conventional oil for VW 2.0

[huffmuds9320]

Yeah I know many people recommend to use full synthetic for the VW. I got a 02 VW Jetta GLS 2.0 so its not a high performance engine and I don't think synthetic is required for this engine. I would like to do 3000-5000 intervals using conventional oil. So which do would you recommend me to use? 5w30, 10w30, 10W-40, 15w40, 20W-50? By the way the car doesn't consume too much oil. I was thinking about using 15w40, but not sure if it will really drop my gas mileage or affect catalyst activity. Thanks for any replies.

 

[quadrun1]

With your climate (never gets below freezing, correct?), I'd go with a good 10w30 year 'round, something like Chevron Supreme or Pennzoil w/Purebase.

And use original VW oil filters, they're probably made by a good company like Mann or Mahle.

 

[huffmuds9320]

Doesn't get very cold here in SF, lowest probably in the 40s, and highs around 70s. The thing I wanted to get clarify is that if I use thicker than what they recommend, I heard something like it will not lubricate that well. And using a 10w30 instead of 5w30, would it reduce my fuel economy? Yes I use the Mann filters which is just like the VW OEM.

 

[jthorner]

Chevron 10w30 is readily available here in No. California and should work very well for you. I highly doubt that you will see any difference in fuel economy between a 5w30 and a 10w30. In theory they are both the same viscosity once at operating temperatures. The 10w30 is likely to be a little more stable than the 5w30, which is a good thing with the relatively small oil capacity of the VW.

Costco stocks Chevron Supreme by the case if you are so inclined.

John

 

[Audi Junkie]

Any 15w40 works. My BOSCH Mechanic uses Castrol RX 15w40 in all cars that do not get Syntec 5w-50. Pennzoil LL 15w40 was my pick for a friend's neglected 2001 VW 2.0.

 

[moribundman]

Anything but conventional 5w30...

About ambient temps in SF: we do get easily 90 degrees here in the summer. If you go to Marin, Sonoma, and Napa, you'll encounter over 100 degrees.

[ May 15, 2004, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: moribundman ]

 

[FowVay]

Here is what the factory service manual specifies for your 2.0 liter Jetta:

When using energy conserving oils (ie: friction modified):

For all temperatures:
5w30
5W-40
10W-30
10W-40

When using non-energy conserving oils:

For all temperatures:
5W-50
10W-50
10W-60

For temperatures below 15º C:
5w30
5W-40
10W-30
10W-40

For temperatures above -5º C:
15W-40
15W-50
20W-40
20W-50

These viscosities are directly out of the VW factory manual. I would use a 10w30 oil that has the 'energy conserving' mark in the API label - most likely I'd choose Pennzoil but that's just a personal preference.

Don't forget to do your 2 year brake fluid change since you're at the 2 year mark.

 

[huffmuds9320]

I guess I will use 10w30 for this car, since other car uses 10w30 a case of oil for both cars. Hey thanks for the reminder of the 2 year brake fluid change. The manual doesn't really make it clear on what other choices to use. Just says that the car was filled with 5W-40 and that you can use 5W-40. Then on the bottom says if 5W-40 or 5w30 was not avilable, then use any oils that works for your environment. Thanks for the above list, really gives an idea what is for the car. Factory manual must have a lot of information and goes beyond the user manual. The Mobil 1 and Castrol oil finder list a limited selection and different reccomendation. Better trust the list from the service manual. Again thanks for all the suggestions and advice.