LVDell

What in God's name would posess them to put that oil in??? Where are you located delerium? That is what makes the difference.

nick49

Any winter rating such as 5 or 10 with 30 weight should be reserved for use below 50 degrees F. If you are mostly above 50 F you should use a 40 weight with your choice of 0, 5, or possibly 10. Also if temps are really high a 50 may be be a choice. These recommendations are for a Syn oil. I would have the shop change it to the recommended oil if you are on good terms with them, if not do it yourself. Some times if you complain about the food and send it back, you know what the cooks do don't you?

wross996tt

I have gotten into the habit of bringing my own oil in when I get it changed!

LVDell

And therin lies the reason I do ALL my own oil changes. I know exactly what is going into the car.

delirium

Thank you all for your input! This kind of stuff drives me nuts! I live in Sunny Southern Cali. so temps will be above 65F in the daytime from now until next winter!

AND, i just called the mechanic & told him he added the wrong oil.. he asked why, and I said that the sticker they left on my windshield says 5W-30.. he says that the sticker is wrong & that they use 0W-40 on all P-cars 2002+... he said that his hands were dirty so someone else wrote the sticker for him (this shop services all euros so 5W-30 is also on tap)

Now, should I believe him??? Or just drain anyway for peace of mind? what would you do?

pl

this is why when i go to my indy.
i bring my own oil. just for peace of mind.

i would change oil. too much risk.

try ask the guy to pay for the oil. or at least, half of the money.

where's 1999porsche?
he will tell u even "40" is no good, you need to get "50", such as mobilOne 15-50.

delirium

Is there a way for me to determine what kind of oil he put in there? Like some sort of litmus (sp?) test?

Ahsai

Seems too much risk. $60+ vs. suspicious oil for another 5k miles?
Plus if you drain the oil yourself, you will realize how easy to DIY and that will save you money in the future oil changes (and peace of mind).

I think unless you are there when the guy is pouring the actual oil you bring, not sure bringing your own oil is much safer. Someone absent minded may just forgot about your oil and fill it up with whatever they use. Or worse, they would just swap out your oil.

Just me 2cents.

- Ahsai

Sids911

Haha ... excellent topic for the following news item. Posted by a co-worker.

"For those who go to those quick oil change places, you might want to check this out. I can’t believe how shady some people can be.

http://www.nbc4.tv/video/9152183/detail.html#"

Kims996Cab

Its hard for me to imagine that you trusted the guy well enough to leave your car with him, yet now do not know whether to believe him on this.

One thing I would do is find a shop I can trust. Sooner or later you will need maintenance more serious than an oil change, and you will surely want someone in whom you have trust.

LVDell

Only 3 people touch my car (1) The dealer for warranty required work (2) My local indy owned by our local past PCA chapter prez and been in business for over 30+ years only working on P-cars (3) Myself.

delirium

Ya, I will need to re-evaluate him & perhaps find a new shop for the 996. He can still work on the bmw tho!

rcg412

no more jiffy lube for me!

pl

that's right dell!
not even the wife.

delirium

Ok, so I drained the oil & put Mobil 1 10W-40 in. I only had to fill 8.5 quarts, but have heard some people need to fill with about 10 quarts?? Then again my oil filter was already soaked w/ the 5W-30...

Or was it originally 0W-40 like the mech. said??? When I poured out the old suspect oil, it was very watery, so maybe it was 0W-40? Is there any way to tell? I am starting to think that the mech. was honest.. grrr.. can you tell the diff. between the two oils by touch? This oil felt thinner than the 5W-30 that I usually use... I think....