Engine Oils - Which type to use?

geordie_ben

I'm looking at buying some engine oil and wondering what the different types mean, what the benefits are etc etc

I need 10W-40 for my VW Golf... but then have the options of:

• Enhanced
• Fully Synthetic
• Part Synthetic
• Mineral
• Semi Synthetic

Any advice anyone?

hartcjhart

it should say in the handbook which type,ie fully/semi synth

if it is not shown then just give vw a call and ask them

Ranger8

geordie_ben wrote: »

I'm looking at buying some engine oil and wondering what the different types mean, what the benefits are etc etc

I need 10W-40 for my VW Golf... but then have the options of:

• Enhanced
• Fully Synthetic
• Part Synthetic
• Mineral
• Semi Synthetic

Any advice anyone?

Put in your Reg number
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

geordie_ben

It recommends two different oils, a 5W-40 which is fully synthetic, and the 10W-40 which is part synthetic.... gonna give the garage a call i think.... wont be buying it from them robbing buggars tho!! haha

anewman

Your handbook will state a spec of oil to use. Will be something like VW 501 00 (i.e. letters VW and some numbers). The bottle of oil will also show those spec numbers. I am not sure if you can automatically assume that a higher number means it surpasses the other spec and is the best one for use.

A._Badger

geordie_ben wrote: »

It recommends two different oils, a 5W-40 which is fully synthetic, and the 10W-40 which is part synthetic.... gonna give the garage a call i think.... wont be buying it from them robbing buggars tho!! haha

Opinions will differ on this, but my advice, assuming Castrol's recommendations for your model are correct, would be to use a good 10-40 semi-synthetic and change it and the filter at half the maximum suggested intervals.

VW's own brand oil is good, but a bit hard to find,

If you really fancy becoming an engine oil bore (and there are worse ways of passing the time) everything you need to know is here http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Hope that helps.

Crabman

A._Badger wrote: »

If you really fancy becoming an engine oil bore (and there are worse ways of passing the time) everything you need to know is here http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

If anyone wants to be a super-bore there are some more links in the sticky "Maintenance Tips" thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/948067