Hi guys,

I've been reading through these forums for the last few weeks and found the discussions very informative. I just bought a TE V6 manual. Very happy with it and I'd like a little advise on what oil weight/viscosity to use?

It has 175,000km's. I know the previous owner has logbook serviced it up until a year ago and hasn't changed the oil or fluids since.....

I'll be putting in semi synthetic since I don't know if the current oil is mineral or synth but which oil weight/viscosity should I use in a semi synth oil? 15/40w or maybe 20/50w?

The coolant hasn't been changed either. Seems like a coolant flush might be a good idea.

I'd luv to hear any other tips or from anyone with a similar experience when they first got their 3rd gen.

Cheers

coolant is a once in a long while thing...i'd go with the lighter oil for the 3rd gens, they see to be quite reliable in those sort of terms... where do you live, ie the climate... i'd go a 10 or 15W

For the answer to these and other questions buy yourself a Haynes (http://www.pitstop.net.au/pitstop/prog/OpenDocument.cgi?id=V0X7S13PUM&PLU=11502) or Gregorys (http://www.pitstop.net.au/pitstop/prog/OpenDocument.cgi?id=V0X7S13PUM&PLU=208) manual

I was using 10/30 in my TF 3.0 for ages but it started to get bad lifter noise on cold start. I then changed my oil to 20/40 and havent had an issue since and the engine has done 260000 km. Service intervals are 15000 km but advise you do an oil change at least every 10000. Oils just cant keep their viscosity up for that long. As for the coolant, i do mine every 50000. I should probably change it sooner but this seems to work ok. I havent chewed through a head or blown a head gasket yet. Touch wood! I hope that you enjoy the TE, the V6 manuals are definately the way to go! :bowrofl:

thanks guys, yeah the gregorys it a must. I'll be picking one up soon.

I'm probably going a bit overboard & I'll find it much easier to make a choice on which oil after this first oil change :D.

175,000 clicks is up there so a 20/40 or 20/50 is a sound idea. Since the oil change hasn't been done for a while, I'm not sure if a 15/40w or 15/50w might be a better choice for better start up protection.

I'd like the engine to spin freely but I want the maximum protection so i'm flip flopping on the decision.

I run Valvoline Durablend 10W40 (semi-synthetic), its liquid gold..

for all third Gen lubricants see following:

Mobil Brand

MITSUBISHI
Magna TE/ TF Series, 2.4 Litre Eng. (1996-1999) Crankcase
MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER XHP 15W-40 or MOBIL SUPER HP 20W-50 or MOBIL 1 5W-50
Capacity 4.3* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.2 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 7.8 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.


MITSUBISHI
Magna TE/ TF Series, 3.0 Litre Eng. (1996-1999) Crankcase
MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER XHP 15W-40 or MOBIL SUPER HP 20W-50 or MOBIL 1 5W-50
Capacity 4.3* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.8 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.


MITSUBISHI
Magna TH Series, 3.0/ 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (1999-2000) Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL 1 5W-50 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.3*, 4.7* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.8 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ AWD Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (2003)
Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.7* Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 422)
4WD Transfer
MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90 or MOBILUBE HD 80W-90
Capacity 0.6 Litres
4WD Differential
MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90 or MOBILUBE HD 80W-90
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 205)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
205 Consistently below 10 deg. C, use MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ Ralliart, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng. (2002-2003)
Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.7* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.8 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 422)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ Series, 3.0/ 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (2000-2003) Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL 1 5W-50 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.3*, 4.7* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.8 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
MITSUBISHI
Magna TL AWD Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (2003-2004) Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.7* Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
4WD Transfer
MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90 or MOBILUBE HD 80W-90
Capacity 0.62 Litres
4WD Differential
MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90 or MOBILUBE HD 80W-90
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 205)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
205 Consistently below 10 deg. C, use MOBILUBE SHC 75W-90.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TL Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (2003-2004)
Crankcase
MOBIL 1 10W-30 or MOBIL SUPER FE SPECIAL 5W-30 or MOBIL SUPER GF-2 10W-30 or MOBIL SYNTH S 10W-40 or MOBIL SUPER S 10W-40
Capacity 4.7* Litres
Manual Transmission
MOBILUBE XHP 75W-90
Capacity 2.8 Litres
Automatic Transmission
Refer to Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
Differential
Combined with Transmission
Power Steering
Refer to Dealer
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.

For Shell in third gen Magnas. Take note: you may use Helix Ultra I have asked a Shell spokesman before. And Mitsubishi uses Shell in most dealers.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TE/ TF Series, 2.4 Litre Eng. (1996-1999) CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus 15W-50
Capacity 4.3* Litres (See Note 4)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.2 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Shell Donax TX
Capacity 7.8 Litres (See Note 12, 16)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
4 May also use HELIX SUPER.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
16 May also use HELIX SYNTHETIC ATF.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TE/ TF Series, 3.0 Litre Eng. (1996-1999)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus 15W-50
Capacity 4.3* Litres (See Note 4)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Shell Donax TX
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12, 16)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)


MITSUBISHI
Magna TH Series, 3.0/ 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (1999-2000)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.3*, 4.7* Litres (See Note 279)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Shell Donax TX
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12, 16, 500)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)


MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ Series, 3.0/ 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (2000-2003)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.3*, 4.7* Litres (See Note 279)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
279 Factory fill is 5W-30. Using higher viscosities may slightly increase fuel consumption.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ Ralliart, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng. (2002-2003) CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
Refer Dealer
(See Note 422)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TJ AWD Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (2003-2003)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
Refer Dealer
(See Note 422)
4WD DIFFERENTIAL
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 14, 205)
4WD TRANSFER
Shell Spirax AX 80W-90
Capacity 0.6 Litres
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
14 May also use SPIRAX A 80W-90 or HELIX DIFF.
205 Consistently below 10 deg. C, use XGO 75/90.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TL Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Engs. (2003-2004)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.

