10w40 instead of 5w40?

[wavinwayne]

VW recommends I use a 0w40 or 5w40 synthetic oil in my 1.8L turbo. I use Mobil 1 0w40.

But, what I'm wondering is this: I live in North Alabama, where it almost never gets lower than 15°F in winter. With this in mind, would it be ok for me to use 10w40 synthetic instead of 5w40?

Occasionally, I can find various brands of 10w40 synthetic on sale for quite a bit less than the Mobil 1 0w40.

What do the oil judges think?

 

[haley10]

Are you sure? The only syn 10W-40 I have seen has been Castrol Syntec and it isn't but about 50 cents cheaper. It's great stuff, but doesn't have specific VW approval specs.

What oils have you seen? Also what VW specs. required?

 

[JHZR2]

At above 15F the actual viscosity of a 10w-, 5w- or 0w- should be nearly the same, or at least relatively close. The issue to me is that Ive never really seem any good, synthetic 10w-40 oils that Id use.

I think M1 might be coming out with a 'long drain' version though...

Just make sure to meet the Vw specs!

JMH

 

[JohnBrowning]

I would dtick to the 0W40. I have not seen any true 10W40 Synthetics OTC in years! Valvoline and Pennzoil are not true synthetics and I am preety sure they do not meet VW oil spec.!

 

[JohnBrowning]

I just read your other post! Ok you are not going to save a small fortune but you could save a little if warranty is not an issue! You could run Delo 15W40 in the warm months on your VW and not hurt a thing. Technicly most 15W40's are safe to use down to 10F but why chance it! I would run Mobil 1 0W40 in the winter months just to play it safe!!

You might also consider Rotella-T Synthetic 5W40 Walmart sells it for $6 a gallon!! Walmart SuperTech filter will work just fine for you and they are like $1.88 per filter.

For the Ford watch Rite Aid adds. They usualy have Havoline oil for $.99 a quart two or three times a year! It is a good dino and will save you $.50 a quart over the Motorcraft. Supertech filters will work just fine for it as well.

 

[wavinwayne]

To answer several questions, I may be thinking of the 10w30's that go on sale around here pretty often. I won't be using them. But I thought Chevron made a synthetic 10w40???

I will either stick with the Mobil 1 0w40 or try one of the others you folks mentioned.

One last thing; how about Mobil 1 15w50 in my 1.8 turbo? too thick??? I've seen it for a little cheaper than the 0w40.

Thanks

 

[Labatt Bear]

wavinwayne,

Since it is VW 1.8 turbo engine, I'd stick to oils that meet VW 502.00 requirement. After hearing VW/Audi 1.8t engine oil sludge, I would follow their recommendation. If I were you, I would run one of following oils:

Mobil 1 0w-40
Motul 8100 0w-40
Castrol 0w-30
Elf Excellium LDX 5w-40

 

[Pablo]

There may be a reason 10W-40 is cheaper than 5W-40 or 0W-40......

I know for sure Amsoil 5W-40 is better than Amsoil 10W-40.....just a thought.

 

[AndyH]

quote:

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Originally posted by wavinwayne:
One last thing; how about Mobil 1 15w50 in my 1.8 turbo? too thick??? I've seen it for a little cheaper than the 0w40.

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I tried it for one oil-change in my old 1997 A4 1.8T. The oil "felt" really thick to me...made the engine feel sluggish. I liked the Mobil 1 0w-40 in my 1.8T (and my S4 with the 2.7T engine).

 

[Jelly]

If you're looking for a lower cost solution, I believe your best bet, given the application in question and operating conditions, would be Mobil Delvac 1300 Super 15w40.

 

[Michael Polutta]

quote:

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Originally posted by JohnBrowning:
You might also consider Rotella-T Synthetic 5W40 Walmart sells it for $6 a gallon!!

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The Wal-Marts around here have Rotella-T syn for just over $12 per gallon. The plain Rotella (and Delo 400, and Delvac 1300) is in the $6-7 range.

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
The issue to me is that Ive never really seem any good, synthetic 10w-40 oils that Id use.

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What? I'm running Amsoil's 10w40 in my VW TDI as well as my Triumph Sprint. It's good stuff.

With a 5w40 you will get a little better startup protection as well as a minute bit of fuel economy in the first 5-10 minutes or your trip. After that it will be the same as the 10w40.

 

[dilettante]

quote:

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Originally posted by haley10:
Are you sure? The only syn 10W-40 I have seen has been Castrol Syntec and it isn't but about 50 cents cheaper. It's great stuff, but doesn't have specific VW approval specs.

What oils have you seen? Also what VW specs. required?

---

Don't forget Royal Purple 10-40. Of course, Group IV with nice additive package.

Cheers.

 

[Eddie]

Run an oil that meets VW specifications. They know more about your engine than anyone I know and their recomendations are based on data (we hope). ed