Dealer installed wrong engine oil
Discussion
I have searched all the forums on engine oil as well as the owners manual and all recommendations point to the Castrol Edge 10W60.
It's almost service time again and I was reviewing old service invoices. My dealer has been installing the Mobile 1 0-40!
I did some more digging and it appears that Mobile 0-40 is what goes in the DB9/DBS V12.
I called the dealer and they told me that "they have always used the 0-40 Mobile Oil for all Astons". I was also told AM recommends it!!
Will this damage my engine, how can the dealer get away with putting in oil that is clearly not recommended by AM? I feel slightly peeved having paid so much money on service only to have the wrong oil go in.
It's almost service time again and I was reviewing old service invoices. My dealer has been installing the Mobile 1 0-40!
I did some more digging and it appears that Mobile 0-40 is what goes in the DB9/DBS V12.
I called the dealer and they told me that "they have always used the 0-40 Mobile Oil for all Astons". I was also told AM recommends it!!
Will this damage my engine, how can the dealer get away with putting in oil that is clearly not recommended by AM? I feel slightly peeved having paid so much money on service only to have the wrong oil go in.
Vergis said:
It wont damage your engine at all.
The oil spec of the Castrol is for worldwide use of the car from north Sweden to sweltering heat of arabia. As is the ECU mapping.
The spec of 0-40 is perfectly fine for a UK climate.
I would not hesitate in replacing with Mobil 1.
My understanding is that the viscosity at engine temps is higher for a 10-60 than a 10-40. This impacts film strength. If the engine tolerances/loading need a 60W at working temp then so be it...The oil spec of the Castrol is for worldwide use of the car from north Sweden to sweltering heat of arabia. As is the ECU mapping.
The spec of 0-40 is perfectly fine for a UK climate.
I would not hesitate in replacing with Mobil 1.
Cheers
yeah, its not like we have real extreme temps in the UK ...not many are taking their Astons out at minus 10 degrees, so matters not really 
its usually more to do with whichever oil company has paid AM the cash to promote their oil...you often see it change over the lifetime of a vehicle
its usually more to do with whichever oil company has paid AM the cash to promote their oil...you often see it change over the lifetime of a vehicle
It probably won't have done any harm. But, if it didn't make any difference, why would Aston recommend 0-40 for the V12 yet 10-60 for the V8? They are different engines. A 10-60 is not an ordinary or commonly used oil. How hard have you driven your car? Certainly a 10-60 oil can handle stresses that a 0-40 cannot. I would want -- insist on -- the 10-60 in a V8V.
The car is a V8 Vantage and it resides in Texas where the temperatures are significantly hotter than in the UK. The car has been to the track as well.
In a call to the North American HQ, they told me it should only have 10W-60, but the return call from the regional rep said 0W-40 is also recommended......when I emailed asking for something official from AM stating this, I have yet to get an email back.
It upsets me to spend AM dealer prices, to have non AM spec oil for the V8V put in my car.
My only fear is that it may have done some sort of damage as I intend to hold on to this car for a long time.
In a call to the North American HQ, they told me it should only have 10W-60, but the return call from the regional rep said 0W-40 is also recommended......when I emailed asking for something official from AM stating this, I have yet to get an email back.
It upsets me to spend AM dealer prices, to have non AM spec oil for the V8V put in my car.
My only fear is that it may have done some sort of damage as I intend to hold on to this car for a long time.
Might be time to check out the new cars on the offending dealers lot on your next service and trade it in on the car that you really want.
That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
Edited by V8TVR1978 on Friday 9th December 05:41
V8TVR1978 said:
Might be time to check out the new cars on the offending dealers lot on your next service and trade it in on the car that you really want.
That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
O God i'm going to miss this forum...........are you mad or just simple ?That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
Edited by V8TVR1978 on Friday 9th December 05:41
michael gould said:
V8TVR1978 said:
Might be time to check out the new cars on the offending dealers lot on your next service and trade it in on the car that you really want.
That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
O God i'm going to miss this forum...........are you mad or just simple ?That puts the ball back in their court and you know that you got them back. Like they say, an eye for an eye.
It is a shame that you would not do some homework on specs for an above average purchase before heading off to pay (again) above average service prices at a dealer when some owners of this quality of car would give their left nut to do the oil change themselves.
OR
If the oil that they substituted is an UPPER QUALITY oil from a MAJOR supplier that they use in other AM products, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. If you have treated the car with the respect that the AM brand deserves (proper warm up,not ragged it etc.and serviced the car remotely close to the factory recommandations, you should have nothing to worry about other than.
DO I DESERVE TO OWN AND OPERATE SUCH A FINE CAR AS AN AM???? Only you can answer that question.
