2.5 5 cyl inline vw jetta---oil change???

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At the price my local vw dealer gets to do my daughters car for an oil change, I figure I can do it cheaper, surely someone on this forum has the 2.5L 5 cyl gas engine and can recommend the correct SYN oil to use? The dealership gest like $80 to do this service!!!
 
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There are a lot of oils that would work well, mostly any 5w-40. For now, stick with one that carries the VW specs, VW502 is sufficient. In my book that means German Syntec 0w-30 from AutoZone or PepBoys. AutoZone has a good filter for it too, Mobil 1 #3500.

The only other oil I'd mess with is Mobil 1 5w-40 Turbo Diesel Truck, easiest to get at WalMart, but there is no filter there for it though. You need the bigger VW Audi filters or maybe yours is actually in a canister???.

If price is a concern, Rotella Synth 5w-40 is there too, about $16/g.
 
Todd,

Get out the owner's manual and look up the VW recommendations. If you don't have the manual, look for an oil that meets the VW test requirements. It will look something like this: VW Spec 502.xx, etc.. If it doesn't say that then look for an oil that is ACEA A2/A3 qualified. Its likely you are going to find that these qualifications are only found in a 5W-40 grade synthetic.

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 is what I use in my turbo Beetle.

Cheers!
 
gclabel.jpg
 
No argument about GC from me. 102000 miles on a sludge building Toyota V6, and it's clean and smoke free!
 
Yeah, VW 502.00, a quick trip thur AutoZone, Advance, and O'reilley's showed that Advance and AutoZone have the M1 0-40 @ $7 a qt +/-, Wal-Mart was out and AutoZone didn’t carry it either. Picked up the filter cartridge at O'reilly's and it was $18, I see why the dealer charges so much now. 6 qts @ $7 and $18 for the filter = $60.00, still cheaper than them though.
crazy2.gif


Whats the trick to finding german castrol in walk in stores?

