What oil are VW dealers putting in your TDI engine?

[joel0407]

We could argue forever about this but Transporters post simplifies it so that most would understand.

Basically it doesnt hurt to use the 504-507 oil in any TDI engine except those he mentions.

This makes it nice and simple without going into years and models (which change midyear as well)

Far better to use a top spec Approved oil than think what you maybe can use and do it wrong.

I sort of agree and disagree with this. It's simple but I dont think the 507 oil is higher spec. It's different spec.

I'm far from an expert on this but I know that DPF spec oil is low or no sulfer oil. Sulfer is a lubricant that is either compensated for with other addatives to the oil or by using engine construction (materials or design) that needs less or differnt lubrication.

A few years ago, a higher spec oil meant better oil. These days it might not be better for the motor but better for the enviroment.

Oils ain't Oils.

Happy Days.

[Hillbilly]

You said that 505.00 is for engines without a DPF, but that is not strictly correct.

PD TDI and CR TDI engines without a DPF should be using 505.01 or 506.01 or 507.00



And then you said PD TDI engines are mostly relevant for Touareg owners, but that is also not strictly correct.

Many Polo, Golf, Jetta, Passat and Skoda owners (as well as many other models) would be very familiar with the PD TDI engine, most of which were not fitted with a DPF.

These owners should not be using 505.00 in their cars just because they're not fitted with a DPF.

Sometimes I wish my keyboard was broken

[Transporter]

I sort of agree and disagree with this. It's simple but I dont think the 507 oil is higher spec. It's different spec.I'm far from an expert on this but I know that DPF spec oil is low or no sulfer oil. Sulfer is a lubricant that is either compensated for with other addatives to the oil or by using engine construction (materials or design) that needs less or differnt lubrication.

A few years ago, a higher spec oil meant better oil. These days it might not be better for the motor but better for the enviroment.

Oils ain't Oils.

Happy Days.

At some point you have to trust to the engine manufacturer. So, when they specify that oil and preffer it, than it's the ideal oil for that engine and trying to use something else could cause the troubles.
The most failed early PD TDI engines are probably in the US, simply becouse they like to always use something else than what the manufacturer specify - many paid a lot more than what they've saved when their engine's valve train was wornout.

Also the emission devices fitted to the engine could have a shorter life with the alternative oils.

[Diesel_vert]

I sort of agree and disagree with this. It's simple but I dont think the 507 oil is higher spec. It's different spec.

I'm far from an expert on this but I know that DPF spec oil is low or no sulfer oil. Sulfer is a lubricant that is either compensated for with other addatives to the oil or by using engine construction (materials or design) that needs less or differnt lubrication.

A few years ago, a higher spec oil meant better oil. These days it might not be better for the motor but better for the enviroment.

Oils ain't Oils.

Happy Days.

504.00/507.00 is indeed a reduced-SAPS lubricant, SAPS being an acronym for Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous & Sulphur, and places limits these. But it is not an ash-free oil.

In terms of fuel, sulphur is an impurity and is not a lubricant per se. Rather, it's the refining process (the removal of sulphur from fuel) that reduces its lubricity, though this is restored with additives at the refinery. However, I'm not sure if this correlates with engine lubricants - I don't think it's much of an issue with synthetic oils.

With significant reductions in sulphur levels in diesel fuel, lubricants no longer need such a high TBN to combat (sulphuric) acid formation as they once did. Having said that, I would not use a reduced-SAPS lubricant unless I had the blessing of the vehicle or engine manufacturer.

Sometimes I wish my keyboard was broken

I'm calling you out on some of the information you've provided, which is incorrect and inaccurate. Nothing personal.

[kaanage]

maybe the muppet that did the receipt couldnt find the correct one in the computer.

I went and queried them last year after seeing the receipt (I didn't pick up the car either time) and they told me they hadn't updated their computer to the 'new' oil spec. It's actually 3 years running they've done this.

The recent receipt says Helix Ultra 5W-40 for $61.04 (exGST) but no quantity is listed - looks like I need to pursue it with them again

Turns out they put in the wrong code on the receipt (yet again) - the guy I spoke to said that as soon as I asked about the oil used for the service.

Unless you have reasons not to, I would strongly consider taking your elsewhere for future services.

We would but I bought one of those dealer extended warranties back when I didn't know what I was doing (ie before I got on to this forum )

[Hillbilly]

Turns out they put in the wrong code on the receipt (yet again) - the guy I spoke to said that as soon as I asked about the oil used for the service.

We would but I bought one of those dealer extended warranties back when I didn't know what I was doing (ie before I got on to this forum )

Well the thing to do is buy your own oil and get them to use it and nothing else You can buy Penrite Enviro+ 5W -30 VW 504-507 APPROVED oil at Supercrap for about $78 which is still cheaper than the Castrol that Dealers sell for that grade.

[kaanage]

I did vow to do that after the last instance but forgot in the aftermath of my crash

[Paul_OH]

I received the below in response to my query why Mobil Super S 10w-40 was on my invoice. It was mentioned earlier in the thread that it could have been a clerical error but it appears not to be:

Apologise for the late reply. In regards to the engine oil we used for service, we have always been using mobile 10w40 and this is with approval from Volkswagen Australia. We only use 5w30 engine oil for diesel engines. The reason we didn’t use 5w30 engine oil for petrol engines is due to the thin oil always cause the vehicle to use more oil and inconvenience customers to top up their oil between services.

If you prefer 5w30 engine oil to be used on your vehicle we can do it on the next service but normally we don’t normally recommend using such thin oil until your car is reach 25000km.

Looks like policy to me.....

[Diesel_vert]

In regards to the engine oil we used for service, we have always been using mobile 10w40 and this is with approval from Volkswagen Australia.

For Golf Mk5 with petrol engines:

Non-turbocharged 4 & 5-cylinder engines built before 2008 require a lubricant that is of VW 501.01 standard or better.

Everything else (4-cylinder TSI & TFSI engines, VR6 engines, non-turbo 4 & 5-cylinder petrol engines built after 2008 ) requires a lubricant that is of VW 502.00 standard or better.

VW 502.00 is a more stringent oil standard than VW 501.01 and is designed for harsher operating conditions.

...

Approved VW 501.01 oils with a viscosity grade of 10W-40 are available from many brands, including Mobil.

Approved VW 502.00 oils with a viscosity grade of 10W-40 are available from a few brands, such as Caltex Havoline Synthetic Blend 10W-40, Motul 6100 Synergie+ 10W-40 or Shell Helix HX7 10W-40, but none from Mobil at this point in time.

Approved VW 502.00 oils with a viscosity grade of 5W-40, 0W-40 or 5W-30 are more common.

Therefore, using any Mobil 10W-40 passenger car lubricant (which if approved by VW, will be a 501.01 oil) in a TSI engine is contrary to VW requirements, which may have implications for any future warranty claims related to the engine.

...

And for completeness sake, Golf Mk5 with diesel engines:

TDI engines without a DPF require a lubricant that is of VW 505.01 standard or better (VW 505.00 is not acceptable).

TDI engines with a DPF require a lubricant that is of VW 507.00 standard or better.

Looks like policy to me.....

It would appear that the workshop in question does not fully understand or comprehend VW engine oil requirements, as demonstrated by the use of a 501.01 oil in an engine where a 502.00 or 504.00 oil is required.

[Paul_OH]

It would appear that the workshop in question does not fully understand or comprehend VW engine oil requirements, as demonstrated by the use of a 501.01 oil in an engine where a 502.00 or 504.00 oil is required.

That is indeed the case, what I failed to mention is that this email was received from a VW Dealer in Perth.