Engine oil for VW 3.0L V6 TDI?

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Feb 15, 2025
Messages
7
Hello all,

I own a v6 tdi Touareg that is deleted and straight piped, no emissions in tact. I’ve since switched from a 507 to 505 approval oil, also from a 5w30 to 5w40. I was initially using Liqui moly Toptec 4200 and am now running Liqui moly Leichlauft. However after lots of reading online I’m learning more and would therefore like to utilize a better oil. I’ve narrowed down my search to a few but some help from the experts is welcomed.

My plan was to switch to Ravenol VST however it’s not accessible within Canada and I would pay a killing in border fees to get it here. I’ve read some great things about Schaeffers and was debating between their supreme 9000 otr 5w40 which is a specific diesel oil with some good specs or their full saps advanced euro oil which is only offered in 5w30. I don’t necessarily require the added detergents as soot is no longer being pumped back into the engine and am thinking longevity of the engine. I’ve also seen motul xcess gen2 5w40 talked highly about and was debating utilizing that as my other vehicle is a 2.5T Mazda which is 5w30 standard but don’t mind a 40 weight, also a single oil between both vehicles wouldn’t be the worst thing. But as mentioned an oil for my VW may not fair well with the 2.5T which has a catalytic converter so seperate is fine as well if it means more protection for my TDI.

Some help from the experts with an explanation as to why or why not would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks. Tech sheets added for convenience.

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You don't need a CK-4 oil. What i recommend would be a C3 compatible 5w-40 or 0w-40. I'm not certain though if that would meet VW specification but going to a 40 grade would probably suffice. C3 would work ok for your Mazda to boot.
 
Does your TDI still has SCR/DPF?
Oils you mentioned are appropriate for Mazda or any vehicle with catalytic converter.
 
Does your TDI still has SCR/DPF?
Oils you mentioned are appropriate for Mazda or any vehicle with catalytic converter.
It has no emissions equipment on it which opens up my options. I was hoping to pick your brain specifically! I see you’re quite the guru from what I’ve been reading thus far. My main concern is in fact the Touareg.
 
It has no emissions equipment on it which opens up my options. I was hoping to pick your brain specifically! I see you’re quite the guru from what I’ve been reading thus far. My main concern is in fact the Touareg.
I am not big fan of Liqui Moly, that is for sure.
But you might be overthinking when it comes to grades. HTHS is what matters. So, for example Motul X-Clean 5W40 GEN2 has HTHS of 3.9cP out of KV100 13.3cst. That is really good result for regular street oil. It is VW511.00 which is basically VW504.00/507.00 in 40 grade.
Mobil1 ESP 0W40 X4 is another one.
If you really want something special, check Redline, HPL, Amsoil. But, do you really need it? I am assuming you are dealing with cold winters. Lighter oil is better in cold winters protection wise than heavier. Something like MotoMaster 0W30 Euro is IMO best bet for you. You want lighter oil in colder weather. I used in my X5 35d Mobil1 ESP 5W30 here in CO, among others. Probably was my favorite oil. I now use Castrol Edge 0W30 in my BMW which I track in summer (I do use XW40 on track). Remember rule: as thin as possible, as thick as necessary. Do you really need anything better than Motomaster 0W30 or 0W40, which are anyway repackaged Pennzoil products? Motomaster Euro 5W40 is repackaged Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 that has HTHS around 3.88cP. I used it on track. Exceptional oil.
To be honest,if it was me, I would check MotoMaster line up. Cold Weather? 0W30. Summers? 5W40.
 
I am not big fan of Liqui Moly, that is for sure.
But you might be overthinking when it comes to grades. HTHS is what matters. So, for example Motul X-Clean 5W40 GEN2 has HTHS of 3.9cP out of KV100 13.3cst. That is really good result for regular street oil. It is VW511.00 which is basically VW504.00/507.00 in 40 grade.
Mobil1 ESP 0W40 X4 is another one.
If you really want something special, check Redline, HPL, Amsoil. But, do you really need it? I am assuming you are dealing with cold winters. Lighter oil is better in cold winters protection wise than heavier. Something like MotoMaster 0W30 Euro is IMO best bet for you. You want lighter oil in colder weather. I used in my X5 35d Mobil1 ESP 5W30 here in CO, among others. Probably was my favorite oil. I now use Castrol Edge 0W30 in my BMW which I track in summer (I do use XW40 on track). Remember rule: as thin as possible, as thick as necessary. Do you really need anything better than Motomaster 0W30 or 0W40, which are anyway repackaged Pennzoil products? Motomaster Euro 5W40 is repackaged Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 that has HTHS around 3.88cP. I used it on track. Exceptional oil.
To be honest,if it was me, I would check MotoMaster line up. Cold Weather? 0W30. Summers? 5W40.
Do I need better no? Do I want better, yes. Amsoil would likely be the easiest to obtain out of the three you mentioned. But I’m all for shopping at Canadian tire and getting more CT money at the end of the day. All I do is overthink and research, it’s what keeps me up at night. Thanks for the input edy.
 
I wonder if PetroCan's Duron line would work? They make great oils and are Canadian.

Seeing as I am on the Prairies, I run Co-op oils. Sure my 6.7 Cummins is a bit of a different engine, it's still a diesel engine. Co-op is Canadian oil refined in Regina. Their synthetics are essentially all group 4 based.

On a side note, there is a local guy running around with a deleted X5 and it sounds amazing.
 
I wonder if PetroCan's Duron line would work? They make great oils and are Canadian.

