I'm a new member at BITOG, and a new owner of a used 2003 Jetta TDI (ALH 1.9l no DPF). I had a trusted import shop check the vehicle over and among other things hey changed the oil with Castrol Edge OE 5w-30. The oil is approved to API SM & CF, VW 502.00, 505.00 & 505.01, and ACEA C3, plus some other euro manufacturer's ratings.
Per my VW manual, the proper oil must be rated to the following "either singly or in combination with other designations": VW 502.00 or 500.00 or 505.01; ACEA B3 or B4; API CF-4 or CG-4. The manual also specifies SAE 5w-40 but then goes on to say "if engine oil grade 5w-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5w-30." There is no discussion in the manual of changing viscosity with ambient temperature, just based on availability of the preferred viscosity.
The servicing mechanic said the Castrol Edge OE (gold bottle) they used is VW's OEM oil. I haven't heard of it before. It meets the VW 505.00 spec, which I understand is the important one for ALH diesels. My questions are:
1. Is this oil any good, or at least worth the high cost? The previous owner used M1 TDT religiously and the engine is in great shape. I intend to use either TDT or Rotella T6 going forward, unless there is a compelling reason to use the Castrol Edge OE.
2. VW's viscosity spec of requiring 5w-40, unless it is unavailable and then allowing 5w-30, seems wishy-washy. Does anyone have experience of running these diesels on 5w-30? All other oils I'm finding for VWs requiring 505.00 are 5w-40. Should I shorten the OCI on the 5w-30 Castrol and get something heavier in there, or is it nothing to be concerned about, given VW's qualified approval?
Per my VW manual, the proper oil must be rated to the following "either singly or in combination with other designations": VW 502.00 or 500.00 or 505.01; ACEA B3 or B4; API CF-4 or CG-4. The manual also specifies SAE 5w-40 but then goes on to say "if engine oil grade 5w-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5w-30." There is no discussion in the manual of changing viscosity with ambient temperature, just based on availability of the preferred viscosity.
The servicing mechanic said the Castrol Edge OE (gold bottle) they used is VW's OEM oil. I haven't heard of it before. It meets the VW 505.00 spec, which I understand is the important one for ALH diesels. My questions are:
1. Is this oil any good, or at least worth the high cost? The previous owner used M1 TDT religiously and the engine is in great shape. I intend to use either TDT or Rotella T6 going forward, unless there is a compelling reason to use the Castrol Edge OE.
2. VW's viscosity spec of requiring 5w-40, unless it is unavailable and then allowing 5w-30, seems wishy-washy. Does anyone have experience of running these diesels on 5w-30? All other oils I'm finding for VWs requiring 505.00 are 5w-40. Should I shorten the OCI on the 5w-30 Castrol and get something heavier in there, or is it nothing to be concerned about, given VW's qualified approval?