PS-some more info on 502.00
And a list, as of the end of 2007, of all the VW 502.00 approved oils:
VW 502 00
Addinol Addinol Extra Power MV 0538 LE SAE 5W-30
Addinol Addinol Super light MV0546 SAE 5W-40
Addinol High Star SAE 5W-40
Addinol Addinol Eco Light SAE 5W-40
Adnoc Adnoc Image SAE 5W-30
Adnoc Adnoc Image SAE 5W-40
Agip Agip Sint Evolution SAE 5W-40
Agip Agip Sint Turbodiesel SAE 5W-40
Agip Agip Synthetic PC SAE 5W-40
Agip Agip Tecsint SL SAE 5W-40
Agip Agip Extra HTS SAE 5W-40
AnYe Lubricating Oil AnYe 1 SAE 5W-40
Aral Aral SuperTronic Diesel SAE 0W-40
Avia Avia Synth SAE 5W-40
Beijing Tongyi
Petroleum Xin Gai Nian SAE 5W-40
BP BP Visco 5000 SAE 5W-40
BP BP Visco 7000 Sport SAE 5W-40
BP BP Visco 7000 TD SAE 5W-40
BP BP Visco 7000 TD Sport SAE 5W-40
BP Meister-Öl Leichtlauf-Motorenöl SAE 5W-40
BP BP Professional EURO Plus SAE 5W-40
BP BP EuroSpirit SAE 5W-40
Bucher AG MOTOREX Select SP-X SAE 5W/30 SAE 5W-30
Bucher AG MOTOREX PROFILE V-XL SAE 5W/40 SAE 5W-40
Carl Bechem Hessol ADT Plus SAE 5W-40
Carl Bechem Staroil Synergie Alpha SAE 5W-40
Castrol Adamol Multitop PDI SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol 505 01 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Formula RS Road and Track SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol GTD 505 01 Top Up SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol GTD Direct Injection SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol GTX 5 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol GTX 7 Dynatec Neu SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol TXT 505 01 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol TXT Softec Plus SL SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol GTX Magnatec 5W-40 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol GTX 9 Magnatec SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol GTX Magnatec 5W-30 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol GTD Magnatec 5W-40 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Edge SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Diesel B4 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Edge SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Diesel SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Magnatec C3 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Magnatec C3 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Professional C3 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol GTX Magnatec SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol GTX Magnatec C3 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Magnatec Professional SAE 5W-40
CastrolCastrol GTX 7 Dynatec SAE 5W-40
CastrolCastrol Syntec SAE 5W-40
CastrolCastrol Edge Formula RSSAE 0W-40
CastrolCastrol Magnatec A3/B4 SAE 5W-40
Cepsa Cepsa Star Mega SyntheticSAE 5W-40
Cepsa Cepsa Star TDI Synt SAE 5W-40
Chevron Havoline Ultra SSAE 5W-40
Chevron Havoline Ultra SSAE 5W-30
Cyclon Hellas Cyclon F1 Racing SAE 5W-40
De Oliebron TOR Specialsynth SAE 5W-40
Dongying Xinyi Xin Yi 1 SAE 5W-40
Duckhams Duckhams QS SAE 5W-40
Duckhams Duckhams QS Premium MO SAE 5W-40
Elf Elf Excellium DID SAE 5W-40
Engen Petroleum Engen Xtreme SAE 5W-40
Enoc Protec X-treme SAE 5W-40
Esso Esso Ultron SAE 5W-40
Esso Esso Ultron SL SAE 5W-40
Esso Esso Ultron Turbo Diesel SAE 5W-40
Esso Motor Oil Plus SAE 5W-40
Esso Megatron SAE 5W-40
Esso Tecar Supersyn SAE 5W-40
Esso Tecar Leichtlaufmotorenoel SAE 5W-40
Eurol Eurol Super Lite 5W-40 SL/CF SAE 5W-40
Eurol Eurol Turbo DI SAE 5W-40
FL Selenia Selenia Diesel Common Rail Generation SAE 5W-40
FL Selenia Selenia Benzina Multi Valves Generation SAE 5W-40
FL Selenia Aktual Fully Synth SAE 5W-40
FL Selenia Selenia K SAE 5W-40
FL Selenia Selenia WRSAE 5W-40
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN SupersynSAE 5W-30
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN SupersynSAE 5W-40
Fuchs TITAN Formel MC SAE 5W-40
