VW "grade" engine oil

londonTiger

Do VWs really need special grade of engine oil or can any be used? I know with antifreeze, power steering you have to use their own spec stuff otherwise it can cause problems. But what about engine oil? Some say that VW run hotter than other cars and need the specced oils?

forgotmyname

Depends how often you change the oil.

Do you want the expensive long life stuff, Or go for cheaper oil and change it more often?

Personally i would use a good quality branded oil and change it more often.

anotherbaldrick

londonTiger wrote: »

Do VWs really need special grade of engine oil or can any be used? I know with antifreeze, power steering you have to use their own spec stuff otherwise it can cause problems. But what about engine oil? Some say that VW run hotter than other cars and need the specced oils?

Depends on the model and engine of your car. For each VW have an oil specification, you can use any oil providing it meets the spec. For the spec no. look in your handbook , ask at a dealership or Google it.

neilmcl

londonTiger wrote: »

Do VWs really need special grade of engine oil or can any be used? I know with antifreeze, power steering you have to use their own spec stuff otherwise it can cause problems. But what about engine oil? Some say that VW run hotter than other cars and need the specced oils?

Most engines require particular grades of oil. I think your confusion may be because VAG engines tend to use their own labelling, eg. VW503.0 but they will also list the standard viscosity grades, such as 10w-40, 5w-30 etc.

Essentially you need to look in the user manual to find out the viscosity grade and check the specification, ie, whether it's longlife or not and go from there.

ballyblack

Spec is important especially in PD VW engines (diesel)

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/466678/3202255.aspx



.

salubrious

You should always use the correct spec oil for your engine, of course if you want to try cheaper brands, then that's your choice, but always stick to using the right specifications as top priority.

londonTiger

the problem is the manual does not state the viscosity required anywhere in the manual what so ever.

It does state the specs though

ACEA a2/a3 OR

longlife: vw50300
multigrade high lubricity: vw 500 00 or vw 502 00
high lubricity: vw 501 01

When I last did an oil change, I entered my reg in EPC and picked an oil that was recommended. There were two versions one without any specific car make, and one that said "for VAG application" but it was £10 more (5 litre). I think I may have bought longlife without realising.

To be honest I would rather use cheap mineral oil and change it every 6 months than use longlife for 2 years.

neilmcl

What car and year is it?

You should look here: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-742-vw-engine-oil.aspx

londonTiger

neilmcl wrote: »

What car and year is it?

You should look here: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-742-vw-engine-oil.aspx

it's a 2002 golf, 1.6 engine.

You see when you click those links you get a whole range of different viscosity rating for oils. It's mind boggling.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

londonTiger wrote: »

the problem is the manual does not state the viscosity required anywhere in the manual what so ever.

It does state the specs though

ACEA a2/a3 OR

longlife: vw50300
multigrade high lubricity: vw 500 00 or vw 502 00
high lubricity: vw 501 01

When I last did an oil change, I entered my reg in EPC and picked an oil that was recommended. There were two versions one without any specific car make, and one that said "for VAG application" but it was £10 more (5 litre). I think I may have bought longlife without realising.

To be honest I would rather use cheap mineral oil and change it every 6 months than use longlife for 2 years.

20/50 in a 1.6 VW!? you wont make it to 3 months on that stuff before you blow something up.

DUTR

londonTiger wrote: »

it's a 2002 golf, 1.6 engine.

You see when you click those links you get a whole range of different viscosity rating for oils. It's mind boggling.

This should help you