Selespeed Oil

Hi,

I have a 99 (V) 156 Selespeed and need to top up the Selespeed oil.

It says in the manual to use "Tutela CS Speed" oil. Now I wasn't sure if
this was a type of oil or a brand. Tried a couple of local places, but they
hadn't heard of it.

Phoned my nearest Alfa dealer (who are not particularly) close. They didn't
tell me much. Didn't actually answer the question about if it is just a
brand, or if it is a special "type" of fluid. Although, eventually said it
was a type of ATF, but that they don't have any specifications.

After a couple of minutes searching, I found this:

http://www.flpoland.pl/www_eng/oleje...elacsspeed.htm

This is from the manufacturer who make the Tutela branded oil. This page
states:

"Technical Data
ATF Dexron III
Mercon
ZF TE-ML 11/14 Level"

Now based upon that, I stopped off at Halfords on the way home & bought a
litre of "Castrol Automatic Dexron III". This is stated also as being "GM
Dexron III" & "Mercon M051103" & "ZF 04D, 14A, 17C". This sounds pretty much
the correct specification.

However, now that I am home I have noticed one main difference between the
two. The Tetula is fully synthetic, whereas the Castrol is mineral based.

Would there be a problem with mixing minera lbased & synthetic products?
Or should it be ok to use the Castrol?

Before anyone says it, the only reason I have not gone to the Alfa dealer to
buy the Tetula is because it is so damn hard. There is absolutely no way I
could get there on a week day. And on a Saturday they only open until 12:30.
So once my son finishes football it leaves it very tight (probably too
tight) to get all the way over tho the dealer in time.

Alternatively, is there another fully synthetic product that meets the
stated requirements?


Many thanks,
Simon

"SilentBob" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 99 (V) 156 Selespeed and need to top up the Selespeed oil.
>
> It says in the manual to use "Tutela CS Speed" oil. Now I wasn't sure if
> this was a type of oil or a brand. Tried a couple of local places, but
> they hadn't heard of it.
>
> Phoned my nearest Alfa dealer (who are not particularly) close. They
> didn't tell me much. Didn't actually answer the question about if it is
> just a brand, or if it is a special "type" of fluid. Although, eventually
> said it was a type of ATF, but that they don't have any specifications.
>
> After a couple of minutes searching, I found this:
>
> http://www.flpoland.pl/www_eng/oleje...elacsspeed.htm
>
> This is from the manufacturer who make the Tutela branded oil. This page
> states:
>
> "Technical Data
> ATF Dexron III
> Mercon
> ZF TE-ML 11/14 Level"
>
> Now based upon that, I stopped off at Halfords on the way home & bought a
> litre of "Castrol Automatic Dexron III". This is stated also as being "GM
> Dexron III" & "Mercon M051103" & "ZF 04D, 14A, 17C". This sounds pretty
> much the correct specification.
>
> However, now that I am home I have noticed one main difference between the
> two. The Tetula is fully synthetic, whereas the Castrol is mineral based.
>
> Would there be a problem with mixing minera lbased & synthetic products?
> Or should it be ok to use the Castrol?
>
> Before anyone says it, the only reason I have not gone to the Alfa dealer
> to buy the Tetula is because it is so damn hard. There is absolutely no
> way I could get there on a week day. And on a Saturday they only open
> until 12:30. So once my son finishes football it leaves it very tight
> (probably too tight) to get all the way over tho the dealer in time.
>
> Alternatively, is there another fully synthetic product that meets the
> stated requirements?
>
>

Well, whats the chances of the Alfa dealer using Selenia, Tetula or
whatever. most likely they shove in whatever is on special at the
wholesalers. I'd think twice about mixing fully synth with mineral based
fluid though. Might be safer to drain it all out first, or get hold of the
synthetic stuff.

"Mr Flobby" > wrote in message
...
> "SilentBob" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a 99 (V) 156 Selespeed and need to top up the Selespeed oil.
>>
>> It says in the manual to use "Tutela CS Speed" oil. Now I wasn't sure if
>> this was a type of oil or a brand. Tried a couple of local places, but
>> they hadn't heard of it.
>>
>> Phoned my nearest Alfa dealer (who are not particularly) close. They
>> didn't tell me much. Didn't actually answer the question about if it is
>> just a brand, or if it is a special "type" of fluid. Although, eventually
>> said it was a type of ATF, but that they don't have any specifications.
>>
>> After a couple of minutes searching, I found this:
>>
>> http://www.flpoland.pl/www_eng/oleje...elacsspeed.htm
>>
>> This is from the manufacturer who make the Tutela branded oil. This page
>> states:
>>
>> "Technical Data
>> ATF Dexron III
>> Mercon
>> ZF TE-ML 11/14 Level"
>>
>> Now based upon that, I stopped off at Halfords on the way home & bought a
>> litre of "Castrol Automatic Dexron III". This is stated also as being "GM
>> Dexron III" & "Mercon M051103" & "ZF 04D, 14A, 17C". This sounds pretty
>> much the correct specification.
>>
>> However, now that I am home I have noticed one main difference between
>> the two. The Tetula is fully synthetic, whereas the Castrol is mineral
>> based.
>>
>> Would there be a problem with mixing minera lbased & synthetic products?
>> Or should it be ok to use the Castrol?
>>
>> Before anyone says it, the only reason I have not gone to the Alfa dealer
>> to buy the Tetula is because it is so damn hard. There is absolutely no
>> way I could get there on a week day. And on a Saturday they only open
>> until 12:30. So once my son finishes football it leaves it very tight
>> (probably too tight) to get all the way over tho the dealer in time.
>>
>> Alternatively, is there another fully synthetic product that meets the
>> stated requirements?
>>
>>
>
> Well, whats the chances of the Alfa dealer using Selenia, Tetula or
> whatever. most likely they shove in whatever is on special at the
> wholesalers. I'd think twice about mixing fully synth with mineral based
> fluid though. Might be safer to drain it all out first, or get hold of
> the synthetic stuff.
BTW there's Tutela stuff on ebay, you might want to mail the seller and ask
if they have the grade you need.

