Amsoil 5w-40 for VW 502 Application

[edyvw]

@Pablo So based on this, the AFL wouldn’t be a good choice for my application despite having a higher kinetic viscosity at 100°C than EFM because it technically isn’t approved? That seems strange. Can you explain how Amsoil handles the “approved” vs “recommended” process?

That photo is usually what happens when generic “synthetic “ oil is used.
And what Q7? 3.6? 3.0T? 2.0T?

 

[Pablo]

@Pablo So based on this, the AFL wouldn’t be a good choice for my application despite having a higher kinetic viscosity at 100°C than EFM because it technically isn’t approved? That seems strange. Can you explain how Amsoil handles the “approved” vs “recommended” process?

EFM is approved so that helps some folks who have a certain mental anguish.

Not sure what you mean by "handles"? By their own choice Amsoil will get some oils approved, typically early in a series. If Amsoil recommends an oil, they know t will work in that application.

I have no idea what happened in that photo, so I will not speculate.

 

[Paralysisbyanalysis]

That photo is usually what happens when generic “synthetic “ oil is used.
And what Q7? 3.6? 3.0T? 2.0T?

3.0T

 

[edyvw]

3.0T

Run VW504.00/507.00. Only reason why VW recommended VW502.00 was high sulfur in gas. We have ultra low sulfur gas since 2017.
If you want Amsoil, you can go this one:
https://www.amsoil.com/p/sae-5w-30-ls-synthetic-european-motor-oil-ael/

 

[Vermess]

3.0T

For what it's worth, I run Amsoil Euro 5-40 in my s4 3.0t. Completely stopped a bit of chain rattle on startup, very minute. That was a relief. I also stopped getting timing pull between cylinders at wot. Can't explain why, it's just what happened.

Now I got a timing chain kit and all those special inverted tripple squares and tripple square sockets that I bought sitting on my work bench.

 

[FranklinJL]

Right or wrong, I put little faith in certifications and qualifications of motor oil. Instead, I'd much rather know the additive package of the oil, the base stock, the TBN, the viscosity at various temperatures, the pour point, the HTHS and so on.

To many of us, it is pretty obvious that when using the manufacturer's spec, heck, even the oil they directly sell, and by following the OLM or published oil change intervals, one stands a non zero risk of a sludge'd up, varnished up, worn out timing chain, stuck piston ring experience, or some variant thereof.

My Jaguar has an 18,000 mile OCI, with a special 0W-20 Ti infused oil as an attempt at keeping the timing chain alive. You can imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth, when chains and bearings fail on these stupidly expensive engines. It comes as no surprise that a better choice is a more robust oil with adequate ZDDP, a healthy TBN, an HTHS well into the mid 3's and up, and 5000 mile oil change intervals.

Following the BMW requirements to the letter:

View attachment 175300

Again, I'd choose the oil with the better additive package, and likely the one with the higher HTHS.

VW is famous for strictly requiring a specific, non robust oil, the PD engines come to mind, then "allowing" oh, say, a 507.00 oil in future publications. After innumerable engines suffered unnecessary and predictable failures. A great number of us moved to Mobil 1, 5W-40 TDT in an attempt at using a more robust oil. Worked out very well.

100% correct brotha

 

[FranklinJL]

Any of the Amsoil Euros will work just fine. I use the Euro 0w40......its a little thin at 13.3 at 100c, but its HTHS is still 3.7 so its got a great base stock. It's got a bit of ester as well. Another option is the SS 0w40. Its a little heavier at 14.8 at 100c, HTHS is 3.76......either way you'll be good, Amsoil does make a good product

 

[kschachn]

@Pablo So based on this, the AFL wouldn’t be a good choice for my application despite having a higher kinetic viscosity at 100°C than EFM because it technically isn’t approved? That seems strange. Can you explain how Amsoil handles the “approved” vs “recommended” process?

Based on what? A random picture of unknown origin with no verifiable background information?

 

[Paralysisbyanalysis]

Comparing Amsoil EFM to AFL:

EFM has a kinematic viscosity @ 100°C of 13.6, with a HTHS of 3.7. Preferred pricing at $8.89/qt.

AFL has a kinematic viscosity @ 100°C of 14.3, with a HTHS of 3.8. Preferred pricing at $11.89/qt.

Is the slightly higher HTHS and viscosity worth the extra 34% in cost? Both EFM and AFL have a higher viscosity at 100°C compared to the Motul that’s currently in the engine so that’s a win regardless.

 

[TiGeo]

Picture of what happens when user users Supertech 5W30 in a Euro engine for 10K mile OCIs.

 

[kschachn]

Comparing Amsoil EFM to AFL:

EFM has a kinematic viscosity @ 100°C of 13.6, with a HTHS of 3.7. Preferred pricing at $8.89/qt.

AFL has a kinematic viscosity @ 100°C of 14.3, with a HTHS of 3.8. Preferred pricing at $11.89/qt.

Is the slightly higher HTHS and viscosity worth the extra 34% in cost? Both EFM and AFL have a higher viscosity at 100°C compared to the Motul that’s currently in the engine so that’s a win regardless.

That won't make a bit of difference in this context.

 

[Paralysisbyanalysis]

For what it's worth, I run Amsoil Euro 5-40 in my s4 3.0t. Completely stopped a bit of chain rattle on startup, very minute. That was a relief. I also stopped getting timing pull between cylinders at wot. Can't explain why, it's just what happened.

Now I got a timing chain kit and all those special inverted tripple squares and tripple square sockets that I bought sitting on my work bench.

Which 5w-40 are you running? EFM or AFL?
Black or red label

 

[TiGeo]

While you can use either the low or higher SAPS Euro oils, I'd go with the one called for but that's me so EFM/5W40.

 

[TiGeo]

DELETED

 

[Vermess]

Which 5w-40 are you running? EFM or AFL?
Black or red label

Thank you for reminding me that I forgot to take the oil to be recycled. Penciled in for Monday.

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

What year is this Q7? I'm partial to Liqui Moly. Fun fact: though my Audi doesn't mention this anywhere in the manual, on the oil cap is stamped "Castrol Recommended".

 

[Paralysisbyanalysis]

What year is this Q7? I'm partial to Liqui Moly. Fun fact: though my Audi doesn't mention this anywhere in the manual, on the oil cap is stamped "Castrol Recommended".

2017

 

[BrainThicknessVariation]

I’m trying to decide which is the best oil for my Audi Q7 requiring VW 502 oil. Based on my interpretation of the Amsoil data sheet attached, the EFM variant is the only one that has the actual VW 502 approval. The AFL version is “recommended for applications requiring VW 502” but doesn’t say it has the actual approval.

Can anyone shed some light on this? I know one is full SAPS and the other isn’t. I’m not sure what level of SAPS is most beneficial for my application (3.0T supercharged).

@Pablo can you chime in from Amsoil’s perspective?

I appreciate it!

For now I’m not considering other oils, I’ve always gone between Motul and Amsoil for my vehicles and I intend on staying in those two camps.

Just out of curiosity, do Amsoil EFM have 502 approval? Your first post says they do, but I cannot confirm it. Here is that same Data Bulletin. Notice anything different? Also, their website do not have the backside of the bottles pictured. In fact if you Google around, it's oddly difficult to find any updated pictures of the back of an Amsoil bottle.

This is literally the only picture I could find. On the front it still has the "Engineered for...". On the back it does clearly show 502/505 approval. I don't know if this is an older bottle or what. I also don't know why they wouldn't just stamp on the front the specifications rather than the "Engineered for" garble.