Polo GTI high oil consumption?

[gavs]

The uk says 502.... Could be different here though guess....

The question was more about a recommendation of oil brand.

Whatever mixes and meets the relevent VW standard, guys in the uk are using Shell Helix synthetic...

[brad]

Hey gavs, are you sure that it's VW Spec 502 which the new Polo GTI uses? I would have thought it was 504.00 of which you can always find the latest approved lists of oils here.

502.00 is fine for top-up & even as a fresh fill under "standard driving conditions & 15,000km service intervals". You can even go a lower spec (it's in the manual) but there are plenty of 502.00 oils out there these days. Of course, 504.00 has its' advantages over 502.00.

That list of oils is misleading for the Australian market. eg: It lists Castrol Edge Sport 5w-30 as being 504.00 but in Aus, the same label is only 502.00.

[Corey_R]

Hey guys, I just want to make this really clear....

Volkswagen publish a specification which lists the oil requirements for their motors. Currently the specification is the 504.00/507.00 oil specification. To the best of my knowledge, all current VAG motors use this spec. Certainly the 1.4TSI in the Golf uses this spec, as does my Golf R motor.

You must use an oil which complies to that specification else you risk voiding your engine warranty if you have issues. One of the things that a VW dealer is usually asked to do when performing engine warranty work (especially replacements) is to test the oil and fuel.

DO NOT take random forum peoples word for what oil you should be using (such as that link that gavs provided to the UK boys). Look up the details yourself and ENSURE you are using a compliant oil.

Steps:
1) Please check your owners manual to confirm that the oil specification applicable to your car is VAG 504.00/507.00
2) Refer to this link where Transporter updates the link to the latest VAG listing of compliant oils via their official erWin site.
3) Find the oil of your preference on this list
4) Ensure at time of purchase that you are getting SPECIFICALLY the correct oil "model and type" you require. What I mean by this is you can't just use any "Shell Helix Synthetic" oil. You MUST USE one of the 4 Shell Helix options from the VAG list.
5) Compliance with VW 504.00/507.00 will usually be stated on the actual oil bottle and/or website for the oil itself. E.g. Liqui-Moly Top Tech 4200 | 5W-30 or Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W-30

Hope that helps

[brad]

Corey
I'll say it again. The erwin list is Euro-centric. There are oils in that list that have exactly the same label as Australian marketed oils & the Australian oils are not 504/507 approved. Therefore i think that point 3 is incorrect & your point 4 is far more important (read the label & look for the spec).

Personally, as this is an internet forum, I think the first thing a person should do is visit their favourite oil manufacturers website & use the netlube/lubeguide feature & then read the Technical Data Sheet for the recomended oil. The TDS will tell you what VW specs it complies with.

In addition, 504.00 is not the minimum or only allowable spec listed in the owners manual. I'd post a scan from mine but I'm about to bugger off from the computer for the day. i'll do it tonight if i get a chance.

Just to satisfy my curiosity as to what may have changed, would you be able to post a scan of the applicable page out of your handbook please?
Also, if one of the Polo GTI owners could do the same?

Thanks

[Gambit]

hum thanks for the tip i will check it out and keep an eye on oil levels.

[break]

I wonder whether the people with the oil issues are babying the car during the "break in period", or waiting until it warms up (the oil, not the water) and then driving it enthusiastically (as you normally would)?

My observation is that the people who baby the cars during break in have high oil usage. The people who floor the gas as soon as they get it don't (not literally straight out of the dealer's drive away, but 10 minutes later once the engine oil is up to normal operating temp).

My observation too.

To get a good seal on the piston rings the car needs to be driven (once oil is at full operating temperature) at full throttle through the full rev range during the break-in period, contrasting the manufacturers recommendations.

Edit: Read this to get a good overview of why and how this needs to be done: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[gavs]

Thanks break, I was looking for that link to bookmark it!

[Coolio]

Guys guys guys....all this talk about winding the polo out to the redline and i have to wait till January...come on!

[break]

Guys guys guys....all this talk about winding the polo out to the redline and i have to wait till January...come on!

The brightside is now you're informed on how to bed the piston rings in properly though... and it's going to be a fun process for you

[h100vw]

You don't need to wind it off the clock, just put it under load. Some nice long hills would be great. Slow down as much as you can in 3rd and then give it some and repeat.
Keep an eye on the temps.

Gavin