Car Engine Oil help pls

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

Pls can anyone tell me the correct engine oil for this car?

It is a VW Polo automatic DSG 7 speed 85PS (2010).

Just for topping up purposes in-between services.

It has around 16,000 miles.

Have put in reg no in Eurocarparts and Halfords sites and this tells me two different types:

5W30 or

5W40

Not sure which one to buy - does it make a difference or would either of these two do?

Also any recommendations re make - don't want to buy the actual VW one as it's more expensive.

I've noticed that some 5W30 oils say they are fully synthetic and others say they are semi-synthetic. What is the difference? Why is car oil so confusing!!

Many thanks in advance.

reeac

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Hi,

Pls can anyone tell me the correct engine oil for this car?

It is a VW Polo automatic DSG 7 speed 85PS (2010).

Just for topping up purposes in-between services.

It has around 16,000 miles.

Have put in reg no in Eurocarparts and Halfords sites and this tells me two different types:

5W30 or

5W40

Not sure which one to buy - does it make a difference or would either of these two do?

Also any recommendations re make - don't want to buy the actual VW one as it's more expensive.

I've noticed that some 5W30 oils say they are fully synthetic and others say they are semi-synthetic. What is the difference? Why is car oil so confusing!!

Many thanks in advance.

It's a big subject but the bottom line is that the choice between 5W30 and 5W40 wouldn't be at all critical assuming that the car doesn't consume a lot of oil. Does it actually need any topping up between services?


It's a lightly used car to judge by age and mileage unless that's due to a previous owner and that you will use it much more. Assuming that it's still to be lightly used then you won't need fully synthetic, long oil change interval oil and semi-synthetic will be fine. 5W30 is usually semi-synthetic whereas 5W40 is fully synthetic. I say go for the former.

forgotmyname

5/30 is semi and 5/40 is fully synthetic? Wrong.

You can get either in both grades.

The VW oil maybe more expensive but it maybe their long life oil.

reeac

forgotmyname wrote: »

5/30 is semi and 5/40 is fully synthetic? Wrong.

You can get either in both grades.

The VW oil maybe more expensive but it maybe their long life oil.

Now, now, I did say USUALLY. I was trying to give a summary of the subject.

molerat

They will both be fully synthetic long life oils to vw spec (expensive,) which one to use usually depends on the service regime the car is on, fixed or flexible. http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/regimes

Iceweasel

Just put your Registration Number in here and you will get the correct spec for all the fluids for your car:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectionbodycopy.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7073092

Modern engine oil is not so complicated if all you want to know is which engine oil.

It's when you want to know why one type of oil as opposed to another that it gets difficult to comprehend.

GolfBravo

forgotmyname wrote: »

The VW oil maybe more expensive but it maybe their long life oil.

It varies, but I would guess all VW spec oils are fully synthetic these days (?).

VW oil spec is quite standard, except for very high levels of additives preventing oxidative thickening.

I usually buy all engine oils from Nielsen CDG (they also sell through ebay and sometimes include free shipping).

Something like this would be suitable:

£12, saw it at my local Esso for £19.99 this morning.
5W-30 ESP Fully Synthetic, Volkswagen 504 00/ 507 00 - but better check the owners handbook for the exact VW spec.

Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5w30 is also VW 504/507 spec, £2 cheaper.

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

Many thanks for all the helpful replies which I am going through and trying to understand...

In answer to some queries, it has low mileage now but that's because we've just acquired it. We will be doing around 20,000 miles a year, long motorway journeys regularly, so expect it may need topping up in-between and want to buy the right oil to keep in the boot for those occasions...

Don't have manual at the moment so can't check what it says but I will look at some of the links people have kindly given.

Main reason we wanted to know what to look for, i.e. 5W30 or 40 or whatever, is so we can price compare and find an affordable option.

Appreciate that Mobil and Castrol etc., are good brands but does anyone use or have any comment on the supermarket own brands in the same specification - would these be okay to use or much inferior quality?

Thx again

techspec

I wouldn't take much notice of Halfords. For years they told me my oil was 5W-30

It turned out to be 10W-40

They also told me my wipers were special and needed to be ordered in at the Main dealers and would be very expensive. While looking at tyres at the local cheapo shop - i saw them on the rack at £6 a pair.

Then there was the time it took them 1.5 hours to get my headlamp bulb in.

They really are a glorified bike shop.

GolfBravo

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Don't have manual at the moment so can't check what it says but I will look at some of the links people have kindly given.

In that case pop the bonnet up and look for the oil spec sticker - most makes have them under the bonnet, it would specify something like VW 504 or 507 or similar, or maybe even the oil grade e.g.. 5W-30.

A._Badger

Iceweasel wrote: »

Just put your Registration Number in here and you will get the correct spec for all the fluids for your car:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectionbodycopy.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7073092

Modern engine oil is not so complicated if all you want to know is which engine oil.

It's when you want to know why one type of oil as opposed to another that it gets difficult to comprehend.

I disagree. The oil companies (Castrol included) have a nasty habit of steering you to the most expensive product they make, whether it is necessary or not.

I just checked that link and the oil change interval information recommended for one of my cars is way out.

The only reliable way to find out is check the car manufacturer's handbook, locate the correct grade and rating and then buy the oil that meets that specification at a price you feel comfortable with.

Of course, it may not contain Castrol's "Fliud Strength TechnologyTM" (note the 'TM'!), nor will it be manufactured from ground-up unicorn hooves. But it will do the required job.

It's a pity. Castrol used to be one the UK's finest brands. Then the marketing children took over.