Notice the part that says:
Engine damage caused by using the wrong engine oil is not covered by your Limited New Vehicle Warranty.
While this is for gas engines, I will leave it up to you to decide if the language is enough to make you use something they say for 501.01.
JKH
From VW:
Choosing the right oil matters a lot more today than it used to. The power plant in your 1998-2006 Volkswagen is one of the most advanced and sophisticated automobile engines available today. Built to precise specifications, it requires an exact grade, viscosity and quality of engine lubrication.
Engine oils have been further developed and improved since your vehicle was manufactured. Volkswagen has also developed a new oil quality standard that meets the needs of the gasoline engine in your 1998–2006 Volkswagen. Engine oil that met previous Volkswagen oil quality standards may no longer be easy to find. This booklet will give you important information about the right engine oil for your 1998–2006 gasoline powered Volkswagen and inform you about the newVolkswagen oil quality standard that many oil companies are using to certify their engine oils today. You will probably find that engine oil which complies with this new Volkswagen oil quality standard is more readily available today than oil that complies with the Volkswagen oil quality standards listed in the Owners Literature for your Volkswagen.
Many synthetic oils available today provide better engine lubrication that can outlast traditional petroleum-based oils, making them a smart choice for use throughout the life of your Volkswagen. Because of this fact, Volkswagen strongly recommends that you use synthetic-based oil that complies with Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00 as a replacement lubricant. Whether you use synthetic or petroleum-based engine oil, the oil that you use
must conform to Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00 in order to help keep your vehicle’s engine running smoothly and help prevent the formation of harmful sludge and deposits that can lead to expensive repairs. At the time of printing, all of the engine oils Volkswagen is aware of that meet the exacting Volkswagen oil quality standard are synthetic-based.
Engine oil for 1998–2006 model year gasoline engine Volkswagen vehicles
Specification and viscosity
Engine oil for the gasoline engine in your Volkswagen
must conform to exact specifications. Your engine needs an all-season, high-quality engine oil that conforms to Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00. If you need to add oil between changes, or perform an oil change, use only an engine oil with the correct specifications that complies with Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00. Oil container labels may carry these specifications singly or in combination with other designations and oil quality standards.
Engine oils are graded according to viscosity.
The proper viscosity grade oil for your engine depends on climatic or seasonal conditions where you drive. You can use oil with a viscosity grade of SAE 5W40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving conditions. However, if engineoil viscosity grade SAE 5W40 is not available, you can also use viscosity grade SAE 5W30 or SAE 0W40as long as it meets Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00. Please remember that not all commercially available oils conform to Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502. 00 even though they may have the same viscosity.
Checking the oil level
A lot of things affect oil consumption. For that reason, we urge you to check the oil level in your vehicle at frequent intervals, preferably every time you refuel and always before going on a long trip. Please remember that the oil pressurelight is not an indicator of low engine oil level. Always use the oil dipstick to get a true reading of the oil level in your engine and be sure to check the oil level at regular intervals. Specific directions regarding the proper checking of the oil level in your VW are given in your Owner’s Literature. Because the approved engine oil may not always be available when you need it, we strongly recommend that you always carry with you an extra quart (liter) of oil that conforms to Volkswagen oil quality standardVW 502 00in case you have to top off the oil while on the road. Only if the level of the oil is at or below minimum and no oil that meets Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00 is available, may you top off with a high quality oil, preferably synthetic-based that meets ACEA A3 specifications, but only in viscosity grades SAE 5W30, or SAE 0W40. However, between oil change intervals, never top off with more than a total of 0.5 quart (0.5 liter) engine oil that does not conform to Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00.
Note
•If you use engine oil that does not expressly conform to Volkswagen oil quality standard VW 502 00, very serious and very expensive damage to your vehicle’s engine canoccur.
Engine damage caused by using the wrong engine oil is not covered by your Limited New Vehicle Warranty.
Changing the engine oil The engine oil and oil filter must be changed according to the mileage and time intervals specified in your vehicle’s Maintenance Booklet. Do not exceed these intervals – harmful sludge and deposits from old engine oil can reduce engine performance and can lead to expensive engine repairs. Changing the oil at the recommended intervals is so very important because the lubricating properties of oil decrease gradually during normal vehicle use. If you are not sure when you have your oil changed, ask your authorized Volkswagen Service Advisor. Under some circumstances the engine oil should even be changed more frequently. Change oil more often if you drive mostly short distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or mostly under stop-and-go traffic conditions, or when you use your vehicle where temperatures stay below freezing point for long periods. Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the engine has been running for a short time. This is normal and is not a reason to change the oil more often than recommended.
Need more information?
For more information regarding the approved oil for your vehicle or the correct oil filter to use, please contact either your authorized VW dealer or VW Customer Care Center (toll free at 1-800-822-8987 or through our website at
www.vw.com). Here you will find a current list of oils (manufacturers, brand names, etc.) that conform to Volkswagen oil quality standards.
Note
•Always store an extra quart (liter) of engine oil in its original oil container that is securely closed. Make sure the container is securely stowed in the luggage compartment.