Car Engine Oil help pls

andygb

For what it is worth, always go on the forums for the car which you own, and take the advice on there, because it will mostly fall inline with manufacturer's recommendations.
If you use Castrol (which I do not), then remember that they sell in 1 litre and 4 litre sizes, meaning that the larger size will barely do an oil change.
I know that for diesels VW use Quantum oil, but I buy Shell Helix in France at a much lower price so buy it when I pop over.

waterwatereverywhere

Thank you GolfBravo - I didn't know it was written under the bonnet anywhere but will take a look.

A Badger, I'm inclined to agree with you - lots of marketing hype - unfortunately it's sort of working on the likes of me as when you don't know about something well enough you are more prone to falling for the hype!

Iceweasel

andygb wrote: »

For what it is worth, always go on the forums for the car which you own, and take the advice on there, because it will mostly fall inline with manufacturer's recommendations.
If you use Castrol (which I do not), then remember that they sell in 1 litre and 4 litre sizes, meaning that the larger size will barely do an oil change.
I know that for diesels VW use Quantum oil, but I buy Shell Helix in France at a much lower price so buy it when I pop over.

Every brand of engine oil is much cheaper in France than in the UK.

I don't bother much with wine and beer - I take home engine oil. :rotfl:

Iceweasel

A._Badger wrote: »

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.

That's unfortunate - the recommendation for my car is correct.

I tend to use the Castrol site mostly to determine quantities

Out of interest could you check this alternative 'oil-finder' site and tell me if you find it accurate.

https://www.omv.com/portal/01/com/omv/OMV_Group/Products/OMV_Oil_Finder/!ut/p/b1/04_SjzS3MLYwMjI1MtCP0I_KSyzLTE8syczPS8wB8aPM4n0NLD3cPEONQh1NPA2cgkz9_NwMIEA_ODVPPzfKUREAtv1RIw!!/

molerat

If you want to educate yourself on VW oils read here http://www.oilspecifications.org/volkswagen.php :eek:

oldagetraveller

Castrol are incorrect for my car too. They advise Magnatec A1. Toyota recommend and use their semi-synthetic 5W/30 which is much cheaper.
"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."
Which bears out the above statement from Mr Badger!
I agree with andygb, why don't Castrol supply 5 litre containers, 4 litre is not enough for my engine so an extra separate 1 litre would be needed?

andygb

Iceweasel wrote: »

Every brand of engine oil is much cheaper in France than in the UK.

I don't bother much with wine and beer - I take home engine oil. :rotfl:

The liquid levels (all of them) are usually pretty high when we get back home:D

I wish I was going over there soon, because they are selling the winter Trappist beers off cheap.

Screenwash and antifreeze are also pretty cheap.

bigjl

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Castrol are incorrect for my car too. They advise Magnatec A1. Toyota recommend and use their semi-synthetic 5W/30 which is much cheaper.
"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."
Which bears out the above statement from Mr Badger!
I agree with andygb, why don't Castrol supply 5 litre containers, 4 litre is not enough for my engine so an extra separate 1 litre would be needed?

From what i have been led to believe.

Toyota branded engine oils used to be Castrol.

As was Ford branded oil.

There are good oil checkers on Mobil, Miller, Shell and Morris oil websites.

As long as it meets the VW specs that you require then it is likely to be fine to use anything from a 5w30 to a 0w40 and anything else thst meets the specs.

I boughf the workshop manual for my Pathfinder and foud that not only can i happily use 5w30 or 5w40 in the engine (Acea C3) i could also use A5/B5 as long as the saps were below 1 as mine is a later one with a dpf.

There is no one size fits all with oil most of the time.

Oil spec is sometimes dependant on the usage and the climate it is used in.

I have personally never had any oil site give me incorrect information so i would take such comments with a pinch of salt

And i have used them a lot. For many years.

Opieoils has an online checker, doen for maintenance last week however, but they also have an email address for you to ask for a specific recommendation.

Fuchs make very good oil and they were the default option for those in the Veedub scene for many years.

You can get them from Opie and they are very reasonably priced.

reeac

bigjl wrote: »

Fuchs make very good oil You can get them from Opie and they are very reasonably priced.

Is that the brand called Fuchs Op?

A._Badger

Iceweasel wrote: »

That's unfortunate - the recommendation for my car is correct.

I tend to use the Castrol site mostly to determine quantities

Out of interest could you check this alternative 'oil-finder' site and tell me if you find it accurate.

https://www.omv.com/portal/01/com/omv/OMV_Group/Products/OMV_Oil_Finder/!ut/p/b1/04_SjzS3MLYwMjI1MtCP0I_KSyzLTE8syczPS8wB8aPM4n0NLD3cPEONQh1NPA2cgkz9_NwMIEA_ODVPPzfKUREAtv1RIw!!/

I don't 'do' kilometers, but yes, that site does look about right.

Andygb makes a good point too about Castrol's packaging. I imagine quite a few people imagine they are buying a larger quantity than they actually get. Yes, people should read the label, but we live in a world of pretty much standard quantities so it whiffs a bit of sharp practice to sell in smaller doses than is normal.