[cyclops]

Originally Posted by Raccoon

Maruti is now recommending 5W30 for SX4 etc... but I don't think its recommended for Alto. Just double check with the chart in your manual. I'd suggest you not use it unless its explicitly recommended... not in Pune kinda climate at any rate!

Okay. So I've decided against Havoline Energy and going for normal Havoline Motor Oil as the 5W-30 grade as per the manual is only for max temp till 10 degree Celsius.

As anyone used this product? How's the performance?

Also, needed recommendation for gearbox oil change. Which brand grade will be the best?

Edit: No thread in tBHP is dedicated for transmission oil discussion..! I guess it deserves one..!

[cyclops]

Originally Posted by cyclops

Okay. So I've decided against Havoline Energy and going for normal Havoline Motor Oil as the 5W-30 grade as per the manual is only for max temp till 10 degree Celsius.

As anyone used this product? How's the performance?

Also, needed recommendation for gearbox oil change. Which brand grade will be the best?

Edit: No thread in tBHP is dedicated for transmission oil discussion..! I guess it deserves one..!

I have finally gone ahead and procured Havoline Motor Oil 20w50, 3 liters and Havoline Transmission Oil 90w, 2 liters for my Alto Lxi.

Will be getting the 20k service done tomorrow.

Common guys, share your experiences/advise.. Anyone?

[Raccoon]

20W50 is not the best grade for the Alto, IMO... unless you have a really good reason to use it.

[cyclops]

Originally Posted by Raccoon

20W50 is not the best grade for the Alto, IMO... unless you have a really good reason to use it.

Actually, the manual recommends 20w-40. Thats the reason I had ruled out 5w-30 (Havoline Energy). Is there a lot of difference between 20w-40 and 20w-50. I thought its only that 50 denotes the highest operating temperature..

Any comments on 90w transmission oil?

[Raccoon]

Yes, there certainly is a difference!

Straight SAE 90 for the transmission?? No sir, I'm not 100% about the Alto, but AFAIK most Marutis need something like 75W90.

[vdiatech]

I upgraded from mineral to Magnatec for my corsa and I am very happy with it. Like Nitrous says, its good VFM. fully synthetic (mobil, ows etc ) are too expensive for me and for people on budget, Magnatec is a good upgrade from mineral.

If you have money, go for Mobil, else Magnatec is good in my opinion.
The cars tend to run a bit coarse after 5-6K kms (magnatec or not !)and unwillingly prompting us for an oil change. So I prefer Magnatec.

Ps. with good consumer protection in place in a few western countries, can castrol actually get away with misleading advertisements as claimed on this forum and elsewhere ? It would be such an embarassment and huge loss, if some one ( read rival company ) had to prove their claims to be false !

[Raccoon]

I guess Castrol's crafty marketing is still not being fully understood, thats why these questions keep coming up. What Castrol is doing is most likely not legally wrong. So they can and are getting away with it. It is as simple and as complicated as that!!

I'v never said Magnatec is a bad oil in itself. Its the marketing that peevs me off... and even makes you suspect the integrity of the company. Magnatec is probably one of Castrol's better products, but otherwise they are all about average products at premium prices.

Also you are comparing an expensive semi-synth with mineral oils. It would only be fair to compare it with another semi synth with the same rating. If you compare Magnatec with say a Servo of SF grade or something, which would also be cheaper, then obviously you would say that Magnatec is better.

[mdesai_1981]

Originally Posted by cyclops

Actually, the manual recommends 20w-40. Thats the reason I had ruled out 5w-30 (Havoline Energy). Is there a lot of difference between 20w-40 and 20w-50. I thought its only that 50 denotes the highest operating temperature..

Any comments on 90w transmission oil?

i think instead of havoline you should go for castrol magnetec 10w-40 or straight for MGA servo as in my opinion you should not be changing the grades all the time.
castrol is readily available and is the best, i used it in my 2004 maruti 800(mpfi) and it certainly made a difference than the regular servo.
and 50 does not denote temperature it denotes the viscosity.
it is necessary that you maintain this visocity of oil so as to obtain the best operating standard according to the manufacturer.
remember they(manufacturer) have done some research in their engines to specify the oil grade as for transmission oil stick to MGA i dont think u have to change your transmission oil as you only need to top it up. go as per your manual

[Raccoon]

Hehehe... exactly what I'v been saying - comparing Magnatec with something like a lower grade Servo is bound to make Magnatec look good! Try other brands with the same rating, say from Valvoline, Total Quartz, many others...

Transmission oils *definitely* has to be changed as per schedule... and not topped up (unless you have a leak)! You can get the right grades from the above mentioned brands (preferable) or also from BPCL, Servo, etc.

[ask77]

What about API ratings for engine oil ? Usually the vehicle manufacturer specifies the minimum grade of oil to be used with a particular engine together with the drain period . IMO if one adheres to that grade or better of oil together with the drain period indicated for operating under severe conditions by the engine manufacturer there should be no problem . I think the API ratings are given after extensive research and should be a good enough indicator of quality irrespective of the brand.
As far as the claim of long drain period of synthetic oil is concerned IMO the drain period of mineral and synthetic oil should be the same as the one of the prime function of oil is the sludge carrying capacity of the oil which is generally only slightly better in synthetic oils.

[archat68]

Filled up Castrol Magnatec in my carb Zen yesterday. Earlier using Servo. The engine is far smoother now.
Happy with the initial experience.

[vdiatech]

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

After reading some reviews, I went for Magnatec. 2.7 litres for Alto. Approx Rs 950.

I picked up a 4 litre magnatec can for Rs1100 (RRP on can was Rs 1198, June 2009). I pressed hard for the dismissal discount.

[Jaggu]

Magnatec is indeed one of the best value for money option in semi synth for petrols available in India, stick to 5k oil change and Magnatec will give you good protection and performance very close to that of synthetics, under normal indian driving conditions.

Always buy a sealed pack from a reputed shop/dealer since castrol is one of the hot favorites in the spurious oil market.

[vdiatech]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Magnatec is indeed one of the best value for money option in semi synth for petrols available in India, stick to 5k oil change and Magnatec will give you good protection and performance very close to that of synthetics, under normal indian driving conditions.

Always buy a sealed pack from a reputed shop/dealer since castrol is one of the hot favorites in the spurious oil market.

Yes, thats my concern. I buy from a large castrol retailer and its always sealed. I always hope it is maganetc that I am pouring into my car every 5K

[Spotty91]

Contacted Chevron/Caltex India by mail. Got a call back from Mr.Vikas from Chevron saying that they don't have any retail dealers in Mumbai\Thane. But they can organise a can of oil for me since one of their executives is coming to Thane. Now that's service plus I will be assured that I will be getting genuine stuff.
They have a fully synthetic oil for Rs 1100/ approx for a 4 liter can. The name is Havoline Energy which also supposedly improves Fuel Efficiency by 6%.
But the grade they have is 5W30 compared to the 15W40 recommended by Fiat for use in my Palio 1.6 GTX. The lower temperature starts will be better but what about the viscosity at higher temperatures.
Any views please. Has anybody used this oil