What oil for the R36

[Lance B]

Each to there own but, for me, I will only ever use the recommended oil and I don't care about the extra $20 mark-up.
Much better than giving VW an excuse to refuse warranty, not that I'm sayimg they would but this was used as a major excuse by Audi on my A4 and it cost me $13k.
My last car was sold, serviced exactly to spec (right down to the replacement tyres) so there were absolutely no excuses in case of an issue and, besides, who am I to think I know better than the engineers who built this thing? (and therefore specced the appropriate oil) I don't believe for one second it's "buy the cheapest to make the most profit' as they wouldn't risk the warranty claims. My 2c.

By law, Audi *cannot* refute warranty if the oil you used is the same spec as what is recommended in the handbook. If the handbook states that 5W30 semi or full synthetic to API/ACEA/MB/VW/BMW/Ford or whatever, they *cannot* refute warranty.

As for oil specs, a good quality synthetic that meets all the requirements laid down by VW would be as good or better than that specified. Diester based synthetic oil is supposed to be the best and dearest and I would guarantee that it would be better then the VW recommended semi/full synthetic. Engines are *not* that fickle that they require such a specific blend.

In your case above, one would wonder how they could refute warranty if you did what you said you did in that you had it serviced as per the handbook. I would say that you have a great case against them.

[GHW]

Hi Lance,
like everything there's more to the story but I don't want to revisit it and in hindsight shouldn't have taken the op for a whinge, apologies all.
My point is that I don't get why ppl purchase a new vehicle then insist on changing everything right down to the oil? really, what gains can be had by changing the factory spec oil? or am I missing something? maybe I'm just showing my age

[Lance B]

Hi Lance,
like everything there's more to the story but I don't want to revisit it and in hindsight shouldn't have taken the op for a whinge, apologies all.
My point is that I don't get why ppl purchase a new vehicle then insist on changing everything right down to the oil? really, what gains can be had by changing the factory spec oil? or am I missing something? maybe I'm just showing my age

I don't disagree. All I am saying is that if you need to top up your oil, then an oil which meets or exceeds the spec laid down in the handbook will be fine and will not void your warranty.

Also, there are oils which are better specified than that laid down in the handbook, like the diester based synthetic oils which some people may find attractive in the belief that they think it will do the engine better. I used to use these diester based synthetic oils in previous cars, due to the fact that the specified oil and used was crap mineral oil, and they were excellent giving better power and economy. However, the oil specified for the R36 is a reasonably top grade oil anyway and I would see little benefit in "upgading" due to the extra cost of the "better" oil.

[Transporter]

I don't disagree. All I am saying is that if you need to top up your oil, then an oil which meets or exceeds the spec laid down in the handbook will be fine and will not void your warranty.

Also, there are oils which are better specified than that laid down in the handbook, like the diester based synthetic oils which some people may find attractive in the belief that they think it will do the engine better. I used to use these diester based synthetic oils in previous cars, due to the fact that the specified oil and used was crap mineral oil, and they were excellent giving better power and economy. However, the oil specified for the R36 is a reasonably top grade oil anyway and I would see little benefit in "upgading" due to the extra cost of the "better" oil.

Meets or exceeds doesn't mean " VW APPROVED".
If the oil would be VW approved they would put it on the label (Approved by VW.....)

[Lance B]

Meets or exceeds doesn't mean " VW APPROVED".
If the oil would be VW approved they would put it on the label (Approved by VW.....)

Not necessarily. It doesn't have to be approved by VW for it to meet or exceed it's specification. There are *many* oils that meet or exceed VW's specification which means that they can be safely used in their engines.

The *law* states that if the oil meets or exceeds that specified by the manufacturer, then they *cannot* refute warranty.

[Transporter]

Not necessarily. It doesn't have to be approved by VW for it to meet or exceed it's specification. There are *many* oils that meet or exceed VW's specification which means that they can be safely used in their engines.

The *law* states that if the oil meets or exceeds that specified by the manufacturer, then they *cannot* refute warranty.

Then you will be taking your engine's warranty to the oil company that is saying that oil meets particular specs not the VW dealer for the repairs.

Here is an example:
I will make my own oil put the sticker on it that will say "meets and exceeds VW specs" you buy it and your engine will suffer the damage than you go to VW dealer demanding the engine to be repaired by the warranty what do you think will follow?
I hope that explains.

[Rocket36]

Jesus! This isn't rocket science.

The engine is designed to run on a certain TYPE of oil. I can't remember exactly what type that is, but it's in the manual. For argument's sake let's say it's 5W40. That means you can quite safely use ANY 5W40 oil. Doesn't matter the brand, and your warranty will be fine.

Personally, I use the oil specifically engineered for the VW engines. At least according to my dealer. Changed the initial run-in oil (which is a specific run-in oil) at 1500km and will be changing the oil for the life of the car (while I own it) at 5000km intervals. Dealer charges me $130 for oil, filter and labour, uses the oil designed for and recommended by VW and gives me 100% peace of mind and 100% warranty coverage.

[Lance B]

Then you will be taking your engine's warranty to the oil company that is saying that oil meets particular specs not the VW dealer for the repairs.

Here is an example:
I will make my own oil put the sticker on it that will say "meets and exceeds VW specs" you buy it and your engine will suffer the damage than you go to VW dealer demanding the engine to be repaired by the warranty what do you think will follow?
I hope that explains.

You can't be serious. For me to make that claim, I would have to have proof that it meets that standard, just like any drug company, food stuff manufacturer, fuel manufacturer, oil manufacturer, car manufacturer, cable manufacturer, medical equipment manufacturer etc, etc. You cannot just manufacture something and then claim that it meets a standard without actually doing the tests. These companies have to show test reports which are show that the oils are tested by independent test laboratories/authorities, like NATA, MILSPEC, or whomever.

These oil companies have their oil checked to meet the specs they advertise, otherwise it is false advertising and they would be in big trouble.

The onus is on VW to prove that the oils was the reason for the failure, and then they would have to prove that it was the oil not meeting their standards/specs. The onus is not up to you as all you have to do is show them the oil you used and as long as it meets the standards, ie API, ACEA, VW etc, then VW has to prove that it was the oil that caused the failure.

VW cannot make you use a specific brand of oil in the same way as they cannot make you use a specific brand of fuel.

Get it from them in writing and post it here.
Alternatively have a look in your vehicle owner's manual.
For minor top ups you should be fine for complete oil change no.

For the R36, the oil quoted in the manual states that the oil must meet the VW standard of VW 504 00. All this means is that VW have a standard and they call it VW 504 00. It is not rocket science, as Rocket36 so aptly put it, and all it means is that it is another type of standard, just like API, ACEA, MIL Spec, UL, etc.

You also seem to forget that oils are manufactured to a certain standard by some companies and that the standard that they use may in fact encompass many other standards inside those parameters and therefore they can state that it meets many standards, not just the one that they originally made it to.

Full synthetic oils are generally so good that they far and away out perform any car manufacturers requirements because most of these requirements are for standard mineral oils or semi synthetics. In fact, many synthetic oil companies recommend that you do not put these oils in your car until they have fully run-in as these oils are so low in friction that they may not allow the engine to bed in correctly. They state that this will not affect the engine other than that it may affect economy and/or performance.

My company sells specialist cables and some of it is made to Australian Standards, some to MIL Spec and other cables to other specs, and it is stated in the cable's specs that it meets those standards. Some of these cables are made to an Australian Spec, some to other specs, but the specific spec also allows the cable to also encompass other specs from other parts of the world or other companies requirements.