Factory oil specification EA888 Gen4

[gerhard]

The oil spec for our EA888.4 engines is 0W-30.

I don't think that is a good spec for longevity in Australia's temperatures or most people's usage patterns which are severe by most user manual definitions.

What do you reckon?

Should we be using 5W-30 or 5W-40 when summer temperatures hit 40+ degrees? 0w has no ability to cool an engine when operating in such temperatures, especially if using the engines potential....

[Lucas_R]

The 0w-30 will be to achieve the lower fuel consumption and co2 figures and to accomodate for the sub-zero temperatures in some countries.

Definitely go for a 5w-30 or a 10w-30 if you can one in the correct VW50x spec. Also would advise to half the manufacturers recommended service intervals if you want the car to last a long time (eg instead of a 15,000km interval, go for somewhere between 7,500-10,000km)

The brand new VAG cars are 0w-20 in the VW508/509 spec.

Some new Japanese cars use 0w-16 or 0w-8 oil which is insane.

[gerhard]

The 0w-30 will be to achieve the fuel consumption figures and to accomodate for the sub-zero temperatures in some countries.

Definitely go for a 5w-30 or a 10w-30 if you can one in the correct VW50x spec. Also would advise to half the manufacturers recommended service intervals if you want the car to last a long time (eg instead of a 15,000km interval, go for somewhere between 7,500-10,000km)

The brand new VAG cars are 0w-20 in the VW508/509 spec.

Some new Japanese cars use 0w-16 or 0w-8 oil which is insane.

Thanks for the info. I saw today where the LC300 is running bearings and their oil spec is 0W-20.

I have a 3 year service pack that came with my car, so I will now plan to dump the dealer oil after service and fill with 5W30. I don't do more than 5-8000ks per year so won't need intermediate change.

[Lucas_R]

From a quick Google, if your oil spec is VW508/509 then its only available in a 0w-20 oil weight. The well known brand Liqui-Moly is ludicrously expensive too as per the 2nd link.

Do Australian spec cars have a petrol particulate filter (PPF)? If they do then you will have to run the correct oil. If you do not have a PPF then it will be fine to run the older VW504/507 spec oils which is available in a 5w-30 and a good deal cheaper to buy.

Synplus 508/509 0W20 - Hi-Tec Oils – Universal Auto Spares

LIQUI MOLY - Top Tec 6200 0W-20 (5L) - Engine Oil - Volkswagen 508/509– VAGPARTS Australia

[gerhard]

From a quick Google, if your oil spec is VW508/509 then its only available in a 0w-20 oil weight. The well known brand Liqui-Moly is ludicrously expensive too as per the 2nd link.

Do Australian spec cars have a petrol particulate filter (PPF)? If they do then you will have to run the correct oil. If you do not have a PPF then it will be fine to run the older VW504/507 spec oils which is available in a 5w-30 and a good deal cheaper to buy.

Synplus 508/509 0W20 - Hi-Tec Oils – Universal Auto Spares

LIQUI MOLY - Top Tec 6200 0W-20 (5L) - Engine Oil - Volkswagen 508/509– VAGPARTS Australia

Mine does have a PPF but the oil sticker is 0W-30 504/507. I expect 5W-30 in 504./507 should be OK?

[Lucas_R]

Thanks for the info. I saw today where the LC300 is running bearings and their oil spec is 0W-20.

I have a 3 year service pack that came with my car, so I will now plan to dump the dealer oil after service and fill with 5W30. I don't do more than 5-8000ks per year so won't need intermediate change.

Mine does have a PPF but the oil sticker is 0W-30 504/507. I expect 5W-30 in 504./507 should be OK?

Yes ive heard that they are having issues with the V6 engine in the new Landcruisers - I havent looked into it at all but the oil spec might be partly to blame?? It's just too thin.

