The oil thread

[brundozg]

Some say Liqui Moly is the best, others say even sunflower oil will do...
As (almost) every automotive forum has a thread about motor oil in which discussion is (mostly) based on pure feelings, marketing and 0% facts and I can not find one here, I am starting the eternal question: What is the best oil for a particular VW engine?
For my 2.0TDI I am using Castrol Edge 5W30 LL and changing the oil every 15000km (9320 miles). This decision is based purely on marketing, as Castrol is printed on the oil cap in engine department and partly based on feelings that long life oil could have better properties than "regular" as it is meant to be used for longer oil change intervals. Is there any better option?

 

[JMR]

I tried Liqui Molly on my cars , it s good save for the one that has that grey collor , with graphite /molibden or so shit in it..( it s called Mos 2 ). My engines will eat that one like nuts. So over years i ve been using Ravenol , Motul and regular Liqui Molly for my petrol engines. Happiest with Motul , my engines don t like to eat that one...

 

[brundozg]

So your decision is based on oil consumption? I might try a different oil then, between oil changes I have to add approx. 4-4.5 liter of oil. Driving mostly on highway for few hundreds of kilometers. Otherwise car is just parked, moved max once per week.
What price do you pay for Ravenol?

 

[Uwe]

My sense is that oil (especially for diesel engines) is not as good as it was in the past because some of the best fiction modifiers are not compatible with all the DPF/SCR systems on newer cars. And it used to be that oils for gasoline engines were different than oils for diesel engines, but now, many car manufacturers allow the same oil for both..?

-Uwe-

 

[NZDubNurd]

I currently use Penrite HPR5 5W-40 in EVERYTHING

It's a high zinc oil, but my cars are all too old to care, or are safer WITH more zinc.

Line trimmer, Lawn mower, Ride-on mowers x2, Touran with 3.2 VR6, Touran with 2.0 FSI and the Land Rover Disco 3.9 V8
At any given time, I have from 20 to 100 litres of it in the garage, because I buy it one special way too often

 

[Uwe]

I currently use Penrite HPR5 5W-40 in EVERYTHING

Never heard of it. Looks to be an Aussie company?

-Uwe-

 

[RGH0]

Yes Penrite is an Australian oil blender and been around for for a lot of years. They make a full range of oils from running in oil, to Group 4 and 5 base oil blends for racing engines, to gear oils. They also make the VW / BMW / Mercedes etc approved grades for modern cars.

 

[JMR]

So your decision is based on oil consumption? I might try a different oil then, between oil changes I have to add approx. 4-4.5 liter of oil. Driving mostly on highway for few hundreds of kilometers. Otherwise car is just parked, moved max once per week.
What price do you pay for Ravenol?

Around 30+ dollars for 4 liters.
Just as additional info : on both my VW Golf ( 4 and 5 ) the oil comes out black like tar while on my japanese 2.3 Mazda engine comes out like i never used it almost. That is still a mistery to my as to why. Ideas ?

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www.epiesa.ro

 

[etz2k]

I think, if you have a so well engineered engine like the old 1.8TFSI or 2.0TFSI that need as much oil like a 2-stoke engine, its a wast of time thinking about the best oil.

 

[Uwe]

-Uwe-

 

[Indorile]

My 2.0 TFSI CDNC eats a lot less of motul than shell/castrol. Then again I know that motul is not a knock-off copy, while shell/castrol not so much. I usually try to find a oil spec online to see where on the specified range is the oil's viscosity since 30 can be anywhere from 10.5 cSt to 15 cSt.

 

[c-gar]

i thought that VW broke up with BP/Castrol ~2019-2020 and is now selling rebranded Exxon/Mobil oil products. my 2019 golf r has the "castrol" oil cap and i think also in the PRINTED manual, but the dealers sell VAG branded oil now.
my hangup is even more basic than brand, but what grade to use. the manual says one thing and the engine sticker says another.
with the 6 year "people's warranty" i've chosen to go with the engine sticker and buy 0W-30, VW504 oil at a dealer and DIY -- OCD saving receipts and records.
but the problems don't end there... one VW dealer tried to sell me 0W20 and another recommended 5W40 when i give them my VIN. they were both from the same franchise!

 

[RGH0]

what car what year what engine, what mileage all would help if you want a sensible comment on oil viscosity to use. ?

