Castrol Edge Sport

[Finance_Analyst]

On this topic, my understanding that 504 is only relevant for those who stretch their service intervals out longer (hence reference to 'long life').

Given that most of us do it shorter (7,500km or 6 months), 502 is ample which is the off the shelf Castrol stuff.

[Diesel_vert]

On this topic, my understanding that 504 is only relevant for those who stretch their service intervals out longer (hence reference to 'long life').

Given that most of us do it shorter (7,500km or 6 months), 502 is ample which is the off the shelf Castrol stuff.

For vehicles on the variable service regime, the use of an approved 504 oil is mandatory.

For vehicles on the fixed service regime, the use of an approved 502 oil is mandatory, but one may still use a 504 oil if they wish.

[Finance_Analyst]

Just came back from Repco (as it is 20% off today) and managed to score Shell Helix 5W-30 motor oil, which is VW 504 rated. Not many off the shelf oils are rated 504 from what I saw. The guy at Repco reckons the Shell is better than Castrol - even Mobil 1 5W-30 isn't rated 502 or 504.

Anyway the Shell Helix came out to $56 after discount so bargain.

[gavs]

Mobil 1 0W-40 is 502 rated. Weird that the 5W-30 isn't.

[Diesel_vert]

Mobil 1 0W-40 is 502 rated. Weird that the 5W-30 isn't.

Mobil 1 5W-30

and

Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30

are two very different oils, which are formulated to meet totally different OEM specifications and service requirements.


Mobil 1 0W-40 actually has more in common with M1 5W-30 ESP, in regards for its intended market (European vehicles). Even it's viscosity specifications more closely match. But unlike M1 5W-30 ESP, it's a full-SAPS oil.

[Transporter]

On this topic, my understanding that 504 is only relevant for those who stretch their service intervals out longer (hence reference to 'long life').

Given that most of us do it shorter (7,500km or 6 months), 502 is ample which is the off the shelf Castrol stuff.

Yeh, you would be just complying with the MINIMUM factory requirements for some engines. It's all good when you don't want to keep your car for long time, (sell it when the warranty runs out). Comparing to the price of the new car, I don’t know if the saving of $20.00 once a year would be worth it.

[Finance_Analyst]

Yeh, you would be just complying with the MINIMUM factory requirements for some engines. It's all good when you don't want to keep your car for long time, (sell it when the warranty runs out). Comparing to the price of the new car, I don’t know if the saving of $20.00 once a year would be worth it.

Of course I am no mechanic so I'd defer to your better judgement on this one.

But from my reading, isn't 504 made for long life - so that people who want to drive BEYOND the 15,000km/1 yr interval can do so? In that case, 502 is not sufficient. But for the most of us, if we change well within that range (5,000km/6 mths) 502 or 504 would suffice as the benefits of 504 (which I thought was only long life use) would be redundant... Given how rare 504 oil is to buy off the shelf (even the $100 Mobil 1 0-40W is 502) and that Oz conditions are not recommended by VW for long life intervals, 502 would be sufficient (or else VW wouldn't say so)

[Transporter]

Of course I am no mechanic so I'd defer to your better judgement on this one.

But from my reading, isn't 504 made for long life - so that people who want to drive BEYOND the 15,000km/1 yr interval can do so? In that case, 502 is not sufficient. But for the most of us, if we change well within that range (5,000km/6 mths) 502 or 504 would suffice as the benefits of 504 (which I thought was only long life use) would be redundant... Given how rare 504 oil is to buy off the shelf (even the $100 Mobil 1 0-40W is 502) and that Oz conditions are not recommended by VW for long life intervals, 502 would be sufficient (or else VW wouldn't say so)

The short answer to your question is that, you should always use the highest specs oil for your engine. It will keep the engine clean on the inside and with less wear, so it stays in the peak condition for longest possible time. When VW tests the oil before they approve it for VW504.00/507.00 they put the oil through the different testing conditions than 502.00 .
But hey as I said if you keep your car for short time then you may never see any benefit.

The engine that is running on the clean oil will have less deposits in the top piston rings groves, resulting in a better performance, better fuel economy and less blow by gases in the engine oil sump. The oil additives in the oil will last longer keeping the engine clean and reliable.

[Finance_Analyst]

The short answer to your question is that, you should always use the highest specs oil for your engine. It will keep the engine clean on the inside and with less wear, so it stays in the peak condition for longest possible time. When VW tests the oil before they approve it for VW504.00/507.00 they put the oil through the different testing conditions than 502.00 .
But hey as I said if you keep your car for short time then you may never see any benefit.

The engine that is running on the clean oil will have less deposits in the top piston rings groves, resulting in a better performance, better fuel economy and less blow by gases in the engine oil sump. The oil additives in the oil will last longer keeping the engine clean and reliable.

Thanks mate. I do plan on keeping it for a while so I will go back to 504 in future. I have two lots of 504 Shell Helix anyway so all good! I just wonder why 504 oil is so hard to get off the shelf - is that like commercial grade only for Castrol and Mobil?

At least this 502 Castrol is only there till June when I service it again.

[Diesel_vert]

I just wonder why 504 oil is so hard to get off the shelf - is that like commercial grade only for Castrol and Mobil?

I believe that is solely to do with the distributor of the lubricant manufacturer for each region or country.

You will find many lubricants in Europe that are not sold in Australia due to what I imagine is a different supply and demand situation.

For example in Europe, you would expect to see a wide variety of 504/507 approved oils from different brands on supermarket shelves, where probably every 3rd passenger vehicle on the road over there is a Volkswagen.

That is obviously not the case in Australia, where Volkswagen (whilst fast on the rise) is still comparatively uncommon here, so having a bunch of oils specific to VW in dinky 1L or 5L bottles taking up retail space wouldn't be at all justified.

Hence why many 504/507 oils are sold to dealerships in bulk drums, where they are the only ones which generate enough turnover to actually justify having it in Australia.

However in Sydney at least, I've seen Liqui-Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 and Penrite Enviro+ 5W-30 at Autobarn. You can also mail order Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 here (link) and here (link). I'm sure you could also get Castrol EDGE Professional Longlife III 5W-30 or Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30 from your local Audi, Skoda or VW dealer.