We recently received a spontaneous testimonial about Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40 through our Russian distributor GNV. The customer owns a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser which he operates in extreme conditions, with temperatures ranging from -52 to +40 °C. Read the interview below to discover his findings.
Can you introduce yourself and your car?
My name is Alexander and I live in the south of Russia. Since 2011, I own a Toyota Land Cruiser 80 made in 1996, with a HD-FT 24-valve turbo-diesel engine. When I bought the car, the mileage was 170.000 km, today it is 523.000 km. I am not a professional car mechanic, but I try to service my car myself. It is not uncommon that I have to do repairs far from service stations, and I have special requirements for spare parts and fluids.
How do you typically use your Toyota Land Cruiser?
Next to day to travel around the city, I enjoy making trips with my family and friends that range from 100 to 9000 km per trip. Where I live (in the south of Russia), air temperatures can reach more than 40° C in summer, but I also often go on business trips to the Far North – near the Arctic Circle, with air temperatures can drop down to minus 52° C. The driving conditions here can be extremely challenging, like driving 4000 km on paved roads followed by 800 km off-road.
Since I frequently go on long-distance trips where the nearest village can be up to 1000 km away, the reliability of my car, both the mechanical parts and the engine, is very important for me. Therefore I use only high-quality lubricants in all units.
“Since I frequently go on long-distance trips where the nearest village can be up to 1000 km away, the reliability of my car, both the mechanical parts and the engine, is very important for me. Therefore I use only high-quality lubricants in all units.”
What prompted you to try Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40?
I always try to change my car’s oil at the Pentagon company, since these are credible guys, I trust them, and I know that they strictly monitor the quality of the products they sell. At the most recent oil change, the manager suggested trying Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40. At first I was skeptical, since I had never used this oil before, and I did not want to do any unnecessary “experiments” with and engine that has a mileage of over 500.000 km – but I decided to trust the professionals, and did not regret it.
What did you notice when you first changed the oil after using Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40?
At first nothing special happened, but while operating during -32oC frosts I noticed that starting the engine became easier, even without using a pre-heater – which I normally always use. The engine runs smoothly without extraneous sounds. As before, it can be a little softer at high revs, but in diesel engines this is a very subtle detail that can only be noticed if you use the car for a long time in different modes.
What advice about motor oil can you give other Toyota Land Cruiser owners?
At first glance, Q8O Formula Arctic 5W-40 seems like an ordinary oil, until you see the results. I recently changed the valve cover gasket and was very surprised when I removed the cover. All car mechanics know what diesel engines look like from the inside with a mileage of more than half a million. On the below picture you can see the result of using Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40, the photo has not been altered, it is real!
Unfortunately I do not have a photo of the valve cover before I started using this oil. But trust me, it was in a much worse state.
Today I can confidently say that Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40 is the oil to use in these conditions. I even started using Q8 Formula Arctic 5W-40 in my other car!
Thank you Alexander for sharing your testimonial!
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