VAG PD Engine Oil - whats so effing special about it?
Discussion
Had the A6 TDi serviced last week, and thought I'd just ask what oil I'd need to top it up as and when.
Was happily told that its a VAG specific 5W40 fully synthetic for the PD engines, and that the indy in question can do a pretty good deal on it.
So whats so special about it? Do the VAG nutters put the essence of vestal virgins in it to keep the engine properly lubricated? Distilled essence of government lies to keep the cogs turning? Or is it just an exercise to see how much they can scam from the public?
Was happily told that its a VAG specific 5W40 fully synthetic for the PD engines, and that the indy in question can do a pretty good deal on it.
So whats so special about it? Do the VAG nutters put the essence of vestal virgins in it to keep the engine properly lubricated? Distilled essence of government lies to keep the cogs turning? Or is it just an exercise to see how much they can scam from the public?
This might be of interest to you:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Whats the VW spec that the handbook says your car needs. 505.01 or 505.06 that sort of thing. Then do a search on it and I'm sure you'll find plenty of different brands available.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t...
Whats the VW spec that the handbook says your car needs. 505.01 or 505.06 that sort of thing. Then do a search on it and I'm sure you'll find plenty of different brands available.
Edited by Munter on Friday 15th May 13:37
In the USA, the Castrol SLX (made in Austria) oil for Touareg V10 diesels is (so far, and I'm looking) only available from VW dealers.
Our oil supplier, a Castrol distributor, can't supply.
I know of an under warranty, VW Passat with the 1.8T engine that had oil changes at a "fast lube" shop which had denied warranty for the engine failure after the oil was analyised by VW and deemed to be "incorrect" and a wrong type oil filter fitted. Cheap oil changes, $8000 engine repair.........
Our oil supplier, a Castrol distributor, can't supply.
I know of an under warranty, VW Passat with the 1.8T engine that had oil changes at a "fast lube" shop which had denied warranty for the engine failure after the oil was analyised by VW and deemed to be "incorrect" and a wrong type oil filter fitted. Cheap oil changes, $8000 engine repair.........
HellDiver said:
Supposed to be specially formulated to cope with the high stresses at the top end of the PD engines.
Try paying for 507.00 - that's the DPF compatible stuff. £45 trade for 4 litres of it, and my Lancer needs 4.5 litres every 12.5k.
Thats BTry paying for 507.00 - that's the DPF compatible stuff. £45 trade for 4 litres of it, and my Lancer needs 4.5 litres every 12.5k.
Edited by HellDiver on Friday 15th May 13:58
S TPS sell Qauntum LongLife III 507.00 for £24 + vat for 5 litres which is VW oil.D900SP said:
I know of an under warranty, VW Passat with the 1.8T engine that had oil changes at a "fast lube" shop which had denied warranty for the engine failure after the oil was analyised by VW and deemed to be "incorrect" and a wrong type oil filter fitted. Cheap oil changes, $8000 engine repair.........
VW can tell which oil is used as it contains a chemical "marker".Didn't VW replace loads of 1.8T engines in the US due to sludge build up?
Disco_Biscuit said:
HellDiver said:
Supposed to be specially formulated to cope with the high stresses at the top end of the PD engines.
Try paying for 507.00 - that's the DPF compatible stuff. £45 trade for 4 litres of it, and my Lancer needs 4.5 litres every 12.5k.
Thats BTry paying for 507.00 - that's the DPF compatible stuff. £45 trade for 4 litres of it, and my Lancer needs 4.5 litres every 12.5k.
Edited by HellDiver on Friday 15th May 13:58
S TPS sell Qauntum LongLife III 507.00 for £24 + vat for 5 litres which is VW oil.
The oil is expensive because it's 'longlife'. That means it stays in the car twice as long, but costs 5 times as much!
Parrot of Doom said:
Probably a low-ash oil - using the wrong oil can bugger up the particle filter. You don't need to use their oil, just any oil that meets the spec, which will be printed on the bottle and in the manual.
True, but virtually all synthetic oils, semi for fully, are low ash these days. Vauxhall use a 5W30 across virtually the whole range for cars on long life servicing, from 1.2 petrol engines to 2.0 turbo petrol engines and from piddly low blow 1.7 diesels to 1.3 CDTIs and 16v 1.9 CDTis. Even all Saab engines except high blow 'R' engines use it too. The oil is no different for cars with DPF filters where getting the DPF hot enough on a regular basis to burn off the crap if far more of an issue. Modern engines with all their technology, filtration systems and high pressure, high strain injection systems simply need a more sophisticated oil to ensure longetivity of components. Engine technology has advanced massively in the last 5 years and tolerances are tighter than ever, so suitable higher spec oils are needed. Oils that cost more to produce to the finished product.
PDs use a very high pressure injection system and certain components do take alot of strain, heat and pressure. Premature wearing of camshafts on PD150 engines is common. Whether or not this can be attributed to use of incorrect spec oils is debatable especially when running on low oil levels, even for very short periods, or how it has been driven and indeed how often it has been serviced is probably for more likely to be the culprit IMO.
Personally I am a sceptic of long life servicing using advanced oils. I don't question that the oils are able to withstand up to 20k between services as they are in say modern Renaults, short term anyway, but personally I service all my cars every year and change the oil on a 6 month basis, even if this means 3000 miles in my case. Anyone who has seen the colour and thickness of oil that comes out of cars on long life servicing will know where I am coming from.
Oil is THE most critical factor in engine longetivity. I'd spend the money and stick with the exact specification of oil that the manufacturer stipulates on modern engines, both petrol and diesel. But that said, I run my 10 year old BMW on GM 5w30 with no issues, and the jalopy on GM 10w40, again with no issues.
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