I have a 1998 jaguar xj8 and the previous owner put 5w30 but i think that's too thin considering it has 102k miles and its a v8. What do you guys think? I used mobil super 5000 10w30 by the way and temps range from 40 to 70f where im from but summer is right around the corner.

 

Motor oil questions could be met with a wide variety of responses....haha

It seems to be a topic in which there are a lot of subjective and emotional reactions. There is tons of motor oil info in the various threads on here if you want to search. Some are extremely technical and pretty interesting, others turn into mild slap-fests. Well, not really. The Jaguar folks are pretty polite people as a whole.

I will tell you what "I' use, and leave it at that. Mobile 1 full-synthetic 0w40 European formula. I am considering changing to a 15w40, but can't really give you a good reason why, lol.

My general opinion is that changing the oil regularly is probably more important than the specific oil you choose.

 

What viscosity and spec does the owner's manual say? If it doesn't agree with your assumptions or gut feelings are you qualified to second guess Jag?

 

And we're off....

I read about 900 posts regarding oil when I got my first XJR. There was a specific rating called for in the XJR that the oil I currently use meets (and many didn't), don't remember what it was now. Once I came to a conclusion after all of that reading I'm now hesitant to re-visit the issue.

 

I will generally go by the book unless i have something close on hand. I used 10w30 full synthetic in mine and it works fine.

 

And that might be exactly what the owner's manual requires (except for the synthetic part).

 

Are you using/burning oil, have rattling noise(s) in the motor, done a plastigauge check or any other such signals of worn parts that may require a thicker oil? A thicker oil only babies it a little longer before immanent failure for those conditions. If not, stay with what is specced, like Mikey says, don't second guess Jag....I use Royal Purple myself.
It all comes down to how hard or well kept your motor was. A thicker oil can be an issue in a good motor if your journals/clearances are not made to function with it. If it was, they would have specced that. You could wind up starving your OHC or any other area. It can be a slow death, usually at startup when oil is thickest.

 

i have no idea if it burns oil cause i just got it not even 2 weeks ago and the manual says 10w30 even 10w40 is fine.

 

Watch Out!!

Oh No!!

He's behind you!!!

Don't worry, I'm just practising my pantomime responses for the inevitable fight that will shortly break out regarding oil viscosity, brand and synthetic or not.

 

Yes oil & fuel additive discussions tend to get feisty lol.

 

Unfortunately your owner's manual is not on line on Topix so I can't read the rest of the paragraph about oil recommendations. I'm sure it gives a range of viscosities according to local temperature ranges and a specification that the oil must meet in addition to the viscosity. It might also mention the brand name Castrol in particular, I'm not sure their marketing agreement goes back that far.

I'm also sure it says nothing about using synthetics as your car was manufactured long before such oils became mandatory.

You can choose which ever oil you like that meets the Jag requirement. Going beyond that with exotic brands or types might make you happy, but the car couldn't care less.

 

5W30 and 10W30 have same viscosity when hot.

 

+1 Same viscosity when hot: switch back to 5w30 in the late Fall. Maybe 10w40 full synthetic for summer and lighter synthetic for winter so it turns over at -20F.

As for the driver's manual diagram on oil viscosity -- useless! At least for the 01s I had. . . pick your temperature range and choose all sorts of weights . . .

I like my Range Rover: 5w20 full synthetic, unambiguous..

 

How many quarts in a 2000 xjr. Is it 7 or 8 quarts. Thanks . I run 5-30 Mobil one synthetic. Thanks.

 

The manual says i can even use 10w30 if i liked and 5w40 is for winter and for maximum fuel economy.

 

Not according to the picture you posted. No mention of 10W40 or 5W40 at all, nor any mention of any oil being for winter only.

Looks like the previous owner was correct in choosing 5W30.

 

I meant to out 10w30 so its fine.

 

Mine is recommended 5/30 for the 2000 SC model, but I believe you also have the AJ26, mine is the AJ27. Though I believe both are specced the same. I have no issues with your choice of oil, my statement was that if you have no issues with it, why change what is recommended by the manufacturer on a stock motor? You generally only change viscosity with built motors or varied weather conditions. I did state reasons folks use thicker oils and asked if you had any of those, since it wasn't stated originally.

So before you bought it, did you do a basic run through and run your finger around the inside of the exhaust tip for oily residue or smell the oil on the dipstick for a singe smell? Did you watch the exhaust when you (or a friend) revved it for blueish smoke? Whenever you buy a SC sport saloon, expect it to have been run hard. Unless owned by a little old lady, then be doubly aware, because grandpa may have been a 1/4 miler.

I'd run it with the 10/30 for awhile and see what it does, since you don't know. Running it with that oil will only gain you that knowledge and its already in there. Check it once a week for a month or two and then make that determination.

 

Ok

 

This is what the oil chart is for my 2000 XJR on European market.



For maximum fuel economy 5W30 is recommended but otherwise these engines do not seem to be picky about the oil.