The manual contrasts "energy conserving" oils versus regular oils, all SAE SH, but not synthetic versus dino. (Unless "energy conserving" means "synthetic," but I have seen Castrol GTX with "energy conserving" on the label.) My reading of the chart is that any state-of-the-art dino heavier than 5w30 should be fine. The only admissible older conventional oils are pretty heavy, e.g. 15w40, which would give me some cold start wear concerns.quote:
Originally posted by moribundman:
... Check your manual, page 130. Read the second paragraph from the bottom. It's printed bold. Also, look at the oil chart. Again, 5w30 and 10W-40 mineral oils are allowed only at ambient temps up to 59 F in the 12v.
John, I'm familiar enough with the VW/Auid oil charts to know which oils they mean. It's a bit unclear in the US version of the manual.quote:
The manual contrasts "energy conserving" oils versus regular oils, all SAE SH, but not synthetic versus dino. (Unless "energy conserving" means "synthetic," but I have seen Castrol GTX with "energy conserving" on the label.) My reading of the chart is that any state-of-the-art dino heavier than 5w30 should be fine. The only admissible older conventional oils are pretty heavy, e.g. 15w40, which would give me some cold start wear concerns.
That's an understatement, and that's the sort of thing which got them in big (and completely preventable) trouble with the 1.8T "coke habit."quote:
Originally posted by moribundman:
I'm familiar enough with the VW/Auid oil charts to know which oils they mean. It's a bit unclear in the US version of the manual.
But how about TODAY's oils, such as a good "high-mileage" dino?quote:
"energy conserving" oils (column 1 were at that time (and still are) friction-modified oils that met VW 500.00 (now VW 502), and NONE of those oils were mineral oils.
I consider synthetic oil essential in my 1.8T, although there are some non-502.00 options I would consider safe. I consider synthetic oil a waste in my Dodge Stratus, which is on a tight OCI for city driving. I had put the Audi 2.8 12V in the same category as the Dodge, and the first owner (and his local Audi dealership) kept it on a steady diet of 10w30 conventional. I currently have a blend of HM and Group III "synthetic" in it, and based on your comments, I may stick with at least Group III oils from now on. I genuinely appreciate your inputs; I am a student on oil selection.quote:
The multiviscosity oil grades listed in column 2 were oils that met VW 501.01, a now defunct spec. VW does not even allow those oils anymore in newer motors.
Generally SL will have around 1000 ppm zinc and phosphorus, whereas SM will be more like 700 to 800. You can always boost the z and p with an add like CD2 Street Legal High Performance Oil Boost ($1.99 clearance at Big Lots!). Half a bottle should make SM into SL. A whole bottle is even better.quote:
Originally posted by JGmazda:
Does anyone know if 10w-40 oils contain more anti wear additives? Havoline is rated "SL" not "SM".