's available at around 1k.

[urbanzameendar]

Originally Posted by stallmaster

75W-85 is okay to use as per owners manual too. The oil is slightly costly now, I got it @990 last year. You could also go to Hyundai ASS to enquire if it's available at around 1k.

Thank you for the recommendation. Yes, I suppose 85 should be fine instead of 90 as long as it's GL-4.

However I am not sure whether Hyundai sells spare parts over the counter, need to check.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by urbanzameendar

Thank you for the recommendation. Yes, I suppose 85 should be fine instead of 90 as long as it's GL-4.

However I am not sure whether Hyundai sells spare parts over the counter, need to check.

The oil used by Hyundai is mineral based from Servo(Indian Oil). It is not so good from my experience. I am using the Petronas Tutela 75W85 GL4+ over the past 80K kms and I am happy with the performance.

https://www.99rpm.com/fiat/tutela-te...75w-85-1l.html

If you are particular about 75W90, liqui moly is available

https://www.amazon.in/Liqui-Moly-200...=1&ext_vrnc=hi

Motul is also available
https://www.amazon.in/Motul-Motylgea...omotive&sr=1-1

[stallmaster]

In my opinion, GL-4+ oils shouldn't be used in Alto gearbox.

Pure GL-4 oils have 0% sulfur/phosphorous content.(This makes sense given the number of posts telling us to avoid GL-5 oils in GL-4 cars.)

Problem is GL-4+ oils do have a mild amount of sulfur/phosphorous content in them & should be avoided in cars which use 0% sulfur/phosphorous GL-4 oils. Brass synchros do not like any sulfur/phosphorus.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by ash22

Thank you so much Saket77. Would take up your suggestion. I will stick with Synthetic 0W20 (Rs 2,900/3.5 Ltr) it for next 1000 odd kms with low rev and i will better change it back to the recommended one.

For a 2007 Alto the problem will not be the lower 0W but the upper 20. The recommended oil is 20W40 (mine is 2009 Alto). But a 10W40/5W40/0W40 will not be an issue for Chennai weather, as the oil will heat up in a short while and attain the 40 weight number and remain there throughout operation. But a 20 weight when fully hot instead of 40 is not advisable for that engine. Even 5W30 is not good, but somewhat acceptable. But surely avoid anything below that in future.

I was using Shell Hx7 10W40 for a long time, ever since Maruti discontinued 40 weight oil in the workshops, and am using Helix Ultra 5W40 or Mobil-1 0W40 currently. Both are very good.

[Artyom]

I have owned the Lxi version for 4 years in Bangalore before selling it off.I have travelled all the way from Pondi to GoKarna to Ooty and Conoor and I never faced any problem.A piece of advice is to move from mineral oil to Synthetic oil (Shell ) .It made a world of difference in the smoothness.I upgraded to a different vehicle and sold it at a odo meter of 38k.No part replacements were done during that time.The service costs were acceptable even after shifting to a Synthetic oil.

[urbanzameendar]

Thanks to everyone for their valuable suggestions. I was more inclined towards getting the oil over the counter locally. But the grade GL-4 75w90 was not available here either at Shell Stations or other retailers.

However, found the grade in Schaeffler brand at a reputed retailer so went for it (pics attached). MRP is ₹1045, got it at ₹850 for 2.5L can.

Will get it changed at FNG tomorrow, will keep the performance posted for everyone.

[urbanzameendar]

One more related question if I may ask. Currently I use either Shell HX3 20w50 or Mobil Special 20w50 engine oils in my Alto LXi post shifting to FNG.

I, however, am really keen into using fully synthetic engine oil but reluctant due to the age of my car (10th year running). However the car has been prudently serviced and maintained well with genuine spares and consumables only. My engine oil remains of the same golden bronze color like new while draining even after using 10k kms

I have read that using fully synthetic engine oils in older cars deliberately clean the carbon deposit around oil seals thus making the seals prone to leakage, is it true? Would it be wise to use full synth at this stage?

