Originally Posted By: wavinwayne
Originally Posted By: jhenle
Precisely. The manual says VW 502.00. It doesn't say anywhere "nothing but 5W-40."
My '00 VW GTI manual specifically states that 5w40 oil meeting VW 502.00 is to be used, unless it is not available. In that case, the manual states that 5w30 can be used, so long as it meets VW 502.00.
There is some fine print at the bottom of the page that states that if neither 5w40 nor 5w30 is available, to use an oil of the proper viscosity for the climate in which the vehicle is to be operated, and that said oil should meet VW 502.00.
Just because a 10-year-old owners manual refers to an obsolete specification, or fails to state that synthetic oil is required or at least strongly recommended, is no reason not to use the best currently-available oil that is suitable.
And for those whose engines are still under warranty, that goes double. Use a 504.00/507.00 rated oil instead of a 502.00, because it's better. A couple dollars every 5k or 10k miles is cheaper than a replacement engine, when the original one should have lasted much longer.
Personally, I would not use GC 0w30 or M1 0w40. There are better oils out there.