About:

OPIE OILS was established in 1925 and has been trading on the Internet since 2004. In this time we have become the UK's largest independent online retailer of quality Oils and Fluids. We sell the most comprehensive range of quality and specialist oils for Cars and Bikes anywhere in Europe.

Available in our ebay shop are oils and fluids for all makes of cars and bikes, from the most extreme modern super cars and bikes to vintage cars and motorcycles. We stock engine oils, gear oils, differential and axle oils, brake fluids, power steering fluids, coolants and workshop products from Castrol, Mobil, Shell, Fuchs, Silkolene, Motul, Millers Oils, Millers Classic Oils and Red Line.

Unmatched Expertise, unrivalled Choice and great Value for money are what make Opie Oils the market leader.

OPIE KNOW OILS

Delivery:

Our products are delivered Free of charge, usually through Royal Mail or FedEx.

How long will it take to get my order?

After receiving cleared funds we will dispatch all orders within the time frame given on the item listing. The majority of items are held in stock and dispatched from our UK warehouse. UK delivery will take less than 7 working days (i.e. Monday to Friday inclusive), unless we contact you to advise otherwise. In case of Bank Holidays please allow an extra working day.

We may list products which are not held as stock and are special order items. In this instance delivery times may be longer, but we will advise you within one working day if this is the case. Some items may have a specific delivery lead time stated in the description which should also be observed.

Where can my order be delivered to?

Currently we usually only offer delivery throughout the UK. However, where items are eligible for eBay Global Shipping Programme, that will be displayed on the listing. As per eBay policy we can only send to the address that is entered on eBay checkout.

We regret that our couriers are not able to deliver to PO boxes, university campuses and military bases.

How will I know when my order will arrive?

You will receive confirmation once your order has been placed as well as a shipping notification on the day of despatch. Once we are notified of the tracking number, then we will update the dispatch details accordingly.

No Leak Guarantee

We send hundreds of parcels every week. No-one else specialising in the mail order of oils and fluids sends more - and we've been doing it for years. We know how to pack your parcel so that it reaches you safely.

We use high quality, custom made boxes to enable us to pack orders sensibly, offering optimum protection against courier damage.

If - despite our best efforts - any order is damaged, we'll replace it without question!

Returns:

We always want you to be satisfied with your order and pride ourselves on our customer service. If you wish to return goods, please note our returns policy and follow the directions below.

Cancellation and returns

You must obtain a Returns Authorisation Number before returning any goods. Please contact us for this. Please note that we ask for this to ensure any returns are dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Our cancellation policy does not affect your rights when we are at fault, e.g. if goods are faulty or mis-described.

You can cancel your contract before delivery, and up to 14 working days after delivery through distance selling regulations. To do this please message us through eBay. We will refund your money, including the original postage charges through PayPal, within 30 days.

If you cancel, you must return the goods to us at your own expense. You are responsible for the risk of loss or damage when returning items, so you should take out appropriate insurance cover to meet their values.

Faulty Goods

If there is a problem with the goods please contact us to discuss the matter further.

If the goods are found to be faulty within a reasonable time after delivery, you may reject them and claim a full refund.

If a fault is found later on or if you delay in making a complaint you will still be entitled to a replacement. If a replacement is not available, you may be able to claim part or full refund of your money.

Liability

It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that the goods are the correct fitment or application. We cannot accept responsibility for additional charges or consequential loss incurred if a product does not fit or does not give the desired results. Our liability is limited to the price paid for the goods only.

Making a Return

1. We are happy to accept returned goods in the following circumstances:
   1. In the unlikely event we have sent incorrect goods (i.e. not what you ordered as shown on your order confirmation)
   2. When the goods are faulty or can be shown to be faulty within 6 months of purchase
   3. When the goods supplied do not fit your vehicle and we provided incorrect guidance to you as to which product/s were suitable. We ask that you return the goods in the original packaging, clean and resaleable.
   4. In any circumstance within 30 days of you receiving the goods. This is your 14 day right to cancel under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 plus an additional 16 days we offer to our eBay customers
2. In any of the above circumstances, we will refund the cost of all monies paid, including the cost of the postage you paid for us to deliver the goods to you.
3. We will additionally refund the cost of return postage to us in circumstances a, b and c above.
4. However, if you are cancelling your contract with us under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations, you will need to return the goods to us at your expense.
5. In all circumstances, we recommend that you obtain proof of delivery. If the goods are of a value exceeding 100 x the cost of a 1st class Royal Mail letter stamp, you should obtain insurance against loss.
6. You must obtain a Returns Authorisation Number before returning any goods
7. Please note, failure to follow the returns procedure may cause delay in your return, exchange or refund.
8. Please return any goods with their original packaging to:
   
   Ebay Returns,
   Opie Oils,
   The Fuel Depot,
   Cardrew Industrial Estate,
   REDRUTH,
   TR15 1SS

Feedback:

At Opie Oils we believe in 100% customer satisfaction and are very proud to say that our feedback reflects this.

