I own a 2017 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0T CYMC. The placard under the hood says to use 502 or 504 oil. I believe my car was released during VW/Audi's transition to 504 oil. Audi has since switched from recommending 502/504 oil in 17-18 models to 504 only in 2019+ models, with no engine differences. The past several oil changes I've used Castrol Edge 0w-40, a full saps oil that seems to be highly regarded on here.
However, it is out of stock both online and in-store at Wal-Mart, which is where I usually have purchased a 5 quart jug for $20-30. I saw a couple other threads indicating a possible formulation change, which may be the reason it is out of stock ATM.
This led me down a rabbit-hole I've been down before... whether I should keep using 502, or switch to 504, and what the pros and cons are of each. My understanding is that all new Audis post-2019 use 504 spec oil, and if I brought it to the dealer they would probably use 504 for an oil change on my 2017. However, many sources say that although 504 is a newer specification, it isn't inherently better, as it was a lower saps oil first designed primarily for the EU market. It was said a few years ago that it may not be suitable for the North American market due to high sulfur content in our gasoline. Not sure if that is still the case, and it is hard to find any concrete information on this. VAG must think 504 is is now acceptable to use here, but it still begs the question of whether or not it is a better choice than the many readily-available and highly regarded 502 spec oils.
I always do 5k OCIs and use top-tier (Costco) gasoline. Carbon deposits are a concern (as is the case for any DI turbocharged VW engine).
I'm sure like many of us I am over-thinking this, and I'm not faithful to either specification - just want what's best for my car. Any advice is much appreciated!
However, it is out of stock both online and in-store at Wal-Mart, which is where I usually have purchased a 5 quart jug for $20-30. I saw a couple other threads indicating a possible formulation change, which may be the reason it is out of stock ATM.
This led me down a rabbit-hole I've been down before... whether I should keep using 502, or switch to 504, and what the pros and cons are of each. My understanding is that all new Audis post-2019 use 504 spec oil, and if I brought it to the dealer they would probably use 504 for an oil change on my 2017. However, many sources say that although 504 is a newer specification, it isn't inherently better, as it was a lower saps oil first designed primarily for the EU market. It was said a few years ago that it may not be suitable for the North American market due to high sulfur content in our gasoline. Not sure if that is still the case, and it is hard to find any concrete information on this. VAG must think 504 is is now acceptable to use here, but it still begs the question of whether or not it is a better choice than the many readily-available and highly regarded 502 spec oils.
I always do 5k OCIs and use top-tier (Costco) gasoline. Carbon deposits are a concern (as is the case for any DI turbocharged VW engine).
I'm sure like many of us I am over-thinking this, and I'm not faithful to either specification - just want what's best for my car. Any advice is much appreciated!