How to change the motor oil on your Citroen 2CV - step by step

In cooperation with Total Oil

OIL

Customer’s enquiry:

Is it so important using 20W40 on the 2CV, whatever the year of construction?

I usually put 15W40 in my 2CV from 1986, which I buy from any hardware store. 

DER FRANZOSE:

The 15W40 oil is the most commonly used oil on the four-stroke engines.

Both 15W40 and 20W50 are mineral engine oils, which can be used on the 2CV engine. Nevertheless, we recommend using the Total 20W50 engine oil, which can handle a wider temperature range due to its higher viscosity. 

The HTX Classic 20W50 engine oil, which we offer, has been developed specially for classic engines and guarantees a better lubrication.Moreover, it helps reducing the so-called „oil sweating“, which is familiar in vintage engines. 

Customer’s enquiry:

Would you please be so kind telling me more about the interval which has to be taken into consideration for oil service? Given the quality of the oils, I guess that an oil service is not necessary within 7500km or rather around 10000km.

DER FRANZOSE:

Several aspects are crucial for an oil service, especially when it concerns a classic vehicle. First of all, many vehicles do not have a factory-made oil-filter, built in until the 1950s and 1960s. An annual oil service is essential for vehicles, which do not have an exchangeable oil filter cartridge, especially if you do not know the exact servicing history of the vehicle or engine and if you suspected that there might be deposits in the engine due to aging or usage. The mineral engine oils available in the retail shops, are not ©Longlife oils like those used in today’s modern vehicle fleets. The annual mileage of an engine is certainly one of the decisive but not the only criteria for the frequency of the oil service. 

The „strain“ on the oil depends on the temperature and power curves of the engine. You will certainly change the oil more often on a Dauphine Gordon, which you drive up the hills, 5 times a year than on a 2cv, with which you drive to mum’s place in the neighbouring village, to pick up a piece of cake on Sundays!

The vehicle is old-fashioned, you yourselves are old-fashioned (no insult - only friendly said), so my precious one also gets fresh engine oil every spring, just like my lawnmower.