If your car is requesting for 504/507 oil then yes you can use 5w-30 in it no problems. This is what i use in my Audi SQ5 and also used to use in my Mk7 GTI with EA888 Gen3 engine. This is the oil that I use (buy it when its on sale which is quite often) but no matter which brand you prefer, they all offer a 5w-30 in the VW504/507 spec.

Perhaps have a chat to the VW dealer when you take it in for a service. They might use 5w-30 anyway knowing that 0w-30 isn't really suitable in our climate. Or you can ask if you can provide your own bottle of oil for them to use (i used to do this years ago when I had my Mk6 R) and they give back the bottle with just a little bit left in it. Then you know its got the correct oil in it and you know what brand etc.

[gerhard]

Yes ive heard that they are having issues with the V6 engine in the new Landcruisers - I havent looked into it at all but the oil spec might be partly to blame?? It's just too thin.

If your car is requesting for 504/507 oil then yes you can use 5w-30 in it no problems. This is what i use in my Audi SQ5 and also used to use in my Mk7 GTI with EA888 Gen3 engine. This is the oil that I use (buy it when its on sale which is quite often) but no matter which brand you prefer, they all offer a 5w-30 in the VW504/507 spec.

Perhaps have a chat to the VW dealer when you take it in for a service. They might use 5w-30 anyway knowing that 0w-30 isn't really suitable in our climate. Or you can ask if you can provide your own bottle of oil for them to use (i used to do this years ago when I had my Mk6 R) and they give back the bottle with just a little bit left in it. Then you know its got the correct oil in it and you know what brand etc.

Good idea on checking with the service tech. I did buy a bottle of the Nulon Euro 5W for top-ups. I always used Penrite Enviro+ in my GTI, as it was a very early brand that met VW502 spec at the time.

[petemac110]

Mine does have a PPF but the oil sticker is 0W-30 504/507. I expect 5W-30 in 504./507 should be OK?

It would be worth double-checking whether or not Nulon's response is correct.

In addition to specifying a spec (504/507) the user manual typically specifies a range of weights that can be used in different conditions, provided the spec is met.

If so, is 5W30 on that list?

[gerhard]

It would be worth double-checking whether or not Nulon's response is correct.

In addition to specifying a spec (504/507) the user manual typically specifies a range of weights that can be used in different conditions, provided the spec is met.

If so, is 5W30 on that list?

There is not traditional oil table in the user manual showing different grades/viscosities for different temperatures, severe/no-sever operating like we are accustomed to seeing for our lives up till now

From the manual for my vehicle -

Paraphrased "Use the oil stated on the sticker, because wrong oil can affect exhaust purification systems, and in the Australian supplement wrong oil can void your warranty."

Quote "If you do not have access to engine oil that complies with the prescribed standard, in an emergency you may top up with .5L of the following oils once before the next regular oil change

Petrol engines: standards VW504 00 and ACEA C3 ACEA C4 or API SP or ILSAC GF-6A, all viscosity grades of these standards are permitted." end quote.

So 1/2 Litre top up allowed. Again this seems to be pretty strict compared to the past engines, but I guess that if a PPF is ruined by using wrong oil and too much short driving it will be an expensive thing to replace.

[petemac110]

There is not traditional oil table in the user manual showing different grades/viscosities for different temperatures, severe/no-sever operating like we are accustomed to seeing for our lives up till now

From the manual for my vehicle -

Paraphrased "Use the oil stated on the sticker, because wrong oil can affect exhaust purification systems, and in the Australian supplement wrong oil can void your warranty."

Quote "If you do not have access to engine oil that complies with the prescribed standard, in an emergency you may top up with .5L of the following oils once before the next regular oil change

Petrol engines: standards VW504 00 and ACEA C3 ACEA C4 or API SP or ILSAC GF-6A, all viscosity grades of these standards are permitted." end quote.

So 1/2 Litre top up allowed. Again this seems to be pretty strict compared to the past engines, but I guess that if a PPF is ruined by using wrong oil and too much short driving it will be an expensive thing to replace.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification. As you say, definitely strict compared to previous models!