MITSUBISHI
Magna TL AWD Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (2003-2004)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
4WD DIFFERENTIAL
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 14, 205)
4WD TRANSFER
Shell Spirax AX 80W-90
Capacity 0.62 Litres
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
14 May also use SPIRAX A 80W-90 or HELIX DIFF.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
205 Consistently below 10 deg. C, use XGO 75/90.

MITSUBISHI
Verada KE/ KF Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (1996-1999)
CRANKCASE Shell Helix Plus 15W-50
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 4)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Shell Donax TX
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12, 16)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
4 May also use HELIX SUPER.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
16 May also use HELIX SYNTHETIC ATF.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.

MITSUBISHI
Verada KH Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Automatic (1999-2000)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 279)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Shell Donax TX
Capacity 8.5 Litres (See Note 12, 16, 500)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
16 May also use HELIX SYNTHETIC ATF.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
279 Factory fill is 5W-30. Using higher viscosities may slightly increase fuel consumption.
500 Models after 1999, refer to Dealer for recommended lubricant.

MITSUBISHI
Verada KJ Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Automatic (2000-2003)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 279)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
117 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Part No. AW 329392.
279 Factory fill is 5W-30. Using higher viscosities may slightly increase fuel consumption.

MITSUBISHI
Verada KJ AWD, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Automatic (2003-2003)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
Refer Dealer
(See Note 422)
4WD DIFFERENTIAL
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 14, 205)
4WD TRANSFER
Shell Spirax AX 80W-90
Capacity 0.6 Litres
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
14 May also use SPIRAX A 80W-90 or HELIX DIFF.
205 Consistently below 10 deg. C, use XGO 75/90.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Verada GTV KJ Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Automatic (2002-2003)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
Refer Dealer
(See Note 422)
NOTES
* Includes Oil Filter
3 May also use HELIX PLUS 15W-50.
12 Dry fill capacity shown, fill only to full mark.
422 Manufacturer recommends Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid.

MITSUBISHI
Verada KL Series, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Auto. (2003-2004)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shell Spirax GX 80W or Shell Helix Gear
Capacity 2.8 Litres
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.4 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)


MITSUBISHI
Verada KL AWD, 3.5 Litre V6 Eng., Automatic (2003-2004)
CRANKCASE
Shell Helix Plus Eco 10
Capacity 4.7* Litres (See Note 3)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Refer Dealer
Capacity 8.8 Litres (See Note 12)
DIFFERENTIAL
Combined with Transmission
POWER STEERING
(See Note 117)
4WD DIFFERENTIAL
Capacity 0.55 Litres (See Note 14, 205)
4WD TRANSFER
Shell Spirax AX 80W-90
Capacity 0.62 Litres


© Copyright 2003, Datateck Publishing Pty Limited

Instead of just saying what engine oil to use, no offence to anyone, and you have doubts. EVERY company that makes Engine oil here have a WEBSITE, use it. example Castrol.com.au, Shell.com.au, Yes even Pennzoil and others.

There has been talks about using FULLY Sythetic or whatever the companies recommend. Most companies recommend partial Syn oils. However it is ok to use Fully Synthetic, IMO is better, but use the correct grade like 10-40W, 5-40W, 0r 5-50W. try to stay within this range and you be ok.

and I have check again, oil change is done every 3000 miles!For real performance and good maintenance, thats about 5000kms so if you were thinking 10000kms you might want to check it out again. Read the oil filter charts or boxes when you buy any filters!!! They clearly indicate when you are suppose to do a change.

cheers!

Penrite HPR15 for the engine

Thanks guys for all the sugestions.

I ended up doing the oil change today with pennzoil semi synth 15/50w. The good bit was when I found a sticker in the engine bay saying the timing belt was done at 140,000 so I was pretty happy. I had some money set aside so I thought I'd get the Lukey LR2779 muffler installed. $150 installed at the local Carline Mufflers.

I must admit I was expecting a little more loudness from the muffler but it still growls nicely. I can beleive this is oem/retail muffler they used on the VRX.

The extra kilowatts are there!!!:D :D

I've done bolt on mods/mufflers on other cars and I was never overly impressed. Maybe it's the manual gearbox but you can really feel it in the gear changes. When I kept the tacho around 3,000, it always pulled really hard!!!

I was driving home on a twisty 90km road tonight and had the cruise control set on 95kms. I know this road well, with the cruise on, each time it pushed back up to 95kms I was using stomach muslces I hadn't used on this road before :D

cheers! on your ride mate.

I think I will do a proper write up on the Engine oils and simple Engine oil change procedure when time permits me to do so.

Enjoy your car!