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Original cabin filter from 2016 VW Passat 1.8t. ~49,000 miles. Mostly suburban driven in PA, NJ, MD. Mann original and Mann carbon replacement.

Recently replaced the original air filter in my son's 2016 VW Passat 1.8t. The car has ~49,000 miles. I'm sure the filter could have gone another 50k all the way to 100,000, but I changed it anyway. As you can see (hopefully pics uploaded properly) the original filter was a Wix, made in Mexico...

2004 530i with M54 straight six. 240,000 miles abruptly started making loud engine noise, sounded like a piston pin loose or something similar, but sound didn't change with load. Same sound whether revving up or revving down, driving, idling, etc. so didn't make sense to me. Looked at oil filter...

Just posting to hear your thoughts on using a mid SAPS oil instead of a high SAPS oil in a 2016 VW Passat EA888 Gen 3 engine. This engine is both turbocharged and direct injection. Both the owner's manual and the underhood sticker states VW 502 oil spec. Here are are two US market oils that...

Has anyone here had any success with a bead breaker to remove automotive tires? I'm thinking of buying the $119 Bead Buster XB-450 or maybe something similar. Looking to remove 50 or 60 series tires mounted on steel wheels or factory alloys, like for instance a 195/65-15 VW Golf factory alloy...

I wonder how dirty the ventilation systems in old cars became before cabin air filters. I remember as a kid changing the heater core on an old AMC Hornet, but don't remember there being any leaves or nasty dust and grime in it like we see here in some of these "nasty cabin filter" posts here...

The SAE weights - 20, 30, 40, 50, etc - are not proportional to the actual viscosity they are are indicating. For instance, a typical 20 weight oil does not have half the viscosity of a typical 40 weight oil. Looking at the numbers for two commonly used (and discussed here on BITOG) oils we...

Any BITOGers going to the Mecum Auction in Harrsiburg? I'm heading there tomorrow, Saturday August 4 and thought it might be interesting to meet a BITOGer in person.

After doing a bit of research, here on BITOG and elsewhere, I have not found a definitive answer on which ATF should be used for a (US) 2016 Passat with the 1.8 liter EA888 Gen 3 engine with Aisin 09G automatic transmission (only transmission available on 2016 Passat 1.8t). From what I have...

I like the idea of getting the most from the oil in our cars. I understand that modern oils can be run a long time, but I wonder about oil seal longevity with extended oil changes. My thinking is that I'd rather change the oil more frequently and delay expensive-to-repair oil leaks than to save...

I have a 1988 BMW 325i with a 4-sp ZF automatic that calls for Dexron II ATF. I know that GM dropped the DII a long time ago, and more recently dropped DIII. What brands still sell a decent Dexron III fluid? I see Castrol sells a domestic multi-vehicle fluid, Pennzoils sell a similar ATF. Also...

I always thought that for true fog lights (as opposed to "driving" lights) yellow, or at least some shade of yellow is better for actually driving in fog or snow because the reflections to the driver's eye are lessened. Is this true? Do any auto manufacturers put on yellow fog lights in the...

It has the ZF 6 speed automatic (called steptronic) transmission. The correct fluid for it is Shell M-1375.4. It's virtually impossible to find this stuff here in the US. The BMW dealer charges $16 per half liter, but won't just sell the fluid, it'll only use that fluid if they do the fluid...

For a 2004 530i 6-speed automatic (e60) - This has been a tough one...the dealer only sells atf from it's bulk containers and it like $15 for a half liter...almost $30 per quart. And they will only sell it if they will also install it. Does anyone know of a good alternative atf for this ZF 6...

Is there really a difference in the way an engine runs with different oils? I've read many threads here that are about a poster's engine seeming to run smoother or quieter with a certain oil. With the typical weights, 0w-20, 5w-20, 5w-30, 10w-30, 5w-40, 0w-40, etc, is there really a difference...

Don't know where else to post this as I cannot post in the General Forum: This is really weird...no results at all for any search with the term BMW in the search filed. There are plenty of posts and titles with the letters BMW in it, but the search yields NO results.

I understand that PAOs are hard onoil seals, makes them shrink or something, and esters or something else is mixed to ameliorate this problem. My question: what long term effect does using GC have on the durability of engine seals? I just bought a nice used 2004 BMW 530i and I want to use the...

I'm looking for specs and recommendations for a 2004 BMW 530i. ATF, power steering, and diff. I beleive the factory spec for ATF is Esso LT 71141, and and Pentosin something or other for the steering and not sure about the diff. I see the new Mobil 1 atf says it's good for the Esso LT 71141...

What type of coolant for a 2004 BMW? I've searched BITOG and any search with "BMW" in it mysteriously yields no results. I've also searched many other websites to no avail. Any help would be appreciated.

I know that many engines last a really long time without an early initial oil change, and I know of all the Honda-specific blab about the 'special' factory fill, etc. I still can't think of a really, really good reason to NOT change the oil early in just about any new car. Leave the original...