Amsoil 502.00 approved Oils

[The Critic]

I just noticed that the following Amsoil Products carry VW 502.00 approval, at least they claim to "meet or exceed" the 502.00 spec. Not sure if that means that it carries 502.00 approval:

1. Amsoil ASL 5w30
2. Amsoil ATM 10w30
3. Amsoil AFL 5W-40
4. Amsoil TSO Series 2000 0w30 (Listed in Flyer)
5. Amsoil HDD Series 3000 5w30 (Listed on website)

Michael

 

[wavinwayne]

While the Amsoil products you listed may indeed exceed the VW 502.00 spec., they are not on VW's list of 502.00 approved oils available in North America.

I'm not trying to knock Amsoil, though. Just about everyone who uses Amsoil loves it, so it must be good stuff.

 

[darkdan]

Yeah, tests are expensive.

 

[Gene K]

If it is like with M-B 229.3 the oil is on the International Lists but not on the US list because the US Distributor requires API Certification which it does not have.

Gene

 

[glxpassat]

quote:

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While the Amsoil products you listed may indeed exceed the VW 502.00 spec., they are not on VW's list of 502.00 approved oils available in North America.

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You know, I don't think GC is on the list of approved oils either, but it lists the 502 and 503.01 specs on the back.

 

[TooSlick]

The additive chemistry Amsoil uses is developed jointly with Lubrizol Corp, (the largest oil additive company in the world) for use with their specific basestock blends. It is Lubrizol that does most of the actual engine sequence testing at places like Southwest Research Institute or at their own in house lab. It is standard practice for the oil additive companies to do most of this testing when new API or ACEA specs come out.

Amsoil then takes an additive package that has passed these various European specs (using a standard reference oil) and continues to modify it at their in-house test facilities until they are satisfied with the performance.

Amsoil has the documention on file showing that their formulations meet or exceed the specs listed on the label.

I've used and sold Amsoil for VW/Audi applications since 1980. It works flawlessly in all these motors, including the 1.8L, 225 Hp turbo in my 2002 Audi TT Quattro. I also have 227,000 miles on my 1990 Audi 100; averaging 12k-15k between changes and the engine burns no oil to speak of.

Tooslick

 

[Pick]

Lubrizol is a cool place. I have many friends and relatives that used work in the Painesville, Ohio and Wickliffe, Ohio plants. They do the engine testing in Wickliffe. Painesville, is like a mini refinery where they make a lot of the additives. They used to use a lot of 10W oil, which I assume is the base for most of their additives. That may have changed over the years.

I had a friend, who's neighbor worked there. He used to bring gallons of what he called "STP" home and my friend used to run the stuff 100% in his Corvair back in the 70s.

 

[goodvibes]

I certainly wouldn't hesitate with Amsoil once the warranty was up.

 

[jthorner]

quote:

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not on VW's list of 502.00 approved oils available in North America

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Considering the many quality problems VW has been having in recent years and the less than stellar "customer focus" at VWOA I would not give a nickel for VWOA's "approval".


John

 

[Ken2]

I think VW's problem of sluding in the 1.8 turbo engines was mainy due to VWoA not requiring the dealerships to use the specified oil. The local dealership used cheap bulk 5w30, not the 502.00 approved synthetic 5W-40.


Ken