Help pick an engine oil for 2014 Skoda Superb 3.6 VR6

[hold_my_beer]

Hello, I am new to this forum and its my first VR6 engine (NA with direct-injection). I am from Lithuania (East Europe, one of the Baltic states). Climate here in summer varies from +15 to +30 C, in winter from +2 to -12 C (sometimes hit up to -25 for a week in mid winter). I need an advice on engine oil.
I just bought 2014/10 Skoda Superb 3.6 VR6 with 195k km (121k miles) on the clock. Previous owner changed his engine oil on prolonged intervals and been using 5W-30 MANNOL Longlife 504/507 7715 (PAO-containing) for past 5 years. I want to switch to 5W-40 for better engine protection as I like to drive in more sporty/spirited style and plan to change oil in fixed 9k - 10k km (5k - 6k miles) intervals. I need an advice on engine oil, I know that according to manual for fixed intervals oil must have VW 502 00 approval. Already looking into these:

1. Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5W-40 (PAO-containing)
2. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 (Group 3 GTL)
3. Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W-40 (PAO/Ester)

Any other suggestions (different viscosity like 0W40 or 10W40) or maybe these are good choices? Do I need to look for oil which also has API SP rating or any other indication for LSPI protection as its DI engine, but non turbo and large displacement?

 

[skyactiv]

Motul.

 

[Escape08]

All 3 will work

 

[edyvw]

Hello, I am new to this forum and its my first VR6 engine (NA with direct-injection). I am from Lithuania (East Europe, one of the Baltic states). Climate here in summer varies from +15 to +30 C, in winter from +2 to -12 C (sometimes hit up to -25 for a week in mid winter). I need an advice on engine oil.
I just bought 2014/10 Skoda Superb 3.6 VR6 with 195k km (121k miles) on the clock. Previous owner changed his engine oil on prolonged intervals and been using 5W-30 MANNOL Longlife 504/507 7715 (PAO-containing) for past 5 years. I want to switch to 5W-40 for better engine protection as I like to drive in more sporty/spirited style and plan to change oil in fixed 9k - 10k km (5k - 6k miles) intervals. I need an advice on engine oil, I know that according to manual for fixed intervals oil must have VW 502 00 approval. Already looking into these:

1. Liqui Moly Synthoil High Tech 5W-40 (PAO-containing)
2. Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 (Group 3 GTL)
3. Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W-40 (PAO/Ester)

Any other suggestions (different viscosity like 0W40 or 10W40) or maybe these are good choices? Do I need to look for oil which also has API SP rating or any other indication for LSPI protection as its DI engine, but non turbo and large displacement?

Go lighter, something 5W30 or 0W30. Sporty driving won’t do anything to that engine. If it was a track, yeah, XW40.
My choice would be Mobil1 ESP 0w30 or ESP 5W30 or Shell Helix ECT 0W30. Motul X-Clean+ 0W30 EFE is another good one.
Don’t forget, it is HTHS that matters, not grade. All these XW30 oils are VW504.00/507.00 which means minimum HTHS is 3.5cP.

 

[hold_my_beer]

Go lighter, something 5W30 or 0W30. Sporty driving won’t do anything to that engine. If it was a track, yeah, XW40.
My choice would be Mobil1 ESP 0w30 or ESP 5W30 or Shell Helix ECT 0W30. Motul X-Clean+ 0W30 EFE is another good one.
Don’t forget, it is HTHS that matters, not grade. All these XW30 oils are VW504.00/507.00 which means minimum HTHS is 3.5cP.

I'm leaning towards Motul. I have checked and both 5W40 and 5W30 cost similar (around 40 Euro for 5 liters). Is it safe to say that I can use either one but that Motul 8100 X-CESS G2 5W40 is capable way more than what it will be used for (in my case city/highway spirited driving) and its enough to use Motul 8100 X-CLEAN+ 5W-30? As you mentioned that both has good HTHS: 5W30 - 3.5cP. vs 5W40 - 3.8cP
I am worrying a bit for oil dilution as its DI engine and that's why I'm leaning more to XW40 as for its grade it has better Viscosity @100°C (5W30 - 11.8 cSt vs 5W40 13.5 cSt) so I assume that helps more to mitigate that possible oil dilution?
Also is it matter that Motul 5W40 has Mid to High SAPS 1.1% vs 5W30 0.68% Mid SAPS in regards that 5W40 will be less friendly to catalytic converter but as long as engine do not burn oil and I stick to short oil change intervals its not a big deal?

 

[goblin]

You also have Total and Elf there as well. Which we don't.

 

[edyvw]

I'm leaning towards Motul. I have checked and both 5W40 and 5W30 cost similar (around 40 Euro for 5 liters). Is it safe to say that I can use either one but that Motul 8100 X-CESS G2 5W40 is capable way more than what it will be used for (in my case city/highway spirited driving) and its enough to use Motul 8100 X-CLEAN+ 5W-30? As you mentioned that both has good HTHS: 5W30 - 3.5cP. vs 5W40 - 3.8cP
I am worrying a bit for oil dilution as its DI engine and that's why I'm leaning more to XW40 as for its grade it has better Viscosity @100°C (5W30 - 11.8 cSt vs 5W40 13.5 cSt) so I assume that helps more to mitigate that possible oil dilution?
Also is it matter that Motul 5W40 has Mid to High SAPS 1.1% vs 5W30 0.68% Mid SAPS in regards that 5W40 will be less friendly to catalytic converter but as long as engine do not burn oil and I stick to short oil change intervals its not a big deal?

