Farm Rated: Extreme Duty 5W-40 Synthetic Blend Dsl

[Brons2]

Another vote for Mobil 1 0w40.

This guy seems to start his TDI pretty well with it at -20c/-4F:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBVtrr_vpfA

 

[jjblbi]

You could try two cycles of the glow plugs before cranking, this adds additional heat to the chamber. It might be a good idea to check your timing as well. Good luck, John

 

[Cardenio327]

Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Also, is this brand of oil something folks have heard of? What is it that would make you choose "Farm Rated: Extreme Duty" for a older diesel New Beetle."


^^Well said^^

OP, you said it is made by Citgo, didn't you? That would make it Hugo Chavez's special stuff. You get what you pay for. A Quaker State engineer once told me, don't pay attention to the brand of the oil, but be sure to use the best oil you can afford for your application.

Also, take a long hard look at your battery cables, they are usually too small when a car is new, and get worse with age.

 

[51Plymouth]

If you want a non-scientific easy test of the oil, pull the dipstick some very cold morning before starting the car. Notice and feel the oil on the end of the dipstick. If it has the feel of melted cheese or contact cement, it might be too thick for the job.
For comparison, just compare it with some other brand of similar grade oil left outside in its jug overnight.