| Author |
Message |
Willis Huang (Willis360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 5:04 pm: | |
viken,
I just talked to the mechanic. The Rotella weight is 10W40.
Willis |
Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 4:04 pm: | |
Willis, do you know the weight of Rotella oil they are using? Just curious. |
Willis Huang (Willis360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 3:57 pm: | |
Viken,
I DID know about the truck oil bit before I took the car in for service. I was shocked too.
Rotella "T" is the truck oil in question. The dealer use Rotella and assured me that it's not the same as the truck oil.
I knew about the dealer's use of Rotella beforehand because I had called them to purchase some Helix Ultra after a track session. They didn't carry it and told me about Rotella. Well, being the curious type, I dug into this Rotella biz and came across the same info you'd found. I called them back and they insisted that the Rotella they use is the same formulation as Helix Ultra. Well, after 10 quarts of Rotella (at $6.99 per unit) was put into my car at servicing time, the car run and sound the same as before. There's no hiccups, smoke, leaks, or any funny business from the engine.
Willis |
Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 2:40 pm: | |
This is turning out to be an interesting thread. I just checked the US Shell web site and found that Rotella http://www.rotella.com/ is a heavy duty oil specially formulated for truck engines.
The Helix Ultra http://www.shell.com/uk-en/content/0,4011,42978-67552,00.html , on the other hand, is formulated for sports cars.
Willis, I suggest you have a discussion with your dealer about this. Maybe, I am missing something somewhere. |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 12:36 pm: | |
The dealer here in Portland used Shell Helix.Said it is "mandated" by Ferrari for 360's and 355's.However since they are not honoring the warrantee on my euro it is the last time I'll be using them or that oil! |
Willis Huang (Willis360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 11:16 am: | |
Viken,
My dealer use Shell Rotella. It cost $6.99 per quart. I asked them about not using the recommended Shell Helix Ultra and they said that there's no difference. Another reason for not using Helix Ultra oil is that it's difficult to obtain even for dealers. I haven't had any problems with the engine running Shell Rotella.
Topping up the fluids yourself is fine but just make sure you're filling to the correct levels. I check the fluids about every 600 miles to see if there's any excessive consumption. So far, I haven't seen anything unusual to warrant topping off. Temperature and pressure are still at normal readings. However, as with any car, I would top the fluids if I were to go on an extended, long-haul trip.
Also, I try to avoid stop and go traffic and stay away from urban driving. The car is used mostly for blasting around relatively clear country roads (I do this 4 to 5 times a week) and freeways at non-peak hours. I think this is why the car seem so economical about oil and fluid consumption.
Willis |
van mollenberg (Vanny)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 10:16 am: | |
viken-had an oil change last month -10 liters-also i agree with willis-check with the ferrari mechanic regarding oil levels-oil for the f1 trans. was over filled -expansion occured after driving-fluid leaked out of the weep hole on the cap-talking to the mechanic oil level should be at the lower marker-cold-the way to check this is to leave the rear hood open so you dont prime the system when you open the door-check when cold-i find the mechanics to be the best source of info-van |
Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 10:00 am: | |
>> Martin, did your mechanic use Shell Rotella? Seems kind of steep at $14.95 a pop.
Willis, the oil specified for the 360 is Shell Helix Ultra 5W40. If you can find it for $14.95, that is a bargain compared to my dealer's $19.80 price.
>> Also as a general note to other 360 owners: Do not try to fill any fluids yourself until you've talked to your mechanic first. There is a tendency to over fill the systems and that could cause all sorts of problems.
My 360's engine oil was overfilled at the factory by approximately 0.3 liter. I had the dealer check the level and they declared that to be no problem.
>>Also, my mechanic said that there's no need to add oil between service intervals. Under normal driving, you should be using up 2 to 3 quarts until your next service. There's plenty of oil in the system plus the reserve but it doesn't hurt to check it once in a while.
While I agree that there is 10+ liters in the dry sump, engine and oil cooling system, I think it is best to have the oil level topped-off between service intervals. Keeping the correct oil levels helps maintain proper oil pressures and temperatures. |
Willis Huang (Willis360)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2001 - 12:15 am: | |
Martin, did your mechanic use Shell Rotella? Seems kind of steep at $14.95 a pop.
Also as a general note to other 360 owners: Do not try to fill any fluids yourself until you've talked to your mechanic first. There is a tendency to over fill the systems and that could cause all sorts of problems.
A couple of months ago, I checked the coolant level in the expansion tank. The level seemed very low so I filled it to the prescribed level stated in the owner's manual. When I took the car in for its first service, I was informed by my mechanic that I had over filled the coolant tank (thus not allowing it to expand). Apparently, the level indicated in the owner's manual was not the same as the shop manual (blame it on poor Italian to English translation). So if you wish to do it yourself, you're best served to get all the correct fluid levels as prescribed in the shop manual before doing it.
Also, my mechanic said that there's no need to add oil between service intervals. Under normal driving, you should be using up 2 to 3 quarts until your next service. There's plenty of oil in the system plus the reserve but it doesn't hurt to check it once in a while. |
david schirmer (David)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 11:19 pm: | |
Ouch! You can get a half decent bottle of Italian wine for that. Of course it won't last as long as that fancy Shell oil... |
Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 5:56 pm: | |
Thanks, guys. That's exactly what I thought. Not only some L.A. area dealers are billing for 12 liters but they are charging almost $20 per bottle. |
martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 5:24 pm: | |
Viken= Had the oil changed a few weeks ago. Took exactly 10 liters(at 14.95/l) special Shell synthetic which I believe is just B.S.My guess is that since Shell is racing sponsor=Shell is mandatory.First and last time for Shell in my 360.
Total price for oil and filter plus labor=$240.
Martin |
Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 5:22 pm: | |
Hey Viken, it's me Ernesto.
My dealer charged me for 10 quarts for the last oil change.
Ernesto |
Viken Bedrossian (Vikenb)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 4:35 pm: | |
Has anyone changed their own engine oil in the 360? The manual says it should take just under 10 liters but the dealers are charging customers for 12 liters. Does any body know if the manual is wrong?
TIA |
|