812SF Engine Oil

I have a fundamental problem that the dealer service people will not even identify what they will out in your car for services even. That is absurd. It’s not a secret and should be listed on the invoice showing what was done so bad on them to not be clear with your question.
I had a similar question with a Lamborghini model and called and gave info without reservation. Shouldn’t be that hard.

 

Stay away from the Shell. That crap foams like crazy. Foam equals low oil pressure and poor lubrication.

The Penzoil is just a change Ferrari has made as Penzoil is now what they run in F1. It's both interesting and unsettling that your dealer will not disclose what they use.

My dealer uses Penzoil if nothing else is specified, but some of the more techie oriented guys are really fond of Royal Purple. The latter is my oil of choice for a few simple reasons.

It is stable as far as viscocity goes.
It is high heat resistant.
It has a very high shear strength for its viscocity.
I have NEVER seen it foam in either a dry sump or wet sump application.

There's a reason why it's a favorite with many track rats and lower class racers.

If you don't run your car hard and stick to the scheduled oil changes, Royal Purple HPS is a good choice. If you get a change each year or after 5000 miles, you can opt for XPR.

If you don't feel comfortable running such oils, use the Penzoil of the two. I have seen it foam, but not to the extent of the Shell.

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

This. It is definitely a big red flag, and if I was in the OP's shoes, I'd contact Ferrari customer service. It is beyond scetchy.

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

The oil brand and type is a moot point for the first seven years of ownership from new. My dealership uses the Pennzoil Euro 5W-40 made from natural gas. I know this because I requested a couple quarts when I bought the car. It was funny that they said no one ever asked before. When I asked him why didn't they use the SHELL HELIX ULTRA Racing SAE 10W-60 oil in the manual he took one of the bottles and scratched out the 5W-40 and wrote 10W-60 on it!! Doesn't matter if you are a typical owner and Ferrari does the annual including oil change.

 

10w60?
What?

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Read for yourself:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1110293/Ferrari-2012-F12-Berlinetta.html?page=35&term=shell&selected=1

 

That can't be right. That seems way beyond anything sensible. That's what people run in 600+ cid 2500hp blown engines with huge clearances and solid lifters.

Is that from an F12 owners manual? I'll have to cross reference that with the manual I have here tomorrow. That made my head spin. 10W60. That's a first.

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

That's the official Ferrari owners manual. Its the same as in my bound manual and matches the sticker under my engine hood. I have used straight 60W in modified engines back in the 70s. Back then oil would thin to water when hot and there was no multi-viscosity. I have not done the oil myself in the F12 since it is covered under the 7-year and now the extended Ferrari warranty that includes the annual. Maybe next year I'll start doing it myself and address it then.

 

True but 10w60 is not a common street oil. Interesting to see that they have changed to a more normal 5w40.

Not surprised about BMW. They have always used tons of oil.

But what really puzzles me is this. Most often, the heavy stuff is for large engines with very high cylinder pressure. Moe
Re often than not, tight tolerance race engines run oils in the 5 and 10 weight section. The oil in some naturally aspirated race engines are like water with a weight of Zero. I know this is not a race engine, but still. I understand 40 weight, but am still sometimes wondering why not 30 to get parasitic losses down. 10w60 is a heavy oil to move after all. I believe the Lusso runs 5w40 as well.

Sent from my SM-G930F using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

In the UK they use Shell. They give you a bottle secured with Velcro in the boot.
I have 4 bottles now as I have never needed to top up.
Its the other way, I had to have the dealer come out and remove 2L !! The car was smoking on startup so I did the full check procedure and it was 2" above top level, so much for the 190 point check, it also came with faulty front parking sensor!
They said fill only to half way on the dipstick and it will still have 11 L in it.

 

On my Superfast I had 1600 miles with no oil consumption. Just got an F12 so I can't tell you much on that yet.

 

Browsing V12 owners manuals gives this information:
550 Maranello: 5W40
575M: 5W40, and 10W60 for "hot climate or track use"
599: 10W60
F12: 10W60

 

Did you go from an F12 to and 812 and now back to an F12?

 

I’m glad I’m not the only one that’s seeing my 812 consume oil. I think the consumption you are seeing is similar to how mine has been. I just recently had an oil change at the dealer and afterwards following oil check procedure to the T- dipstick has thick line to slightly before minimum and thin strip towards max. I’ve never really seen it be a thick line to the middle of the min/max. Curious if you have.

At one point the engine was not sounding right and had quite loud lifter tick. This was probably after putting 5-6k miles on it. The car didn’t tell me it was low on oil but after putting a couple quarts in it was fine.

 

When you see 10 year old cars with 5,000 miles or less on them its quite understandable.

 

Yes indeed. Although it is how a hybrid as it has Superfast wheels.


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks. Dealership mechanics do mention that they will consume oil but that since much of engine hand built it varies car to car. I’m wondering if people changing the oil are paranoid not to overfill which is why I’m never seeing dipstick in the right place. Will add a quart and retry this weekend.