Oil for 2000 Passat?

[Mark_S]

I have a coworker who is soon getting married. His fiance has a 2000 VW Passat. He doesn't know the engine, but he knows it requires 5W40. The dealer charges his finace $80 for an oil/filter change. He doesn't know what kind of oil or filter the dealer uses.

I have told him we can change the oil/filter for less than half that, and probably be using a better oil and filter. His fiance lives about 3 miles from work. She knows little about vehicles, other than they run out of gas if you don't put some in. My first thought for oil is Rotella 5W40 with a PurOne filter and change every 5,000 miles, maybe more, but I doubt she would approve (she believes she is getting the "best" from the dealer).

I have no experience with VW's, or which oils would be preferred, and that is my question.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Quattro Pete]

The safest bet would be to use an oil that meets the VW 502.00 spec, so Mobil1 0w-40 for example. However, I don't envision any problems with Rotella T 5w-40 either, despite it not carrying the 502.00 certification.

As for filters, I would stick with OEM. You can find them on line at good prices.

Short commute is actually quite hard on the engine/oil, because excessive water condensation (and fuel dilution) occurs and doesn't have a chance to burn off, so you should be changing the oil sooner rather than later. Say she puts on 50 miles per week... that means it'll take her 100 weeks to reach 5k miles... If that's the case, I'd probably stick to annual oil changes.

 

[FowVay]

You can mail order the filters for about $6,00 each, P/N 068 115 561 B and you can buy the 502.00 spec 5W-40 oil from many local stores for about $6,00 per quart (eg: Castrol Syntec 5W-40).

The car takes about 4,5 quarts so you'll need to buy 5.

$30 for oil and $6 for a filter puts you nicely below the 50% price from the dealership.

 

[Johnny]

Do you know if it has the V-6 engine? I agree with using the OEM filters as they are extremely good. Have your friend try and find out what oil they are using. Not only brand, but the weight. I know a lot of VW dealers that are using 5w30 oils because they are a multiline dealer. You know, one size fits all.

 

[Familyguy]

I'd use Mobil1 0W-40 or any other quality 5W-40 synthetic oil. You can get Rotella 5W-40 synth at Walmart for under $20 for 5qts. The OEM Mann or Mahle filters are easy to get and not so expensive. With those ingredients you're good to go (conservatively) for 7500mile oil change intervals or 10-12K miles if you're feeling frisky.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Familyguy
You can get Rotella 5W-40 synth at Walmart for under $20 for 5qts.

It's actually a 4qt jug (1 gallon) that's $19, AFAIK.

 

[Familyguy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Familyguy
You can get Rotella 5W-40 synth at Walmart for under $20 for 5qts.

It's actually a 4qt jug (1 gallon) that's $19, AFAIK.


It is? I didn't look too closely...my bad.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Familyguy
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Familyguy
You can get Rotella 5W-40 synth at Walmart for under $20 for 5qts.

It's actually a 4qt jug (1 gallon) that's $19, AFAIK.


It is? I didn't look too closely...my bad.

That's what I've been trying to tell you...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1631848/

 

[Familyguy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Familyguy
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Familyguy
You can get Rotella 5W-40 synth at Walmart for under $20 for 5qts.

It's actually a 4qt jug (1 gallon) that's $19, AFAIK.


It is? I didn't look too closely...my bad.

That's what I've been trying to tell you...

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1631848/

Wine....the great equalizer.

 

[Audi Junkie]

The V6 will run on anything.

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 for instance.

1.8t? Pennzoil Platinum, again.