Edited by V8TVR1978 on Friday 9th December 05:41
Colin: This is not the first time that I have been accused of not having my oars in the water and it probably won't be the last. When Sherry and I were looking at the AMs, I did a little research on our local AM/Bentley dealer and he knows that he has the market in this area tied up and he charges accordingly and that just may be happening in the area that the OP lives. (example is over 100 pounds ($195.99 Canadian) for an oil change,and the factory reccommended service costs are out of this world.)My thoughts on what the OP was getting at were not a big deal as a high end oil was being used and he stated that it was an AM dealer that did his servicing and there are records kept on what was done and I would think legally, the servicing dealer would be responsible to both the OP and to the factory IF they had done wrong.
Terminator said:
I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of years back.
He's mad.
He's mad.
Vergis said:
It wont damage your engine at all.
Sorry fella, I'm not too sure about that advice.....moreflaps said:
My understanding is that the viscosity at engine temps is higher for a 10-60 than a 10-40. This impacts film strength.
I'm more sure about this advice however....The ‘wedge’ of oil formed between a journal and bearing generates considerable hydraulic pressure which is termed ‘hydrodynamic‘ lubrication, more commonly referred to as fluid-film lubrication. The point of minimum clearance between journal and bearing is a function of oil viscosity and linear speed. Shearing of the oil film generates excessive heat leading to breakdown of the hydrodynamic film – metal to metal contact and bearing failure. If not bearing failure immediately the gradual delamination of the bearing surface material from the bearing leading to an eventual failure (in the long term).
The ‘W’ number represents cold crank performance, the second number denotes hot viscosity grade. Kinematic Viscosity is the ratio of dynamic viscosity and fluid density, the unit commonly used as a measure is the centistoke (cSt)
Here is a comparison of 0W40 Vs 10W60;
Grade----------@0degC----------@100degC
0w-40----------665-------------14cst
10w-60---------1253------------24cst
The 60 grade is approx 70% thicker at higher temperature.
So, if V12 Mobil 0W40 is used in the V8 engine, although being one of the best oils money can buy, would likely compromise bearing surface if operated for prolonged periods at high speed / high temperature conditions. In my opinion, no other components other than the big end, main and possibly cam bearings are at risk. If 0W40 oil has been used and engine operating conditions have not been arduous, then most likely there is no issue. If a few laps of the track have been done – different story…! Its worth remembering that quite likely, the factory chose the two different grades, despite the considerable complexity of production and aftersales service problems that would be generated (as in the error here) for good reason.
Edited by BamfordMike on Sunday 11th December 02:03
Hi Mike-
I appreciate the comments, although they now have me concerned.
After ringing my dealer to ask why they do not follow the manual, they told me they "have been putting in 0W40 in all Astons for at least two years". I did not like this response and ringed the North American HQ. They had the Regional Aftersales Manager call me who swore that 0W40 was "recommended by AM for the V8".
I asked for proof from AM. He just emailed me a confidential document from Cologne Germany plant titled "Engine assembly procedures and instructions clearance limits and specifications". I am assuming you may be familiar with this document from 2007 on Ford letterhead given your prior role. It shows that engine assembly and engine hot test is performed with Mobil 1 0W/40 full synthetic oil , the fill at production is Castrol 10W/60.
He then says "The 0W/40 Mobil 1 that was installed in your car by the dealer is approved by Aston Martin and will have no detrimental effect on the operation or longevity of the Engine.
In response to your concern I have advised Aston Martin of ------ to switch to Castrol 10W/60 for future servicing and provided a contact within the US where it can be readily sourced."
Please let me know your thoughts.....I was feeling better that the hot and cold testing of the engine was preformed with 0w40.
Thanks
I appreciate the comments, although they now have me concerned.
After ringing my dealer to ask why they do not follow the manual, they told me they "have been putting in 0W40 in all Astons for at least two years". I did not like this response and ringed the North American HQ. They had the Regional Aftersales Manager call me who swore that 0W40 was "recommended by AM for the V8".
I asked for proof from AM. He just emailed me a confidential document from Cologne Germany plant titled "Engine assembly procedures and instructions clearance limits and specifications". I am assuming you may be familiar with this document from 2007 on Ford letterhead given your prior role. It shows that engine assembly and engine hot test is performed with Mobil 1 0W/40 full synthetic oil , the fill at production is Castrol 10W/60.
He then says "The 0W/40 Mobil 1 that was installed in your car by the dealer is approved by Aston Martin and will have no detrimental effect on the operation or longevity of the Engine.
In response to your concern I have advised Aston Martin of ------ to switch to Castrol 10W/60 for future servicing and provided a contact within the US where it can be readily sourced."
Please let me know your thoughts.....I was feeling better that the hot and cold testing of the engine was preformed with 0w40.
Thanks
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