And the tracers are added to identify uses where this oil was not approved, not the other way around. VW was clear that 508 00 oils were not to be used in any applications other than those for which it is approved.
No engine is harmed by an oil with a higher HT/HS but one can be damaged by an oil that has an HT/HS that’s too low. VW is protecting against this, not detecting that only 508 00 oils are being used.
Exactly. As repeatedly mentioned as well on ETKA reported, the dye
(as well as Zirconium present in all VW 508 00) is only to prove used
in cars where VW 508 00 is
not allowed. For obvious reasons that's
the really if not only relevant danger to prevent.
Except it wasn't. It was designed for 502.00, as the initial printing of the manual required that spec. It was superseded by 508.00 on a bac spec basis for fuel economy reasons.
The EA888 Gen 3B engine was new at the launch of that model. It differs from the other EA888 engines as it is the first Budak cycle engine in the family. The recommendation wouldn't have been a holdover from earlier, it was likely because they were working furiously on a fuel economy spec, but didn't have it ready in time for the model's release.
Like mentioned the EA888 3G when launched in 2012 was designed
around VW 502 00 and 504 00. Entire Europe used VW 504 00 (XW-30).
When this Budack-EA888 3B introduced in 2015 Audi's publications (eg
SSP etc) said it was designed along with 0W-20. So this engine can run
easily
all relevant approvals above (VW 502 00, 504 00, 508 00).
Knowing that this is a turbocharged DI engine, I am not overly comfortable continuing with a 0W-20, but would like to move to the 502.00 spec, which opens up more viscosities. Of the allowed viscosities, I am interested in a 0W-30 or 0W-40 for the climate I am in (temperatures year round that range normally from -30C to +30C, and can hit extremes reaching either -40C or +40C).
Thoughts on which viscosity would serve me best?
Feel comfortable using VW 508 00, however I'm in your same boat,
but without the excessive temps. My GTI is allowed using VW 508 00,
VW 504 00 and VW 502 00. I just feel with using VW 504 00 most
comfortable. While I prefer 5W-30 for myself I'd recommend using
VW 504 00 0W-30 to you (just because -30°C or even -40°C).
M1 ESP 0W-30 or PP Euro LX 0W-30 for example, maybe Ravenol
VSW 0W-30* if it's obtainable and appropriately priced in Canada.
*pourpoint -60°C, CCS (-35°C) 5565 mPa*s if it matters