 

[brundozg]

i thought that VW broke up with BP/Castrol ~2019-2020 and is now selling rebranded Exxon/Mobil oil products.

I read somewhere (at least in Europe) it's Aral SuperTronic LL3, but would not bet that they are not buying different oils and rebranding them - would be cheaper for them.

 

[Uwe]

the manual says one thing and the engine sticker says another.

This sort of confusion is not limited to VW/Audi. I have a 2021 RAM 1500 with the 3.0 "Eco Diesel", which has similar discrepancies between what's printed in the manual and FCA (now Stellantis) actually wants you to use.

-Uwe-

 

[c-gar]

what car what year what engine, what mileage all would help if you want a sensible comment on oil viscosity to use. ?

sorry, 2019 golf r. here's the oil spec situation for the 2019 golf r in about 30 seconds (link starts at 1:43)

i buy the 0w30 spec 504 from the dealer so there will be purchase history if any warranty claims come up and do the work myself. after seeing the link shows the video title i'll add that i suck it out the top, not drain from the bottom.
(back to purpose of the original post, my rationalization is all feeling and no data)

regarding the source of VAG lubricants... *giggle*

I read somewhere (at least in Europe) it's Aral SuperTronic LL3, but would not bet that they are not buying different oils and rebranding them - would be cheaper for them.

this press release leads me to believe that north american VW oil may be from exxonmobil
https://www.mcphersonoil.com/volkswagen-group-motor-oil-program/

so after a few minutes of thinking about it, after my warranty period is up i'll likely go price shopping for a new brand that meets 504 spec.

 

[Quintus Rotam]

I read somewhere (at least in Europe) it's Aral SuperTronic LL3, but would not bet that they are not buying different oils and rebranding them - would be cheaper for them.

The one on the left: some US $20 at the dealer, and about $12 elsewhere.
The one on the right: just over $8 (not at the dealer, of course).

It's the same oil.

 

[alexnoe]

My sense is that oil (especially for diesel engines) is not as good as it was in the past because some of the best fiction modifiers are not compatible with all the DPF/SCR systems on newer cars. And it used to be that oils for gasoline engines were different than oils for diesel engines, but now, many car manufacturers allow the same oil for both..?

-Uwe-

It's not as simple. Let's take VW again:
- Current diesel engines need VW 50700 0W30 for 147 kW, but VW 50900 0W20 for 110 kW and 85 kW
- Current petrol engines need VW 50400 0W30 or VW 50800 0W20, again depending on power output
- VW 50400 and VW 50800 specifications are mutually exclusive
- VW 50700 and VW 50900 specifications are mutually exclusive
- VW 50400 and VW 50700 are not mutually exclusive
- VW 50800 and VW 50900 are not mutually exclusive

 

[Uwe]

Let's see what one of the biggest additive package makers in the world (used by many, if not most of the companies that make & package motor oils) has to say about VW VW50800 and 50900:

VW50800/50900 is a recent addition to the range of active Volkswagen specifications and represents an improvement in fuel economy performance when compared to previous Volkswagen specifications. This is driven by continued pressures on OEMs to improve vehicle fuel efficiency to meet tightening CO2 emissions legislation which will come into force in 2021.

Source

As expected, it's all about fuel economy; not about better lubrication or engine protection.

-Uwe-

 

[alexnoe]

Let's see what one of the biggest additive package makers in the world (used by many, if not most of the companies that make & package motor oils) has to say about VW VW50800 and 50900:

Source

As expected, it's all about fuel economy; not about better lubrication or engine protection.

-Uwe-

Neither is better or worse. They are different.

VW 50800 and VW 50900 oil are always 0W20, whereas VW 50400 and 50700 are 0W30 or 5W30. You cannot use VW 50800/50900 oil in current engines that require 50400 or VW 50700 because the lubricating film of 0W20 oil is less stable at high temperatures. This, obviously, is more important in countries without speed limit than in countries with speed limits around 70 mph. It's the main reason why a current 147 kW Diesel engine requires VW 50700 0W30, whereas the current 110 kW Diesel engine uses 0W20. It's also important if you want to use the towing capability of these cars. Mine, for example, is allowed to tow a trailer of 2200kg.

The oil quality sensor in cars which are supposed to use VW 50800 or VW 50900 assumes that you are using the very oil you are expected to use. You can use VW 50400 oil instead of VW 50800 oil if you disable flexible oil change interval.