'00 Audi S4 oil recommendation (very short drives)

[Corrado]

I have an '00 Audi S4 with 95k miles. Engine is stock (OEM K03 turbos) with the exception of a reflashed ECU.

I drive this car nearly every day to the train station, approximately 2-3 mins one way. Not enough to even budge the temp needle from its resting point. On weekends, it's my "pleasure car" and I drive it normally for errands, short trips, etc. I typically put about 4,500-5,000 miles on a year, and have owned it for the past 3 years.

I have been running M1 0w-40 since I owned it, however I am aware of the sheering to a 30 weight over time common with this oil.

My concerns are:
-Short trips, not enough to warm up engine
-Longevity of turbos/engine
-Proper oil for climate in my area (Philadelphia)

and to a lesser extent:
-cost of oil
-frequency of oil changes

I typically am a "once a year guy" which works out due to the 4,500-5,000 miles I put on the car every year.


I'm game to try Rotella T6 5w-40 next oil change (even though it's not the proper ACEA A3/B3 spec for my engine) - thoughts? Would letting the car "warm up" for 5 mins before leaving help at all? or is it wasteful?

PS. I always use a "good" filter such as MANN, Mahle, or OEM.

 

[JHZR2]

Honestly, if the drive is 2-3 minutes, the walk shouldnt be that much longer. I'd walk, get the exercise and save parking costs if they charge you.

I would not warm up the engine. I'd just start it, let the idle settle and go. I would drive very gently and not get on the boost at all.

What I would do is make sure that once a week or every other week, you drive the car enough to truly get the oil up to temperature for a while. 75-150 miles is optimal. That will make it a non-issue, as Ive had this exact experience working with my mother's car, which has a similar use profile. We are able to run non-severe OCIs on synthetic when the long drive is integrated in.

 

[Eddie]

Warming up the engine for more than a minute is bad for the engine and OIL. I just follow the " severe service requirement" and use the lowest viscosity oil recommended. In addition; as others have said, try to take a 30 minute highway drive once a week. Ed

 

[Ibrahim]

Your choice of oil is fine, and you can certainly use T6 confidently....having said that just make sure oil level is up to the mark....

I do not see any problem you changing ur oil once a year....

Just make sure to take ur car for a minimum of a 10 min drive at least once a month on high way (55 miles+/h) it will get all the moisture and fuel out of ur oil!

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

If the M1 0w-40 meets or exceeds your OEM specification you are good to go. Whether or not the M1 (a lite 40 weight) shears to a heavy 30 weight oil is irrelevant.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Mobil 1 5w-30 High Miles, Edge 5w-30 or Pennzoil Ultra or Platinum.

The thinner the better.


M1 HM seems to be made for German Cars. Edge works well in Audi turbos (I'm using it in a month) and PZ products have a great track record too.

Here's GC in an A4 2.7tt....

Edge in a 1.8t...

 

[ammolab]

I used a lot of M1 0W-40 and Castrol 0W-30 in my 2000 S4 and it ran fine when I sold it @ 139,000miles. Still had Original Turbos but here in Houston I did not worry about too many "cold" starts.

 

[zoomzoom]

you want oil that is thin at start up for your short trips..so pick a good syn oil with lowest 40C viscosity and you will be fine

 

[fdcg27]

Wow.
For the way you use this thing, how about just using a non-spec oil, and changing it every six months.
You could use just about any 5W-30, and you'd be fine.
If you want to get fancy, how about Rotella T5 winter, and T6 for summer?