Thanks in advance.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by stallmaster

In my opinion, GL-4+ oils shouldn't be used in Alto gearbox.

Pure GL-4 oils have 0% sulfur/phosphorous content.(This makes sense given the number of posts telling us to avoid GL-5 oils in GL-4 cars.)

Problem is GL-4+ oils do have a mild amount of sulfur/phosphorous content in them & should be avoided in cars which use 0% sulfur/phosphorous GL-4 oils. Brass synchros do not like any sulfur/phosphorus.

GL4+ is designed to be used in GL4 gearbox. It is backward compatible.

[stallmaster]

Originally Posted by urbanzameendar

One more related question if I may ask. Currently I use either Shell HX3 20w50 or Mobil Special 20w50 engine oils in my Alto LXi post shifting to FNG.

Keep using 20W50 and change oil+filter at 5k-7k interval. The engine will thank you.

[urbanzameendar]

Originally Posted by stallmaster

Keep using 20W50 and change oil+filter at 5k-7k interval. The engine will thank you.

Noted, thanks for the input. I generally do not wait till 10k kms for service, I usually get it done at around every 8-8.5k. Could be an OCD

[RT13]

Originally Posted by Gansan

For a 2007 Alto the problem will not be the lower 0W but the upper 20. The recommended oil is 20W40 (mine is 2009 Alto). But a 10W40/5W40/0W40 will not be an issue for Chennai weather, as the oil will heat up in a short while and attain the 40 weight number and remain there throughout operation. But a 20 weight when fully hot instead of 40 is not advisable for that engine. Even 5W30 is not good, but somewhat acceptable. But surely avoid anything below that in future.

I was using Shell Hx7 10W40 for a long time, ever since Maruti discontinued 40 weight oil in the workshops, and am using Helix Ultra 5W40 or Mobil-1 0W40 currently. Both are very good.

Hello. Sorry for bumping an old post but I have a question. We have 2004 Alto with 1.3L on the odo. Never paid attention to the oil until recently. So the service centres have probably been using whatever is at hand for years. Does switching to synthetic now have any challenges? Should I do the engine flush or will this cause problems on an engine that has run so much? Some people say the tolerances being less in old cars, it could lead to leaks. What oil do you recommend considering the original 20w40 is nearly impossible to get?

Thanks in advance.

[Gansan]

Originally Posted by RT13

Hello. Sorry for bumping an old post but I have a question. We have 2004 Alto with 1.3L on the odo. Never paid attention to the oil until recently. So the service centres have probably been using whatever is at hand for years. Does switching to synthetic now have any challenges? Should I do the engine flush or will this cause problems on an engine that has run so much? Some people say the tolerances being less in old cars, it could lead to leaks. What oil do you recommend considering the original 20w40 is nearly impossible to get?

Thanks in advance.

20W40/15W40 mineral oil is still available in Shell, if we really want to get it.

I feel you can safely go with Helix HX7 10W40 (semi synth)or even Helix Ultra 5W40 (Full Synth). Just change the oil, don't use any flush.

[RiGOD]

Originally Posted by Gansan

20W40/15W40 mineral oil is still available in Shell, if we really want to get it.

I feel you can safely go with Helix HX7 10W40 (semi synth)or even Helix Ultra 5W40 (Full Synth). Just change the oil, don't use any flush.

Sir, I recently purchased a used Alto LXi [2011] that has run ~ 76k kms. The service history shows that the engine oil used by MASS for the last few years as 5W30. Currently I'm completely satisfied with the performance, smoothness and fuel efficiency of vehicle.

Should I revert to 20W40 during the upcoming service? If yes, should I expect a drop in the current performance or fuel efficiency due to increased viscosity?

PS : The vehicle is driven in Trivandrum where the temperature ranges from 24°C to 34°C.