Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by TWsVW
The manual says every 10k miles, if I'm using the right oil? I just don't understand the differences between the manual (VW 502 00) and the factory advisory sticker (VW 504 00). VW 502 00 oils seem to be the norm, but VW 504 00 seems to provide better wear protection. 0W-30 is specified in both the manual and the advisory sticker, but I haven't seen any 0W-30's that are VW 504 00 approved (all seem to be 5W-30). The manual says that the factory filled was SAE 0W-30, so I think I'll just go with Castrol EDGE 0W-30 A3/B4 (VW 502 00) on the new engine for now and have the oil analyzed at some point. Just wish VW would clear-up the confusion...there are some Technical Bulletins out there for the Atlas, but I just don't have access:
2052987/1 17-18-02TT - Engine Oil Type and Viscosity Change for New Model Year
2012855/19 17-18-05 - Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards (U.S. Only)
TW
OK, again, your Atlas DID NOT come with 0W30 oil. It is VW's usual mistake in manual. Welcome to the club, it is ongoing affair since 1997!
There was a time when Audi S4 was coming with 0W30 oil, and I think that ended up in Atlas manual.
You need VW502.00 oil! That is it. ANY oil with that approval will do it, whether it is 0W30, 5W30, 0W40 or 5W40 or even some 10W40. On top of that, VR6 is not that demanding.
Get Castrol 0W40 or Mobil1 0W40 FS in Wal Mart. Both are APPROVED by VW for using in engines requiring VW502.00 oils.
Castrol 0W30 is same oil basically as 0W40 except few minor chemistry details. You do not need it and you are wasting money. VW acknowledge confusion in manual in VW Atlas.
Agree. Oiling this VW shouldn't be that difficult. A spec 0W-40 or 5W-40 will do it. Just like in my son's Sportwagen, even Costco stocks a M1 Euro oil that'll work in that VW.