Seeing as I am on the Prairies, I run Co-op oils. Sure my 6.7 Cummins is a bit of a different engine, it's still a diesel engine. Co-op is Canadian oil refined in Regina. Their synthetics are essentially all group 4 based.

On a side note, there is a local guy running around with a deleted X5 and it sounds amazing.
They actually make both 507 and 505 approved oils under their Supreme Synthetic line:
https://petrocanadalubricants.com/en-ca/brand/supreme-synthetic-for-european-cars
 
Do I need better no? Do I want better, yes. Amsoil would likely be the easiest to obtain out of the three you mentioned. But I’m all for shopping at Canadian tire and getting more CT money at the end of the day. All I do is overthink and research, it’s what keeps me up at night. Thanks for the input edy.
It is hard to quantify “better.” Just because something is more expensive and hard to get, doesn’t mean it is better.
I have access to all those oils, but I get approved, readily available stuff.
 
I own a v6 tdi Touareg that is deleted and straight piped, no emissions in tact.
I don't know why you would advertise this bit, unless you want the EPA knocking at your door. The fines are steep for tampering with emissions equipment, and anonymity is not guaranteed on the Internet.

As for a robust oil for your engine, I recommend Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck. It's like $27/gallon.

This is what the jug looks like and you can find it online at Walmart and Amazon:

1739730024497.webp


Oil Specs:

1739730167621.webp


Yes, it beats the light duty Diesel/dual rated motor oils out there, all of them.
 
I don't know why you would advertise this bit, unless you want the EPA knocking at your door. The fines are steep for tampering with emissions equipment, and anonymity is not guaranteed on the Internet.

As for a robust oil for your engine, I recommend Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck. It's like $27/gallon.

This is what the jug looks like and you can find it online at Walmart and Amazon:

View attachment 263750

Oil Specs:

View attachment 263751

Yes, it beats the light duty Diesel/dual rated motor oils out there, all of them.
1. He is in Canada.
2. How does it "beat?" I really want to hear this.
 
@OVERKILL i completely overlooked those products from Petro!

@lakestone it looks like he is in Canada. Things are a bit different on the emissions scene. While I cannot comment on the commercial vehicle side, here in Saskatchewan, there is no emissions testing on light vehicles. While technically illegal, there is no enforcement on that side either. The reality is, intricate emissions systems do not fair well in our climate. It's currently -35c and by weekend it's supposed to be melting. I know a lot of farmers and ranchers that work their diesels year round and very few make it past warranty with a working emissions system.
 
It is hard to quantify “better.” Just because something is more expensive and hard to get, doesn’t mean it is better.
I have access to all those oils, but I get approved, readily available stuff.
I am not big fan of Liqui Moly, that is for sure.
But you might be overthinking when it comes to grades. HTHS is what matters. So, for example Motul X-Clean 5W40 GEN2 has HTHS of 3.9cP out of KV100 13.3cst. That is really good result for regular street oil. It is VW511.00 which is basically VW504.00/507.00 in 40 grade.
Mobil1 ESP 0W40 X4 is another one.
If you really want something special, check Redline, HPL, Amsoil. But, do you really need it? I am assuming you are dealing with cold winters. Lighter oil is better in cold winters protection wise than heavier. Something like MotoMaster 0W30 Euro is IMO best bet for you. You want lighter oil in colder weather. I used in my X5 35d Mobil1 ESP 5W30 here in CO, among others. Probably was my favorite oil. I now use Castrol Edge 0W30 in my BMW which I track in summer (I do use XW40 on track). Remember rule: as thin as possible, as thick as necessary. Do you really need anything better than Motomaster 0W30 or 0W40, which are anyway repackaged Pennzoil products? Motomaster Euro 5W40 is repackaged Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 that has HTHS around 3.88cP. I used it

It is hard to quantify “better.” Just because something is more expensive and hard to get, doesn’t mean it is better.
I have access to all those oils, but I get approved, readily available stuff.
Yeah that makes sense, most of the oils I’ve come across are emissions friendly and low saps. With not having to worry about that would a full saps oil benefit me and improve wear over a low saps?
 
I don't know why you would advertise this bit, unless you want the EPA knocking at your door. The fines are steep for tampering with emissions equipment, and anonymity is not guaranteed on the Internet.

As for a robust oil for your engine, I recommend Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck. It's like $27/gallon.

This is what the jug looks like and you can find it online at Walmart and Amazon:

View attachment 263750

Oil Specs:

View attachment 263751

Yes, it beats the light duty Diesel/dual rated motor oils out there, all of them.
Yeah I’ve read up on it including delvac, the vehicle in question is subjected to off-road duty only might I add. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I wonder if PetroCan's Duron line would work? They make great oils and are Canadian.

Seeing as I am on the Prairies, I run Co-op oils. Sure my 6.7 Cummins is a bit of a different engine, it's still a diesel engine. Co-op is Canadian oil refined in Regina. Their synthetics are essentially all group 4 based.

On a side note, there is a local guy running around with a deleted X5 and it sounds amazing.
I would love a v8 diesel one of these days, I don’t get the same turbo spool and howl of the turbo veins like they do. Appreciate the suggestion I’ll look more into it. The BMW 6 cylinder diesels do sound pretty good, better than the VW offerings not that mine sounds bad by any stretch!
 
I’ll have to look into this and see how easily obtainable it may be. They’re one of our customers through work. We supply them with rail cars of different grades of gas and diesel.
Any Petro-Canada fuels distributor can get the oil and it's generally very reasonably priced. For a while I was buying various cases of the stuff.
 
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