Fuchs TITAN Supersyn LONGLIFE SAE 5W-30
Galp energia Galp Energy Plus SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Energy SP SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Energy Ultra LS SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Formula 1 Plus SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Formula 505 SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Formula TD Plus SAE 5W-40
Galp energia Galp Formula XLD SAE 5W-40
GinouvesYork 848 SAE 5W-40
Gulf Gulf Formula GX SAE 5W-30
Gulf Oil Gulf Formula G SAE 5W-30
Gulf Oil Gulf Formula G SAE 5W-40
Hunold Eurolub Cleantec SAE 5W-30
Igol Igol Symbol Ceramic SAE 5W-40
Igol Process Compact M SAE 5W-30
INA INA Futura MB SAE 5W-30
Iranol Iranol 30,000 SAE 5W-40
Kendall Motor Oil Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Kuttenkeuler Motorenöl S-Tronic SAE 5W-40
Kuwait Petroleum Q8 Formula Excel SAE 5W-40
Liqui Moly Liqui Moly TopTec 4100 SAE 5W-40
Liqui MolyLiqui Moly Pro-Engine M 300 SAE 5W-30
Liqui MolyLiqui Moly Leichtlauf Special LL SAE 5W-30
Longpan Petrochemical Sonic 9000 SAE 5W-40
Lotos Lotos Economic SAE 5W-30
Lotos Lotos Syntetic SL/SJ/CF/CD SAE 5W-40
Lotos Lotos Traffic SAE 5W-40
Lotos Lotos Traffic Turbodiesel CF SAE 5W-40
Lotos Lotos Economic SL/CF SAE 5W-30
Lotos Lotos Traffic Thermal Control SL/CF SAE 5W-40
Lotos Lotos Traffic Diesel 505.01 SAE 5W-40
Lukoil Lukoil-Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Meguin Motorenoel Low Emission SAE 5W-40
Meguin Motorenoel Ultra Performance Longlife SAE 5W-40
Meguin Olympia Pro-Tech Fully Synthetic Engine Oil SAE 5W-40
Meguin megol Motorenoil Quality SAE 5W-30
Meguin megol Motorenoel Ultra Performance Longlife SAE 5W-40
Mobil Mobil Special X SAE 5W-40
Mobil Mobil Syst S ESP SAE 5W-30
Mobil Mobil 1 SAE 5W-40
Mobil Mobil Synt S SAE 5W-40
Mobil Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
MobilMobil 1 Turbo Diesel SAE 0W-40
MobilMobil 1 Turbo Diesel SAE 5W-40
MobilMobil 1 Arctic SAE 0W-40
MobilMobil Synt S Turbo DieselSAE 5W-40
MobilTecar 50501SAE 5W-30
MobilMobil Special X SAE 5W-40
MobilMobil 1 Formula C SAE 0W-40
MOL MOL Dynamic Gold SAE 5W-30
Motul Motul 8100 X-cess SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul H-Tech Multi Standard SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul Specific 505 01 SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul Synergie SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul 8100 X-clean SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul 8100 X-max SAE 5W-30
MRD Motor Gold Supertec SAE 5W-40
Neste Oil Neste City ProSAE 5W-40
Nocc Valar Gema XLL 053 SAE 5W-30
Northland Synergy Synthetic EuroSyn SAE 5W-40
Oest Oest ETA Synthetik SAE 5W-40
Ölwerke Julius
Schindler Econo Veritas XL-HC SAE 5W-40
Ölwerke Julius
Schindler OJS Econo-Veritas XL-HC SAE 5W-40
Ölwerke Julius
Schindler OJS Engine Oil SAE 5W-40
OMV OMV BIXXOL special G SAE 5W-30
OMV OMV syn com SAE 5W-40
OMV OMV BIXXOL premium SAE 5W-40
OMV OMV BIXXOL premium Diesel SAE 5W-40
OMV OMV BIXXOL extra SAE 5W-40
Orlen Oil Plantinum Synthetic SM/SL/CF SAE 5W-40
Orlen Oil PLATINUM MAXENERGY EURO4 SAE 5W-30
Orlen Oil Star Synt SAE 5W-40
Panolin Panolin Indy SV SAE 5W-40
Paramo Mogul Racing Pro SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Pennzoil Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum European Ultra Diesel SAE 5W-30
Pentosin Pento High PerformanceSAE 5W-40
Petro China Kunlun HTPC SAE 5W-40
Petro China KUNLUN Tianrun SAE 5W-40
Petrol Ofisi PO Maxima SAE 5W-40
Petrol Ofisi PO Maxima Diesel SAE 5W-40
Petronas Petronas Syntium 3000 SAE 5W-40
Petronas Petronas Syntium 3000 LL SAE 5W-30
Poweroil High-Tech-
Schmierstoffe High-Tech-Schmierstoffe vollsynth. SAE 0W-40
Prista Oil Prista Ultra SAE 5W-40
Profi-Tech Profi-Car Synth Tech XT SAE 5W-40
Quaker State Q European EngineSAE 5W-40
Quaker State Q European Engine Ultra SAE 5W-30
Quaker State Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula SAE 5W-40
