64 Oil System Synthetic Lubrication Synthetic oils are offered as an alternative to the traditional, petroleum based oils for engines. These oils may be used in Volvo engines, provided they meet the quality levels specified on the previous pages, that is: VDS-2, API CI-4, EO-N Premium Plus. Product information about synthetic oil should be reviewed carefully. Their use does not permit an automatic extension on recommended oil change intervals. The ability to protect the engine is better in some ways compared with petroleum based oils but its lifetime in the engine is the same. This is because of the combustion by-products that contaminate the oil.
These contaminates will make the change intervals the same as for petroleum based oils. The use of synthetic oils does not permit the extension of the recommended oil change intervals . Synthetic oils offer improved low temperature flow properties and high temperature oxidation resistance. They are generally more costly than petroleum based oils. However, in extreme driving conditions, that is, in extreme cold or in desert operation, a synthetic oil may be the only choice for the application (see next page regarding oil viscosity).