[CaptRMac]

Greetings,
I have a new car in my parking space and I'm still in shock….
2015 XB Base model, 5 speed manual, nice silver color and I'm really enjoying driving this car.
I have just over 1 K miles and thinking of dumping the oil and putting in 0-20
Mobile 1 in it, live in Seattle and wondered if that would be an appropriate choice. Also wanted to ask about the tranny oil, the dealer said it has Red Line in it and wanted to ask when would be a good time to replace that as well.
Cheers

 

[Paul1114]

There are tons of different opinions on engine oil, but I would stick with 5-20 full synthetic, especially since it gets fairly cold up there in the winter (0-20 is pushing it IMO). Transmission fluid is kind of a mixed bag; for automatics, Mobil1 synthetic is the proven choice. For manuals, I honestly don't know; even the turbocharged crowd doesn't seem to care that much as long as it's GL4 compliant and you change it regularly (I've seen recommendations as low as 25k, but the factory recommendation may be much higher).

A couple other "new xB" suggestions:

1. Get the rear sway bar. There is no upgrade as cost effective or dramatic, and it's something the car really should have come with in the first place. The part number is PTR11-52091 and you can find the kit for about $225-250 online. This can be installed without lifting the car or removing the wheels, and you can do it sitting in a parking lot with hand tools (it's extremely easy).

2. When your front brakes are due for their first service, upgrade to the TC2 front brakes. It's a direct bolt in swap and you get a little better braking (grab some nearly new OEM TC2 calipers on eBay and add in some new rotors and pads; the brake lines and mounting points are exactly the same).

 

[CaptRMac]

I got mobile 1 0-20 weight on sale and I'll see if I can exchange it for the
5-30. The rear sway bar most certainly would improve handling but at what cost of ride quality ?

 

[Paul1114]

0-20 is fine, I'd just run 5-20 by winter if possible. It probably won't make a big difference.

The downside to the sway bar is that you feel the force of every turn more - that energy has to go somewhere, and if the body isn't rolling as much, you are. Still, it's kind of silly that it isn't a stock feature; the whole suspension is better with it all around.

 

[CaptRMac]

Thanks Paul, the owners manual mentions 5W-20 as the first choice but also states that 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. The sway bar sounds good, a bit harsher ride but at the benefit of improved handling. I'll put that on my list. Thanks

 

[xb10.0]

congratulations !! nice ride

I use synthetic castrol oil, so far so good ( here in hot Texas )

 

[CaptRMac]

About to change the oil for the first time @ 3 K Putting in Mobile 1
0W-20 and will have the dealer change it again at the free 5 K service, along with Red Line manual gear oil…. should Purr well after that
I like the car so far, really enjoy the 5 speed manual, torque is good below 3 K

 

[CaptRMac]

32.3 average MPG after oil change to Mobile 1 0W 20 and a mix of around town and freeway driving at a little over 3 K.
Sweet .....

 

[Paul1114]

lol that's nuts; I've never seen above 23 combined, but I'm on a '09 auto

 

[CaptRMac]

I thought so as well. I'll do a good old fashioned calculation to back it up but my guess is it will be pretty close. Light footed acceleration and quick shifting along with coasting when I can.

 

[Dale]

Great
job. This is the best way to save money. Not only for gas,but tires,brakes,and engine. It's all good.

 

[CaptRMac]

Yes about a steady 30 MPG combined in my daily drives to work.
A mix of city and freeway and this has been calculated on the smooth end of things this last week. No big traffic snarls..... I'm impressed.