TF Engine oil recommendations

[MAXTHEDOG]

Hi All,
I need a small top up of oil. Does anyone have any particular brand recommendations? I’ll probably buy 5 litres or so in anticipation of a service.
Regards,
Michael

[Steve55]

This comes highly recommended by many MGF / MGTF owners including myself.

[mgb281]

As Steve55 states Castrol Magnatec 10/40 is the oil of choice for many F and TF owners especially for the VVC engines. Many others will say any 10/40 semi synthetic will do but the fact remains that the ECU is programmed to the viscosity of the Castrol oil other oils may have different viscosities. Ebay is normally the cheapest source (today £24) but last year Halfords on a special offer for around £18.

[mgtfnut]

As Steve55 states Castrol Magnatec 10/40 is the oil of choice for many F and TF owners especially for the VVC engines. Many others will say any 10/40 semi synthetic will do but the fact remains that the ECU is programmed to the viscosity of the Castrol oil other oils may have different viscosities. Ebay is normally the cheapest source (today £24) but last year Halfords on a special offer for around £18.

Interesting, where did that come from? I've always used semi synthetic from Shell, Castrol, Halfords (which I think may be Castrol) as recommended by MG-R. I thought that industry standard 10/40 semi synthetics were all made to this viscosity, probably with differing additives.
I could see that a VVC might be more sensitive. How does the ECU know Castrol is put, not any old stuff

[MAXTHEDOG]

Thanks to all for your help.
Think I’ll go with MAGNATEC.
Cheers,
Michael.

[mgb281]

As Steve55 states Castrol Magnatec 10/40 is the oil of choice for many F and TF owners especially for the VVC engines. Many others will say any 10/40 semi synthetic will do but the fact remains that the ECU is programmed to the viscosity of the Castrol oil other oils may have different viscosities. Ebay is normally the cheapest source (today £24) but last year Halfords on a special offer for around £18.

Interesting, where did that come from? I've always used semi synthetic from Shell, Castrol, Halfords (which I think may be Castrol) as recommended by MG-R. I thought that industry standard 10/40 semi synthetics were all made to this viscosity, probably with differing additives.
I could see that a VVC might be more sensitive. How does the ECU know Castrol is put, not any old stuff

I read it on one of the forums, it was written by someone who certainly appeared knowledgeable. Obviously the ECU has no idea whose oil is in the engine but according to the author the actuation of the VVT is affected by both the viscosity of the oil and the viscosity change with temperature. Whether it's fact or fiction is unknown to the vast majority of us, since I have a VVC engine that is quiet I will continue using Magnatec. I will also continue to change the oil annually even though it is more frequently than required. The problem is that I will never know whether a cheaper oil would have performed as well or not, I tend to watch out for when Halfords or ECP have a discounted offer price, last year it was just over £18 for four litres.

[MAXTHEDOG]

Hi,
Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.
I’ve got some 10W/40 as per the manual. Also, I found the invoice for the service that said Magnatec 10W/40 so that’s that.
Cheers,
Michael.

[RobboMC]

[
[/quote]
I will also continue to change the oil annually even though it is more frequently than required. The problem is that I will never know whether a cheaper oil would have performed as well or not,
[/quote]

I once asked a very knowledgeable man if I should upgrade the oil in the new Toyota 4WD I was buying.
His response was:

"Oil is cheap compared to the alternative"

Buy the best oil you can.

I drained the Toyota oil and stared using Mobil 1, even inside the warranty period.

25 years later that engine is still going strongly. One of the babies it was bought to transport now drives it to work.


Also, I thought annually was the longest time period between oil changes. Don't the handbooks say "xx,000 miles or 6/12 months, whichever is the shorter"