>> Well, whats the chances of the Alfa dealer using Selenia, Tetula or
>> whatever. most likely they shove in whatever is on special at the
>> wholesalers. I'd think twice about mixing fully synth with mineral based
>> fluid though. Might be safer to drain it all out first, or get hold of
>> the synthetic stuff.
> BTW there's Tutela stuff on ebay, you might want to mail the seller and
> ask if they have the grade you need.
Ok, thanks. May have a look on EBay. Alternatively, may see if I can find a
fully synthetic D3 or D4. It just seems like it is gonna be impossible for
me to get to the dealers who sell this stuff (Alfa/ Fiat/ Ferrari/ Maserati/
Aston Martin).

If anyone knows a source in or around Maidstone that would be ideal.

"SilentBob" > wrote in message
...

> If anyone knows a source in or around Maidstone that would be ideal.

Have Pipers packed up now? Failing that, the Ferrari Centre at Parkwood in
Maidstone might be able to help, or Medway Auto's in Rainham.

I'd recommend Northgate Alfa in Canterbury, but realise that may be too far
for you.

HTH

Regards
Ross

"SilentBob" > wrote in message
...

> If anyone knows a source in or around Maidstone that would be ideal.

Have Pipers packed up now? Failing that, the Ferrari Centre at Parkwood in
Maidstone might be able to help, or Medway Autos in Rainham.

I'd recommend Northgate Alfa in Canterbury, but realise that may be too far
for you.

HTH

Regards
Ross

> Have Pipers packed up now? Failing that, the Ferrari Centre at Parkwood in
> Maidstone might be able to help, or Medway Autos in Rainham.
>
> I'd recommend Northgate Alfa in Canterbury, but realise that may be too
> far
> for you.
>
> HTH
>
> Regards
> Ross
>
I don't think there is still a Pipers in Maidstone (they possibly still have
the Vauxhall dealership in T/Wells). What vehicles did they sell in
Maidstone then?

Ferrari? In Parkwood? Are you sure?
Where would that be? Or what would they have been called? Best not leave the
car oparked outside for too long though!

"SilentBob" > wrote in message
...

> I don't think there is still a Pipers in Maidstone (they possibly still
> have the Vauxhall dealership in T/Wells). What vehicles did they sell in
> Maidstone then?
>

Fiat and Alfa, on Upper Stone Street I think it was...they seem to have gone
from the dealer list on the Alfa uk web site so I gues they've packed in!

> Ferrari? In Parkwood? Are you sure?
> Where would that be? Or what would they have been called? Best not leave
> the car oparked outside for too long though!
>

:-)

I shouldn't think they sell many locally! I haven't been for a look round
for 18 months or so, but the web site is still working so I assume they're
still there.

http://www.theferraricentre.com/

They're independent specialists and may be able to help with some suitable
oil...if not you can always look at the pretty red cars! ;-)

Regards
Ross

>
> Fiat and Alfa, on Upper Stone Street I think it was...they seem to have
> gone
> from the dealer list on the Alfa uk web site so I gues they've packed in!
>

Nope. Definitely not there anymore.

>
> I shouldn't think they sell many locally! I haven't been for a look round
> for 18 months or so, but the web site is still working so I assume they're
> still there.
>
> http://www.theferraricentre.com/
>
> They're independent specialists and may be able to help with some suitable
> oil...if not you can always look at the pretty red cars! ;-)
>
> Regards
> Ross
>

Well I'd be...! Oh well. Took a LOOONG lunch and drove to the Thames stealer
iin T/Wells. As well as Alfa & Fiat they are also ****reon dealers too!

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 09:09:53 -0000, "Ross"
> selected combat throttle and
flew into a dogfight with:

>
>"SilentBob" > wrote in message
...
>
>> If anyone knows a source in or around Maidstone that would be ideal.
>
>Have Pipers packed up now?

I can confirm Pipers is no more. I recently received a flyer from
Lipscombe FIAT http://www.lipscombe.co.uk who appear to be located in
Aylesford.

> Medway Autos in Rainham.

Is now my nearest Alfa/FIAT/Mercedes/Brabus dealer.
--
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Alfa 156 2.0 JTS Selespeed Veloce
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