What Grinds Your Gears?

[Mistermena]

Hi all,

I'm soon to be a proud new owner of a 2007 D-4D 180 (D-CAT) estate! Its my 1st Toyota Avensis I've ever owned, having VW's(Polo 1.4 TDi) Audi's (A6 3.2) and Volvo's(S60 D5-Sport)in the past. I've always serviced my cars with either Castrol Edge 5W-30 (507 00) or Mobil 1 5W-40 engine oil. All with main dealer filters! Apart from using K&N Air filters as they seem to do an amazing job.

Can anyone tell me what grade of oil I should use for my new oil burner please? I've been on the Opie site and it suggested Amsoil Synthetic Engine Oil Series 3000 (HDD) 5w-30 Diesel Engine Oil or Mobil ESP 5W-30! But for some reason it didn't come up with Castrol Edge, which is a 507 00 spec like the Mobil ESP. I've noticed that the TBN numbers on both the Castrol and Mobil oils seem to be low at around the 7.6 mark, and the Amsoil is 12.1.

The car has covered 105000 miles now! But had a new "short" engine, CAT and EGR replaced at the main Toyota dealer under warranty. Is there anything else I should change, like gearbox oil etc? and if so whats the view on grade's and makes? And whats the view on Diesel fuel additives? Anyone use Forte or Millers on here?

Looks like a great forum btw :-)

[T Sport 1978]

Hi Mistermena,

I have the T180 in Auris guise and we have the same engine.

The manual saids on mine to use A1/B1 grade 5w30, personally i use Magnatec 5w30 A1 grade and my car is happy and doesn't drink a drop of it until toward the end of the service period.

There are some people here who advocate the use of A3/B3 grade because it has a DPF, but the book doesn't specify it. If you like i am sure it will be fine to use Edge 5w30 if you want to fork out?

[Mistermena]

Hi Mistermena,

I have the T180 in Auris guise and we have the same engine.

The manual saids on mine to use A1/B1 grade 5w30, personally i use Magnatec 5w30 A1 grade and my car is happy and doesn't drink a drop of it until toward the end of the service period.

There are some people here who advocate the use of A3/B3 grade because it has a DPF, but the book doesn't specify it. If you like i am sure it will be fine to use Edge 5w30 if you want to fork out?

Hi T Sport,

Many thanks for getting intouch with me for the info. I've been having a good look at the owners manuel and it seems to suggest that if I have a D-CAT I have to go for a ACEA C2 spec oil, or it could cause damage to the CAT. I've managed to get hold of Mobil 1 ESP(5w-30) from Halfords for £32.99 for a 5ltr tub. Seems like a good price for Mobil. Have you change the fuel filter on your car? I could do with changing mine, but it looks like the Air filter box needs taking out! What a pain. My VW Polo is so easy to do compared to this...