General Oil change time for my diesel Panda

[G Pywell]

It's that time again for an oil and filter change on my diesel Panda.I've had her from new and I change the oil and filter every 3-4 months. She's covered just over 44k from new (2007) and I've been searching the interweb for oil. I've discovered some fully synthetic 5w/40 being sold on Euro Car Parts site going by the name of Triple QX which I believe is their own brand. It's being sold at less than £13 ( after using discount code) for 5litres which seems a very good deal.
Has anyone out there used this oil and what is their opinion of the stuff?

 

[Shuggie]

National Tyres do oil changes with Castrol synthetic stuff for less than you can buy the stuff yourself. Of course, they will 'notice' something that needs work, eg brakes etc, but as long as you don't fall for any of that, it's great value and you don't have to get rid of the used oil. See https://www.national.co.uk/oil-vehicle-search.aspx

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I use Castrol edge (fully synthetic) in my 1.3 multijet, which is good for very high mileages between changes, although mine gets changed annually.

What confuses me is why you would change the oil every 3-4 months its not some old 1960s V8 its a modern well built engine so oil changes any more often than the specified intervals really is money down the drain

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

What confuses me is why you would change the oil every 3-4 months its not some old 1960s V8 its a modern well built engine so oil changes any more often than the specified intervals really is money down the drain

:yeahthat:

On top of why you'd want to own a DERV when only doing 7k a year, but each to their own.

 

[Wee Smurf]

Don't think I'd be changing oil every two thousand miles. I would do a thousand miles a month, so on your oil change scheme, that would be like six a year for me. That's a bit excessive in my opinion. I stick to changing the oil annually, usually between 10 & 12 thousand miles. It's got 78K on it and still going fine.

If you're using that much oil, then you'd probably be better looking into buying the huge drums that mechanics use!

 

[Matthen]

Don't think I'd be changing oil every two thousand miles. I would do a thousand miles a month, so on your oil change scheme, that would be like six a year for me. That's a bit excessive in my opinion. I stick to changing the oil annually, usually between 10 & 12 thousand miles. It's got 78K on it and still going fine.

If you're using that much oil, then you'd probably be better looking into buying the huge drums that mechanics use!

What the 100 Gallon ones.. trade customers get them for less than £500 - very good value for money.

 

[G Pywell]

Thanks for the replies but has anyone used Triple QX and if so what are their opinions of the stuff?

 

[jrkitching]

Thanks for the replies but has anyone used Triple QX and if so what are their opinions of the stuff?

There are two different grades of Triple QX.

This one and This one.

The second one is almost twice the price of the first, but crucially has the C3 spec which is needed for the latest Fiats. As I can buy Castrol EDGE 5W40 (which is a C3 oil) for less than that, personally I wouldn't bother with it.

I'm not sure whether a 2007 Mjet needs C3 - better check the handbook.

Ultimately it's your choice what to use, but if you get it wrong & blow up the engine, essentially you've written your car off.

 

[G Pywell]

Thanks for the info
Just checked my manual and all it specifies is ACEA A3 & B4. No mention of C3 spec. Whilst I'm tempted because of the price I have to wonder why it's so much cheaper than the other brands.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Oil really isn't expensive, instead of looking at it as cheap look at the others as over priced.

Last year I got 5 litres of the correct spec oil as an asda own brand for £17 ran it for 10k miles or so with no noticeable difference between it and some of the expensive brands I'd been using for years.

Essentially, and this was the point I was making when I asked why you change the oil so often, any oil you put in will be for such a short period it really won't matter what you use. No point putting the expensive stuff in if you're going to be pouring it away 4 months later

Compared to castrol edge at £45 a can and three oil changes a year, at £13 this oil is going to save you nearly £100

 

[tommo1]

I've had 4 oil changes on my 2005 MJ in 3 years. The local fitters (Chemix) used 5w/40 as specified in the manual at first, last time they used 5W/30. When I queried it, they just said that's what is required now (?!). I believe it's a general change due to DPF failures (which the MJ doesn't have) and higher spec oil but for me, I don't think it's necessary..

On top of them charging me £14 + VAT for an oil filter that is £7 or less at Eurocarparts and elsewhere, I provide my own and go to a general mechanic now.

I've used 10W/40 semi-synth QX oil in my Vx Omega, an MGTF, and the 5W/40 full synth in my MJ, all seemed fine. I change it at 8k - 9k miles anyway, a 12k periodicity is a bit long I think, especially since the car is approaching 149k miles.

 

[cool_dood01]

Just serviced my Panda diesel today and used Triple QX Engine Oil (5w40 Fully Synthetic) Seems to be ok, engine is quieter then it was before (or maybe that's just me!).
Have used Triple QX in my old Mondeo without problems, and its on offer at £12.49 for 5 litres! Did a full oil and all filter change for just over £30! (Minus the fuel filter) well worth it IMHO.

 

[G Pywell]

Hi Cool Dood
Glad your happy with Triple QX, I've ordered 5 litres and for just over 12quid including free delivery. Bargain.