3.6 here in the US has definiately dilution issues, and I always say, XW40 is way to go.
However, two things about SKoda:
1. It is EU engine, and injection is different than US models.
2. Gas is of higher quality.

If you will feel warmer around your heart, by all means, use XW40. You cannot go wrong. I sue that Motul, I used Mobil1 0W40, Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 (what you have as Shell Helix Pure Plus 5W40).
As for your spirited driving, you can't overwhelm the engine or oil on regular roads. It is just impossible. Whether you are using XW30 or XW40. Also, all these oils are catalytic converter friendly. All oils must be compliant with catalytic converters since, I believe, 1988. Only issue is, if you re burning a lot of oil, then it does not matter what oil you have.

 

[Kalle.J]

Fuchs and Total will most likely have best price with good specs.

Just choose C3 or A3/B4

 

[WeyounDS9]

I agree with your switch to a thicker oil
The VW VR6 was always famous of needing stout oils.
I remember when I had my 1994 VW Passat, puchased new, with the 2.8 l VR6 in it the summer recommendation was 20w-50 and the winter 15w-40.
Yes 15w-40 was the winter recommendation as VW did not want to risk film shear even in the winter.

Not sure if the evolved 3.6l version runs cooler oil or not, but if it doesnt you'd be well advised with thicker than manual oils.
I'd want an oil thats ACEA A3 rated.

 

[Kalle.J]

I agree with your switch to a thicker oil
The VW VR6 was always famous of needing stout oils.

Not sure if the evolved 3.6l version runs cooler oil or not, but if it doesnt you'd be well advised with thicker than manual oils.
I'd want an oil thats ACEA A3 rated.

Cheap Porsche A40
https://aeromotors.lt/kataloog/article/2739101/8311291-wolf

MB 229.5 +A40 BMW etc..
https://aeromotors.lt/kataloog/article/12598476/2198206-total-energies

New favorite shop for parts, oil and tyres.
They have 20L Ravenol boxes too.

 

[Kalle.J]

Any other suggestions (different viscosity like 0W40 or 10W40) or maybe these are good choices? Do I need to look for oil which also has API SP rating or any other indication for LSPI protection as its DI engine, but non turbo and large displacement?

Without turbo, not really.

 

[hold_my_beer]

Thank you all for your answers. I think I'll start with Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W40 and see how it goes. Spring has already started and temperatures are rising so my plan is to use it until late fall. If I find that Motul isn't necessary I may switch to Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 or Mobil 1 FS 0W40
I've also checked that Motul meets all the required approvals: VW 502 00, API SN (Motul website even indicates API SP, but technical specifications sheet lists SN) and ACEA A3.

 

[930.engineering]

I just bought 2014/10 Skoda Superb 3.6 VR6 with 195k km (121k miles) on the clock.

VW 504 00 or VW 511 00.

M1 ESP 0W-30 or ESP 5W-30 or M1 ESP X4 0W-40 or Shell Helix ECT 0W-30 or Shell Helix Ultra AV-L 0W-30 (same). If you love to spend more I'd consider Ravenol VMP 5W-30 or Ravenol RUP 5W-40 (had VW 511 00 before but no longer).
.

 

[hold_my_beer]

After reading this Automated calculator for the A_Harman index, VII content, and base-oil viscosity thread and reviewing various VOAs/UOAs, I am strongly considering one of the following oils:

1. Ravenol VMP 5W-30 (one of the best 5w30 oil according to HTFS and VII)
2. Motul 8100 X-clean+ 5W-30
3. Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30

Since the full-SAPS Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W-40 may not be necessary, a stout mid-SAPS 5W-30 should provide strong wear and possible oil dilution protection, while also improving fuel economy. The same thing was mention by @edyvw

Also that Ravenol ranked pretty high on https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

 

[hold_my_beer]

Also a bit off topic, but can I use the same Ravenol VMP 5W-30 on 2012 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 B5254T5 (bought it about 6 years ago from US auction)?
It has about 200k km (125k miles) on the clock, and a friend of mine has been driving it for the past four years. He has been using a Liqui Moly 0W-30 that meets ACEA A5/B5, as the Volvo dealer told him this rating is required. I believe Volvo specifies this mainly for fuel economy, as it offers less engine wear protection (HTHS ~3) compared to ACEA C3 oils.

 

[Kalle.J]

Also a bit off topic, but can I use the same Ravenol VMP 5W-30 on 2012 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 B5254T5 (bought it about 6 years ago from US auction)?
It has about 200k km (125k miles) on the clock, and a friend of mine has been driving it for the past four years. He has been using a Liqui Moly 0W-30 that meets ACEA A5/B5, as the Volvo dealer told him this rating is required. I believe Volvo specifies this mainly for fuel economy, as it offers less engine wear protection (HTHS ~3) compared to ACEA C3 oils.

Yeah will be fine. A5/B5 is recommended the Volvo fives all had A3/B4 before.