In the unlikely event that you are not 100% satisfied then please give us the opportunity to resolve any issues you may have before leaving feedback.

You can contact us through the eBay Messaging Service. We aim to respond to any correspondence within 1 working day.

FAQ:

Delivery / Returns Information:

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

We will aim to dispatch all orders within 1 working day of receiving cleared funds (Monday to Friday). The vast majority of items are held in stock and dispatched from our UK warehouse. UK delivery will take less than 7 working days (i.e. Monday to Friday inclusive), unless we contact you to advise otherwise. In case of Bank Holidays please allow an extra working day.

We may list products which are not held as stock and are special order items. In this instance delivery times may be longer, but we will advise you within one working day if this is the case. Some items may have a specific delivery lead time stated in the description which should also be observed.

Which Courier do you use?

The vast majority of orders sent to UK destinations are sent via FedEx. Smaller orders are despatched using Royal Mail. Deliveries will take place between the hours of 8 am to 6 pm. If you are out when the courier arrives, the courier will attempt delivery on the next working day and will leave a card to confirm.

FedEx and UKMail will normally attempt to deliver the item twice before returning the item to us. If your item is sent by Royal Mail and no one is in to take delivery, you will be left a card and your item will be held at a local Royal Mail depot for collection. Please ensure someone is present to sign for the item. Should the item be returned to us we will have to charge for re-delivery.

What is your Returns Policy?

Please see our returns information on the Returns tab.

How can I return items that I have ordered in error?

Please see our returns information on the Returns tab.

How do I get my Tracking No?

Once we are notified of the tracking number, then we will update the dispatch details accordingly.

To where can my order be delivered?

We can usually only offer delivery throughout the UK, however where a listing is elibible for eBay Global Shipping Programme you will see this on the listing.. As per eBay policy we can only send to the address that is entered on eBay checkout.

We regret that our couriers are not able to deliver to PO boxes, university campuses and military bases.

Oil Information:

Why is one synthetic oil so much more expensive than another?

There are three types of synthetic oils; Hydrocracked, Polyalphaolefin (PAO) and Ester oils.

Hydrocracked oils are not really synthetic at all; they are highly refined and modified mineral oils that (due largely to the outcome of a landmark court case) can legally be sold as synthetic oils. All cheaper oils and the 'synthetic' component of part-synthetic or semi-synthetic oils are hydrocracked mineral oils.

PAO synthetics are genuine, lab-made synthetic oils that are better lubricants than hydrocracked oils as they are built for their specific use, rather than the hydrocracked oils that are modified to perform a purpose.

Ester based oils are the top end of oil technology and give the best protection available. The ester content (usually ester oils are mixed with PAO oils) has several functions that are very useful. Esters are electrostatically charged so they stick to metal surfaces, meaning that when the vehicle is started, there is already a layer of oil present. They are also more stable at higher temperatures, making them ideal as performance lubricants. The ester content also helps to make those oils better lubricants in general.

Is it okay to mix oils?

Generally speaking, yes! Mixing oil brands, types (synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral) and viscosities is fine. There are a few exceptions;castor and plant based (as used in some biodegradable oils) are not safe to mix with conventional oils. The only problem with mixing oils is that the quality of the better oil is diluted by the lesser one.

Do I need a diesel or petrol oil for my car?

In the case of cars with diesel particulate filters (DPFs/FAPs), they will often need an oil that meets an ACEA C specification, which relates to low ash oils. The ACEA specification of an oil is always written on the bottle (so long as it meets the spec!) The use of oils that do not meet the correct ACEA C specification can result in the particulate filter becoming blocked, an expensive repair.

Other than that, there isn't really such a thing as a diesel engine oil as the vast majority of oils are suitable for both petrol and diesel engines, regardless of how they are marketed. If you look at the specifications listed on an oil, there is usually an ACEA A and an ACEA B specification. The A refers to petrol engine specifications and B to diesel. You will see that the numbers next to the letters are either the same or very close, meaning that the oil is suitable for both types of engine.

Many car manufacturers have their own specifications and as long as the oil meets the relevant one, there is no need to consider the ACEA specifications as they will be part of the manufacturer ones.

How often should I change my oil?

The life of the oil is dependent on many factors.

Full synthetic oils last longer than semi-synthetics or mineral oils, so although they may cost more in the first place, a full synthetic can work out as a cheaper option in the long run. Many cars specify the use of full synthetic long-life oils and these may last over 20000 miles or up to 24 months.