Quantum Quantum PD Diesel SAE 5W-40
Rafinerija Modrica Galax RacingSAE 5W-40
Ravensberger
Schmierstoffvertrieb Ravenol VSI SAE 5W-40
Ravensberger
Schmierstoffvertrieb Ravenol Hydrocrack Synth. HCS SAE 5W-40
Repsol Repsol Elaion Full Performance SM SAE 5W-40
Repsol Repsol Elite Cosmos SAE 0W-40
Repsol Repsol Elite Evolution SAE 5W-40
Repsol Repsol Elite Competicion SAE 5W-40
Rothen Oil Rothen Extrasynth SAE 5W-30
Rowe Rowe Synt PD SAE 5W-40
SCT Mannol Extreme SAE 5W-40
Seventy-Six Lubricants76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Shanghai Tempo Tempo 8000-1A SAE 5W-40
Shell Formula Shell Ultra AB SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Plus SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Plus SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Plus S SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Plus S SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Premium SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Plus VA SAE 5W-40
Shell Q Diesel Plus SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix DieselUltra SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra SAE 0W-40
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra SAE 0W-40
Shell Shell Helix Ultec SAE 0W-40
Shell Shell Helix Ultra SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra SAE 5W-30
Shell PKW Motorenöl SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix PlusSAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Plus SAE 5W-40
Shell Vapsoil 502 00 SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Plus S SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AM SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AM SAE 5W-40
Shell Vapsoil 503 01 SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra VA SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AX SAE 5W-30
Shell Q European Engine Ultra Diesel SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Plus SM SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Plus SM SAE 5W-30
Sinopec Polar Star SAE 5W-40
Sinopec Polar Star II SAE 5W-40
Slovnaft Madit Ultra SAE 5W-30
S-Oil Corporation SSU EURO XT SAE 5W-40
S-Oil Corporation SSU EURO XT SAE 5W-30
Sonol Sonol Synt 502.00 SAE 5W-40
SRS Schmierstoff
Vertrieb Wintershall VIVA 1 longlife SAE 5W-30
SRS Schmierstoff
VertriebWintershall Primalub topsynth SAE 5W-40
SRS Schmierstoff
VertriebWintershall ViVA 1 topsynth SAE 5W-40
SRS Schmierstoff
VertriebWintershall ViVA 1 topsynth alpha LA SAE 5W-30
Statoil Statoil LazerWay SAE 5W-40
Statoil Statoil LazerWay C SAE 5W-40
Statoil Statoil Pro Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Statoil Statoil LazerWay TDI SAE 5W-40
Statoil Statoil PRO Synthetic SAE 5W-40
SWD Concep-Tech HDC SAE 5W-40
SWD swd Primus HDC SAE 5W-40
SWD GECCO Motorenöl HC SAE 5W-40
TACTI Corporation CASTLE EUARO 502 SAE 5W-40
TACTI Corporation Castle Euaro 502 SAE 5W-40
Tamoil Tamoil SINT FUTURE RACING SAE 5W-40
Texaco Havoline Ultra SAE 5W-40
TNK Lubricant LLC TNK Ultra SAE 5W-40
TNK Lubricant LLC TNK Magnum SyntheticSAE 5W-40
Unil Opal Opaljet 24 S SAE 5W-40
United Oil United 1 Fully Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Valvoline Valvoline SynPower MXL SAE 5W-30
Valvoline Valvoline DuraBlend MXLSAE 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower MST SAE 5W-30
VAPS VAPSOIL 505 01 SAE 5W-40
Vial Oil Consol Ultima SAE 5W-40
Volkswagen Mexico Audi, Seat, VW Aceite para Motor a Gasoline VW 502
00 100% Sintético SAE 5W-40
Volkswagen Original
Teile ® Volkswagen Special plus SAE 5W-40
Weco Weco TXI Syntolube SAE 5W-40
Westfalen AG Westfalen Megatron SAE 5W-40
Wolf Wolf Masterlube Synflow DC SAE 5W-40
Yacco Yacco VX 1000 SAE 5W-40
Yacco Yacco VX 600SAE 5W-40
Yacco Yacco VX 1703 FAP SAE 5W-40
YPF YPF Elaion Full Performance SM SAE 5W-40
Zeller+Gmelin Divinol Syntholight SAE 5W-40
Zeller+Gmelin Divinol Syntholight SAE 0W-40
 
