Its Re:Re:Re:Turning the traction control off (Gen 4)

I think these style of alternators are pretty much standard everywhere on newer cars as they assist with fuel consumption, "turning off" the alternator when it is not needed.

mlines wrote: The 10.6 to 16.3 volt range of the alternator is what it can output. Something is commanding it to output the voltage. Therefore if it is outputting low, either the alternator is faulty or the command circuit is telling it to do the wrong thing.
If it's is being told wrong then the sensor shunt on the battery is faulty or there is a faulty connection or wire in the circuit. If the ECM thinks the engine needs help it will command the alternator to drop the voltage it is generating to help relieve the load on the engine. You could probably disconnect the battery sensor and create a little circuit to simulate demand on the battery and see if the alternator output is varied by the ECM.

Martin, I just sent an you email with a question "what can I do", well I have added into the weekly Resting Voltage Table all the refuelling dates and the octane and the Oil Change dates and grade of engine oil.

The one that makes the difference is the oil changes.
After the first oil change in August last year a drop in battery voltage.
After the second oil change in February this year a slight increase in battery voltage.
Could the oil be too heavy for a new motor? In August 10W30, in February 5W30.

Should the question I am to ask be, can they use 0w16 or 0W20 oil??

For market code E02, E22 and E54
It is recommended to use engine oil of SL, SM or SN grade.
Select an appropriate SAE oil viscosity according to the chart [A].
0W-16 oil is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
Except for market code E02, E22 and E54
It is recommended to use engine oil of SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM or SN grade.
Select an appropriate SAE oil viscosity according to the chart [A].
0W-20 oil is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather

mlines wrote: For market code E02, E22 and E54
It is recommended to use engine oil of SL, SM or SN grade.
Select an appropriate SAE oil viscosity according to the chart [A].
0W-16 oil is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.
Except for market code E02, E22 and E54
It is recommended to use engine oil of SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM or SN grade.
Select an appropriate SAE oil viscosity according to the chart [A].
0W-20 oil is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather

That's an easy one, Australia is E24, so I will ask for 0W-20 Oil on Tuesday! :woohoo:

www.castrol.com/en_au/australia/home/car...start.html#tab_0w-20

Just in case anyone wants to look up their Market Code: www.rhinopower.org/Tech/ECodes.html

You put 10W30 into it? Or the dealer?
Does no-one read the manual anymore?
I don't understand however, why they have singled out the UK, Germany and Israel to specify 0W16, I mean it's not like the UK has a similar temperature range to Israel, and whilst we do have a similar climate to Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark, they get to spec 0W20??

I suspect the K15B was designed to run on 5W-30 and the 0 weight oils have been introduced where necessary to keep emissions down. Take a look at hot 0w16 and you wouldn't risk it on a sewing machine. Chris