If the car is used on track, the oil is subjected to far harsher conditions than motorway use. That may mean that a good track oil will have broken down sufficiently to need changing after 10 hours of use, whereas the same oil would be good for over 100 hours of use on motorways. Short journeys are very hard on the oil as it does not get the chance to get warm and flow properly as well as acceleration and deceleration making the engine work harder. Motorway use is the easiest condition for oil, the speeds are fairly consistent and rarely push the engine hard, there is plenty of air flow to help cool the engine and the oil has a chance to get up to temperature and flow properly.

Certain engines suffer from fuel dilution (fuel mixing with the oil) and that is one of the quickest ways that an oil can breakdown.

Should I use an oil additive?

Generally, no. Good quality engine oils already contain a complex additive pack including detergents and dispersants, anti-wear, anti-corrosion and anti-foaming additives. The only additives we sometimes advise using are the limited slip differential friction modifiers, for certain differentials, and engine oil additives to assist in the process of breaking in a new engine.

My engine burns oil - should I use a thicker one?

It depends on the engine, what sort of use it gets, how much oil is being used and type of oil being used.

Certain engines really prefer a specific grade of oil to operate optimally, others aren't so fussy. It's best to ask us if you aren't sure if your car can use a range of different viscosity oils.

Most car manufacturers consider it acceptable for an engine to burn a litre of oil every 1000 miles or in some cases, 1000km. While topping up the oil at that frequency may be annoying and possibly expensive, there is generally nothing to worry about.

Using a full synthetic oil may help to reduce oil consumption if a mineral or semi-synthetic oil is being used. Mineral based oils consist of a mix of different sized molecules and the smaller ones can evaporate and then burn relatively easily, increasing the rate of oil consumption. The molecules in synthetic oils are uniform, so they are less likely to evaporate and burn.

My car is only being used on the road - do I need a full synthetic oil?

It depends on the car. Certain manufacturers specify that oils must be synthetic to meet the warranty requirements, so by using a more basic oil, your warranty can be invalidated

If your car has a diesel particulate filter, all the oils that meet the ACEA C specifications are synthetic and by not using one of those, the filter will become blocked.

If a car requires a 0w-x grade of oil, then it must be a genuine synthetic oil as it is impossible to make an 0w viscosity oil from mineral oils.

Even in cars that do not need oil that meet the above criteria, most of the time a synthetic oil is a preferable option as they give better protection and last longer. This is very relevant in engines used on track.

Will using a certain oil help my engine to make more power?

When a top quality oil of the correct viscosity is used, a vehicle may actually have a higher power output at the wheels than with other oils. The 'gain' in power is actually a reduction of the power lost in the engine. Internal resistance due to pumping losses and viscous drag and friction is where power is lost and minimising those will lead to more efficient running. Using a good oil reduces the friction as well as increases the protection.

A common approach to lubricating a powerful engine is to use as thick an oil as is available, but that adds to the internal resistance as the engine has to work harder to move the oil. That can also lead to increased wear in the engine as the oil does not flow as well as the engine would like. Often an increase in the quality of the oil used rather than the viscosity will be sufficient for many modified cars and that will actually give better protection as well as a slightly increased power output.

What colour is oil?

Automotive oils are naturally clear, not the amber colour that people assume they are. The reason they are often amber coloured is due to a dye manufacturers add and is only added as people assume oils should be a certain colour.

There are many oils on the market that differ from the 'norm' and this is simply due to the addition of different coloured dyes. The dyes have no actual benefit to the oil, other than making it stand out as different to the rest.

Why does my oil turn black?

As well as lubricating an engine, another important feature of oil is that it cleans, removing combustion by-products from the engine and keeping them in suspension in the oil. This prevents the by-products from settling and building up as deposits in the engine.

Should I use an oil flush?

In the vast majority of cases, there is no need to flush the engine and flushing can be harmful. What can happen is the flush can loosen harmless deposits in the engine, but then not remove them. Your new oil goes in and after it gets warm and is flowing nicely, the bits which are loosened come off into the oil, so you end up with hard bits floating around in your oil - the last thing you want! If you really want to flush the oil system, the best thing you can do is drain out the oil that is in there, put in some basic mineral oil and run the car for a short while so the oil gets nice and warm. After running it, drain out the mineral oil and put in the correct oil.

What oil should I use to run in an engine?

A basic mineral oil should be used for running in as friction between the piston rings and cylinder linings is needed to allow the engine to bed in properly. If a synthetic oil is used, it prevents sufficient friction being generated and can lead to the bores becoming glazed. That causes a loss of power and increased oil consumption. We also sell specialist running in oil and trouble-shooting products to assist with running-in.

My garage recommends a brand of oil in my car, you recommend something different

So is our recommendation safe to use? Yes, absolutely. Garages often only stock one brand of oil, so they suggest that you should use that, but as we stock several brands, we often have something from a different manufacturer that will be as good if not better than the oil the garage uses.