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I don't think you really need synthetic unless you plan on running longer oil intervals like the full 10,000 mile oil change intervals VW specifies.

VW spec's 40 weights, rather than 30 weights for possible oil consumption issues with the lighter 30 wts. Many people these days don't check their oil, so if going 10k miles the oil level can drop considerably if your engine is one of those VW's that consumes a lot of the 30 weights. And the synthetic specification is for the longer 10k miles oil change intervals.

I think 2 other viable options as opposed to a specifically VW spec'd oil are …

1) Run a HDEO synthetic like Rotella T 5W-40, Delo 5W-40 or just any synthetic 5W-40 like Syntec or Valvoline Synpower. With a 6 liter sump, these should have no problem running the 10k interval. The Rotella would probably be the most economical.

2) Run any 5W-30 SM rated oil for 6-7k miles. With a 6L sump these Group II+ SM oils should have no problem running that interval. 5W-30 should be fine from protection POV, but oil may need to be checked a little more often to gauge the consumption and top up if necessary.

While these options may be outside the specific recommendations by VW, I think they would fine from protection and longevity POV.
 
I edited down that absurd list to a nearly-as-absurd North America version.


Castrol Castrol 505 01 SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol Formula RS Road and Track SAE 5W-40
Castrol Castrol TXT Softec Plus SL SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Edge SAE 5W-40
Chevron Havoline Ultra SSAE 5W-40
Elf Elf Excellium DID SAE 5W-40
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN SupersynSAE 5W-30
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN SupersynSAE 5W-40
Gulf Oil Gulf Formula G SAE 5W-40
Kendall Motor Oil Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Liqui Moly Liqui Moly TopTec 4100 SAE 5W-40
Lukoil Lukoil-Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Mobil Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
MobilMobil 1 Turbo Diesel SAE 5W-40
Motul Motul 8100 X-cess SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum European Formula SAE 5W-40
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Pentosin Pento High PerformanceSAE 5W-40
Quaker State Q European EngineSAE 5W-40
Quaker State Q European Engine Ultra SAE 5W-30
Quaker State Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40
Repsol Repsol Elaion Full Performance SM SAE 5W-40
Seventy-Six Lubricants76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Plus SAE 5W-40
Shell Shell Helix Premium SAE 5W-40
Texaco Havoline Ultra SAE 5W-40
Valvoline Valvoline DuraBlend MXLSAE 5W-40
Valvoline Synpower MST SAE 5W-30
Wolf Wolf Masterlube Synflow DC SAE 5W-40
 
Whats the trick to finding german castrol in walk in stores?

AutoZone and I hear now Pep Boys too, dunno for sure about PB.

Shop the sales for M1.
 
For our Jetta 2.5, GC works fine. But it runs just as well on Schaeffers 7000. And I would have no concerns running it on RTS.

The 2.5 is not hard on oil. Unless you are insisting on a 10 OCI, all the VW oil spec hysteria simply doesn't apply to this engine.
 
I have never seen GC for sale, ever. None of the stores around here have had it in ages, and before that who knows, I wasn't even looking before I joined this site.
LOL.gif
 
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I just finished my first DIY oil change on our Jetta and it will be done by me from now on. The dealership will not be getting it back ever for an oil change, the tech was kind enough to leave the "drain valve" cap off on the filter housing. The WIX filter we bought appears to be just an O/E re-boxed filter cartridge as it said made in Germany on one end? Anyone have any tips on using a tool to re-torque the filter housing? Or, just hand tight is kewl? I was able to get it off with the old school style filter "band" wrench but when putting it back on it would not tighten too much so best I could do was my brute strength and a lil extra with some giant channel locks.
 
Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
I don't think you really need synthetic unless you plan on running longer oil intervals like the full 10,000 mile oil change intervals VW specifies.

VW spec's 40 weights, rather than 30 weights for possible oil consumption issues with the lighter 30 wts. Many people these days don't check their oil, so if going 10k miles the oil level can drop considerably if your engine is one of those VW's that consumes a lot of the 30 weights. And the synthetic specification is for the longer 10k miles oil change intervals.

I think 2 other viable options as opposed to a specifically VW spec'd oil are …

1) Run a HDEO synthetic like Rotella T 5W-40, Delo 5W-40 or just any synthetic 5W-40 like Syntec or Valvoline Synpower. With a 6 liter sump, these should have no problem running the 10k interval. The Rotella would probably be the most economical.

2) Run any 5W-30 SM rated oil for 6-7k miles. With a 6L sump these Group II+ SM oils should have no problem running that interval. 5W-30 should be fine from protection POV, but oil may need to be checked a little more often to gauge the consumption and top up if necessary.

