Looking for VW options

[sabresfan]

I have a VW 1.8T and an Audi 2.8L. I run Mobil 1 or Castrol 0-30 (german) in each. Of course I am tired of paying $8/quart because I change my oil every 4K religiously. I try to stick with oils that are approved for VW. It made me wonder if those oils are really necessary with a 4K change interval? Do VW approved oils contain anything critical the others don't? Am I crazy not to run cheaper oil with a 4K change interval? I only use full synthetic, no exceptions.

thanks in advance!

 

[BTLew81]

You'll get a lot of opinions, many of them fact based.

First, extend your OCI unless you have good reason not to. Even on the 1.8, you should be able to do 7.5k on the oils you mention above.

Secondly, watch for sales. I know that AAP has GC on special right now.

Lastly, if Rotella T6 is cheaper, it is a good alternative, proper weight, HTHS, etc.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Well, why do you stick to changing your oil "every 4K religiously"? You can either extended the OCI somewhat or switch to a cheaper oil.

Mobil 1 0w-40 can be had for a little over $5/qt if you catch it on sale. It meets the VW spec. GC goes on similar sales at AZ or PepBoys, too.

Otherwise, there is Shell Rotella T 5w-40 which goes for around $21/gallon and should do the job as well, although it may be thicker than necessary in these applications.

 

[sabresfan]

cool, good advice...thanks BT. I am just too "old school" to go any longer. It was terribly difficult for me to go from 3K to 4K but with the switch to full synthetic, my mechanic said it was ok. I drive these things until the wheels fall off so I want the motor to last for at least 200K. I won't likely extend my OCI but like the original post suggests, I would consider a cheaper oil, like Peak, if folks that know what they are talking about tell me that it is ok. I just get nervous putting something in that is NOT designed for VW. I don't want to deprive the engine (or turbo) of a vital lubricant that it needs, resulting in excessive wear, etc, etc...

 

[JHZR2]

Recommended that a friend take his 01 GTI over to 0w-40 M1 back in the day. last I saw it before he sold it, we were doing work on it at 176k and it still ran great. he was doing 10k OCIs with mostly highway use.

 

[bruno]

I buy Mobil 1 0w40 for $2 a quart cheaper at WalMart compared to Advance , Pep Boys or Autozone .

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: bruno
I buy Mobil 1 0w40 for $2 a quart cheaper at WalMart compared to Advance , Pep Boys or Autozone .


if you dont like walmart, AAP and AZ run their monthly sales
for 5qt+filter its about the same as walmart or slightly cheaper sometimes.

 

[fdcg27]

There are those who run ordinary 5w30 syns in these cars on shortish drains.
There is a now-banned member who posted a number of used oil analysis of ordinary API spc non A3 5w30 syns that had been run for short intervals, although longer than 4K, with very good results.
It would not hurt you to try a 4K run of 5w30 Plat, Ultra or Quaker State Ultimate Durability and then UOA it to see how the oil does in your engines.
This is just a thought I'm sharing, although I'd probably try it myself.

 

[tstep]

I have my sons 1.8t w/ 180k+ miles running on 55% G-Oil (HTHS 3.2) spiked w/ 45% Castrol 5w-50 (HTHS guess 4.3 min?) so the HTHS is should be comfortably above the min 3.5 and it is moderately thin on startup (KV40 around 76ish, very close to mobil 1 0w-40 KV40 of 75). He is about 1000 miles into the run and he said it is running very well quieting the sewing machine sounding startup.

Both were on sale w/ G-oil nearly free and the Castrol was either $4or$5 a quart, so an under $15 oil change using a Purolator/Mann L40316 oversized filter for extra sump capacity. I figure on changing out at 5k since the G-Oil seems to give up around that point. Depending on this run, I'll probably go to a slightly thinner ratio for the winter.

Another thought I was considering was the Napa brand 15w-50 cut w/ 5w30 in a 50-50 ratio. Concensus is the same as Valvoline w/ a slightly lesser addpack, but still good for 5k without any concern. At $3.49/qt on sale for August, this is not a bad option.

My biggest concern about running conventional oil is coking in the turbo or the possibility of any additional sludge accumulation in the engine. We bought it used and it was being run on Castrol Synblend 10w-40. There is a bit of sludge visible thru the oil fill, btu the shorter oci are cleaning things up.

