Which Oil Would You Recommend?

brmartyn · Unread post by **brmartyn** » 13 Aug 2011, 21:36

I need to top up my oil levels on my Megane 1.9DCi. Can I assume the recommended oil type is 10w - 40 diesel oil? or are other types better?

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 13 Aug 2011, 22:41

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SaabC5 · Unread post by **SaabC5** » 14 Aug 2011, 12:15

10W-40 is good, make sure you go for a fully synthetic oil the 1.9DCi is too fragile for anything else. Renaults 15k oil change intervals are way too long, i change at 10k intervals max. I've seen way too many blown turbo's/destroyed engines to risk any longer.

brmartyn · Unread post by **brmartyn** » 14 Aug 2011, 13:44

SaabC5 wrote:10W-40 is good, make sure you go for a fully synthetic oil the 1.9DCi is too fragile for anything else. Renaults 15k oil change intervals are way too long, i change at 10k intervals max. I've seen way too many blown turbo's/destroyed engines to risk any longer.

The on board computer is indicating that the oil needs a top up so am I ok just adding some new stuff to the oil that's already in there or would a full oil change be recommended? It was last serviced only a few months back.

Synergietom · Unread post by **Synergietom** » 14 Aug 2011, 23:40

i would only recomend that you top up with same stuff put in on the last service ( dont mix oil grades ) however if your not sure what grade oil was put in then i would replace it all as the price of oil is definately lower than that of a replcement block or turbo.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Aug 2011, 23:51

Yes, replace it and the filter rather than top it up.

If it was only serviced a few months back and its warning of low oil already, I would be getting a bit worried ... However, have you checked the level yourself? On board electronic oil levels are not always accurate.

Only use the oil Renault specify, the 1.9DCi does not need a reason to give problems, so your better off looking after it correctly.

Synergietom · Unread post by **Synergietom** » 15 Aug 2011, 00:18

Chris i must agree as a service mechanic i would recomend that you change the oil and filter you can do this job yourself however if you have recently had a service done by a garage take it back to them and have them re-do it free of charge if there is a problem ( ie loosing oil ) they will be able to point this out but to be honest if you are losing oil you should be able to spot this yourself by seeing drops of oil underneeth where you park the car.

SaabC5 · Unread post by **SaabC5** » 15 Aug 2011, 10:04

Don't trust the little _ _ _ _ _ _ or [] [] [] [] _ _ symbols on the dash, use the old fashioned dipstick when cold method for an accurate reading and don't overfill whatever you do.

A common source of oil leaks is from the filter when the mechanic hasn't made sure the old O ring on the filter has been scraped off the block if it gets stuck, oil tends to seep out between the two O rings.

brmartyn · Unread post by **brmartyn** » 15 Aug 2011, 16:45

SaabC5 wrote:Don't trust the little _ _ _ _ _ _ or [] [] [] [] _ _ symbols on the dash, use the old fashioned dipstick when cold method for an accurate reading and don't overfill whatever you do.

A common source of oil leaks is from the filter when the mechanic hasn't made sure the old O ring on the filter has been scraped off the block if it gets stuck, oil tends to seep out between the two O rings.

It is not saying oil low and I'm not getting the _ _ _ _ _ indication, it just displays top up oil level. I checked the dip stick and the oil level was bang in the middle where it should be and also when i got in the car this morning it said oil level ok. Strange??????

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 15 Aug 2011, 17:51

My Meg does this when it's getting low. It'll say TOP-UP OIL LEVEL about 2 times out of 5 when I start up. I checked the dip stick and sure enough it was on the lower marker. When it gives that message, click the trip reset button and it will probably display OIL LEVEL _ _ _ _ _ _

Might as well give it a top up of whatever is recommended by this excellent website... just stick your reg in

As already mentioned, the dCi doesn't need an excuse to misbehave, so give it what it's asking for!!!

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/castrolh ... oryId=3205

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 15 Aug 2011, 20:33

OIl should ideally be at the top level on the dipstick, not in the middle and certainly not on low. Don't forget the oil also acts as a coolant for the engine and the more oil the more lubrication is flying around the engine.

SaabC5 · Unread post by **SaabC5** » 16 Aug 2011, 10:13

From memory if its saying "top up oil level" then its below the minimum _ _ _ _ _ _ level.

_ _ _ _ _ _ minimum

[] [] [] _ _ _ half full

[] [] [] [] [] [] full

But as has been previously said, don't trust the digital level too much.

Synergietom · Unread post by **Synergietom** » 16 Aug 2011, 12:18

i had a few problems with mine a while back but the level on the dipstick was on the top mark it turned out to be because i was parking the car on a slope so the oil in the sump was running to back and giving the sensor the impression that the level was low.