While these options may be outside the specific recommendations by VW, I think they would fine from protection and longevity POV.


What Hoohey!

The boyz at VW-AUDI didn't come up with their specific oil recommendations by tossing cans of oil down a stair step and picking the one that was near the top. .... That's why they have been very careful to specifically identify several dozen oils, and recommend them, for use in their engines. And running them to 10K miles is the whole point! It IS the 'greener' option.

A conventional oil is the last thing to put in a VW, BMW, MB engine. As for "SM" qualified oil? Why settle for 'almost" as good as when you can get the real thing????

Just follow the manual.... VW 502.xx, ACEA A3 or A5 in the proper weight...which for the 'deuce and a half' five cylinder , and someone correct me if I'm wrong, is at most a 5W40 or perhaps a 0W-30.
 
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Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
I have never seen GC for sale, ever. None of the stores around here have had it in ages, and before that who knows, I wasn't even looking before I joined this site.
LOL.gif



You're not looking hard enough. Auto Zone routinely has it on sale when Castrol is the flavor of the month. This month Valvoline is the oil du jour. Last month it was Pennzoil. If I had a few bucks to bet, I'd bet Castrol will start around the 26th right after this special ends.

The usual special is 5 qts of Syntec and a Bosch filter for 25.99. Considering that filter is usually 5.99, that makes the Syntec 4 bucks a qt.
 
Originally Posted By: Silber Igel
Originally Posted By: Drivebelt
I don't think you really need synthetic unless you plan on running longer oil intervals like the full 10,000 mile oil change intervals VW specifies.

VW spec's 40 weights, rather than 30 weights for possible oil consumption issues with the lighter 30 wts. Many people these days don't check their oil, so if going 10k miles the oil level can drop considerably if your engine is one of those VW's that consumes a lot of the 30 weights. And the synthetic specification is for the longer 10k miles oil change intervals.

I think 2 other viable options as opposed to a specifically VW spec'd oil are …

1) Run a HDEO synthetic like Rotella T 5W-40, Delo 5W-40 or just any synthetic 5W-40 like Syntec or Valvoline Synpower. With a 6 liter sump, these should have no problem running the 10k interval. The Rotella would probably be the most economical.

2) Run any 5W-30 SM rated oil for 6-7k miles. With a 6L sump these Group II+ SM oils should have no problem running that interval. 5W-30 should be fine from protection POV, but oil may need to be checked a little more often to gauge the consumption and top up if necessary.

While these options may be outside the specific recommendations by VW, I think they would fine from protection and longevity POV.


The boyz at VW-AUDI didn't come up with their specific oil recommendations by tossing cans of oil down a stair step and picking the one that was near the top. .... That's why they have been very careful to specifically identify several dozen oils, and recommend them, for use in their engines. And running them to 10K miles is the whole point! It IS the 'greener' option.

A conventional oil is the last thing to put in a VW, BMW, MB engine. As for "SM" qualified oil? Why settle for 'almost" as good as when you can get the real thing????

Just follow the manual.... VW 502.xx, ACEA A3 or A5 in the proper weight...which for the 'deuce and a half' five cylinder , and someone correct me if I'm wrong, is at most a 5W40 or perhaps a 0W-30.
 
Originally Posted By: Silber Igel
The boyz at VW-AUDI didn't come up with their specific oil recommendations by tossing cans of oil down a stair step and picking the one that was near the top. .... That's why they have been very careful to specifically identify several dozen oils, and recommend them, for use in their engines. And running them to 10K miles is the whole point!

Just follow the manual.... VW 502.xx, ACEA A3 or A5 in the proper weight...which for the 'deuce and a half' five cylinder , and someone correct me if I'm wrong, is at most a 5W40 or perhaps a 0W-30.


Well, actually the "current" (in N.A.)spec of VW 502 is quite old, from 1998 and was run on an old VW 8v 4-banger. Far from the very best, in fact the spec itself is based on generic ACEA A3 spec claimed by ST Synth, Delo dino and DuraBlend 10w-40.
 
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