Engine Oil Discussion

[sci_fianime]

If you're concerned about fluctuating tyre pressures as the seasons change then one solution would be to use nitrogen. Many people use it as it is not as suseptable to temperature change so it maintains the tyre pressure at a far more constant level. If you've ever seen a car on the road with red valve caps it because they're running nitrogen. I use to run it in my Clio Sport and only ever got an increase of 1 PSI on a stinking hot day after some hard driving.

Where can I find a nitrogen pump in Sydney? How much for a fill / top-up?

Used to use nitrogen when overseas - one time cost when replacing the tyre and free top-ups for life... tyres ran cooler with more stable and consistent pressure...

[3Putt]

Sorry Gerhard, but I really DID have a fight with the Minister for Recreation and Finance today, so here goes...

I used the term 'my friend' not in the literal sense, but in the 'headmaster berating the insolent student' sense.

I started the thread on the topic of oil consumption - someone else drifted to tyre pressures, so my reason for posting here remains valid IMHO.

Now that u mention it, i do recall some discussion on oil consumption in new VW's. Maybe that was your one constructive point in your first post. Note to Jayse - maybe your car is A OK afterall.

Once again, the topic of oil consumption was not the reason for me starting this thread. I was more concerned with whether Passat owners were changing their oil more often than once every 15000km/12mths, and if so, what were they using.

Cool, i feel much better now. This venting thing really does work!

[gerhard]

Can be very cathartic

There are many theories on oil change interval, many people are uneasy with 1 year or 15000ks. Just as well VW decided not to use long sevice life intervals in AU, as these can go out to 30,000k on some vehicles.

I have in the past totally neglected my VL oil changes to the extent that the oil was like diff oil - Then junior took the car over and we gave it an oil change and he thrashed it mercilessly as they do, and it didn't have a single noise or blow a puff of smoke. Go figure. Sold at 240,000k with the engine as sweet as.

My Jackaroo which I purchased new 10.5 years ago got oil changes every 10,000k, which is the recommended interval for that engine. 156,000k now, and not a noise or a puff of smoke, tappets done at 150,000k and only 4 slightly out. This indicates lubrication good. Penrite oils used, currently using HPR10 in it.

The GTI is coming up to 6 months and currently 6000ks, has had a free top up of 1/2 litre and is down just under 1/ litre again, so 1 litre in 6mths and 6000ks. This is quite OK. I love checking it, it gives me a chance to admire the engine bay.

I'm going to give it an oil/filter change next weekend (6 months) and it's getting Penrite Enviro+ 5W-30 which has full VW 504/507 approval. Exceeds the requirements of the GTI engine but at $65 for 5 litres it's OK. I could also use Penrite HPR5 at around $40 as it meets the GTI requirement.

Penrite recommends HPR5 for your vehicle, 10,000k or 12 months interval.

There are many other suitable oils of course, but I like to support the Aussie one even though the car isn't an Aussie car .......

[3Putt]

Thanks for the info on Penrite oils. I had no idea you could go to a motor oil company's website and get a recommendation on which oil to use.

See how useful these forums can be!

So Gerhard, you go one up from the VW recommended oil or the Penrite recommended oil?

[gerhard]

The Penrite recommendation for the GTI is HPR5 for normal service interval 15000/12 months, and Enviro+ 5W-30 for extended service interval 30,000k/24 months. HPR5 is VW502 spec and the Enviro+ 5W-30 is VW504/507 approved. The GTI only needs VW502.

That's set me thinking - since I have a 20 litre drum of HPR5 in the garage I might use it for the interim oil change and keep the Enviro+ for the 12 month one. After that I don't plan on doing interim changes, it's only for the first period from brand new.

[Autopia]

Where can I find a nitrogen pump in Sydney? How much for a fill / top-up?

Used to use nitrogen when overseas - one time cost when replacing the tyre and free top-ups for life... tyres ran cooler with more stable and consistent pressure...

Got my done at my local Bob Jane T-Mart when I swapped out my standard rubber. Never had to top it up.