 

[ac_tc]

dont go with to long intervals on the 1.8T
they have a history of sludge in the pump screen
wich kills the engine at 80 or so kmiles.
Engines that have had the benefit of follw
a normal oci and not the so popular extended oci
seems to be safe.
But 4k seems a bit early..say 8k or so.
Othervize these engines runs well on ordinary hdeo.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: ac_tc
dont go with to long intervals on the 1.8T
they have a history of sludge in the pump screen
wich kills the engine at 80 or so kmiles.
Engines that have had the benefit of follw
a normal oci and not the so popular extended oci
seems to be safe.
But 4k seems a bit early..say 8k or so.
Othervize these engines runs well on ordinary hdeo.


The 1.8T has 5000 mile intervals.

the sludge issue was isolated only to the longitudinal 1.8T, which its reduced crankcase capacity AND dealerships using Castrol GTX 5w30.

 

[zanzabar]

Excellent used oil analysis on my 1.8T Passat running straight G-Oil. Mind you, G-Oil is on the thicker side for a 5-30 and despite all the hysteria over it thinning out or shearing and losing TBN quickly we have yet to see accelerated wear metals in any UOA from any vehicle. I would not recommend a 30wt oil for these cars, but certain ones like Redline, GC, and G-Oil seem to do very well. And I agree whole heartedly to not extend the OCI too far past 5000 miles unless you're driving mostly highway and are using a very stout oil.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: sabresfan
I have a VW 1.8T and an Audi 2.8L. I run Mobil 1 or Castrol 0-30 (german) in each. Of course I am tired of paying $8/quart because I change my oil every 4K religiously. I try to stick with oils that are approved for VW. It made me wonder if those oils are really necessary with a 4K change interval? Do VW approved oils contain anything critical the others don't? Am I crazy not to run cheaper oil with a 4K change interval? I only use full synthetic, no exceptions.

thanks in advance!

It is not necessary every 4K, especially on 2.8.
I changed GC on my 1.8T every 8K, no issues what so ever.
Stick to that oil, just prolong OCI!

 

[tstep]

Originally Posted By: zanzabar
Excellent used oil analysis on my 1.8T Passat running straight G-Oil. Mind you, G-Oil is on the thicker side for a 5-30 and despite all the hysteria over it thinning out or shearing and losing TBN quickly we have yet to see accelerated wear metals in any UOA from any vehicle. I would not recommend a 30wt oil for these cars, but certain ones like Redline, GC, and G-Oil seem to do very well. And I agree whole heartedly to not extend the OCI too far past 5000 miles unless you're driving mostly highway and are using a very stout oil.


I'm looking forward to your next uoa for the G-Oil/1.8t combination. I would have gone straight G-Oil, but I do not drive the 1.8t daily to catch a problem (if there would be one) so I gave my son (the daily driver) a safe mix.

 

[adolan21]

What about Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic 5w40? I think petroleum service has it for around $60 for a case of 12 after shipping (shipped to me) it is VW 502 approved and Kendall makes good oil if you're having a hard time finding Mobil 1 0W40 in jugs or on sale.

 

[dbrowne1]

I've owned 2 1.8Ts and put almost 150K miles on each, both performance chipped and more. One transverse, one longitudinal. 5K OCIs on both.

I would stick with GC 0w30 and buy it on sale. It produced, quite noticeably, the best MPG out of any oil I used. Mobil 1 0W-40 is OK as well, and in fact even Mobil 1 5W30 is fine (I ran one interval on it and the used oil analysis was almost no different than the 0W-40 in all regards).

I also used Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40 a few times - no issues but noticeable drop in MPG and subjectively more resistance/drag from it. One of my 1.8Ts developed multiple bad valve cover gasket leaks after running Rotella T6. I can't say it was the cause, but the timing sure was suspicious and it had the same efficiency issues as the Mobil 1 5W-40.

 

[dparm]

$8/qt? Shop smarter. You can always get one of the approved-oils for $6/qt or less. Just look at which of the big auto parts stores is running a change special at the time.

The rotation will typically be one of the following: Valvoline SynPower, Castrol Syntec, Mobil 1, or even Kendall GT1.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: DireStraits
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: ac_tc
dont go with to long intervals on the 1.8T
they have a history of sludge in the pump screen
wich kills the engine at 80 or so kmiles.
Engines that have had the benefit of follw
a normal oci and not the so popular extended oci
seems to be safe.
But 4k seems a bit early..say 8k or so.
Othervize these engines runs well on ordinary hdeo.




The 1.8T has 5000 mile intervals.

the sludge issue was isolated only to the longitudinal 1.8T, which its reduced crankcase capacity AND dealerships using Castrol GTX 5w30.


An "odd" PCV system was partly to blame too.

Enlighten me, what was the problem with the Castrol GTX?


YOu're an Amsoil jobber..... look to the Amsoil advertising materials to see why conventional oil is inferior to Amsoil