M1 5W-40 TDT, 9,000 miles, 01 VW Beetle

[Finklejag]

This is my brothers car. It was my mothers car for 8 years. I bought all the oil and filters for her. She drove 38,000 in the 8 years. I did 6 month OCI's for the first 7 years. The car started off with Delvac 1 for the first three years. I then used 76 Synthetic 5W-40 for two OCI's in one year. Then I went to RTS 5W-40 for the next three years. The last OCI of a year long was with Castrol Syntec 5W-40.

My brother's first OCI was M1 5W-40 TDT also. I told him to wait unitl the second OCI before getting a UOA. He drives 70 miles roundtrip, all highway to work in Sonoma County, CA.

2001 VW Beetle 2.0 8V
Miles on car: 54,000
Miles on oil: 9,000
Oil filter : Mobil 1 EP
Make up oil: 2 quarts

 

[Gary Allan]

I'll take it this was a 6 month OCI too? I see no reason to change it at this interval with this product. I think it could manage one year. I guess he could add 50% to the goal line in some progressive manner ..9months.

Edit: as is en vogue lately - and always assumed to be neglected, have him check or fine (and often complex) Teutonic PCV system for fitness and function ..even though I don't find the consumption in excess.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Good report. Look similar to my UOA of 10K miles on RTS on our Jetta, except the oil was in service 14 months. Your iron level looks better though...

 

[daman]

Could do 10,000 no problem,good tbn nice 40w still,you found your oil.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

These group III oils are just amazing. Most of the time 5$ and under a quart. The oil is starting to thicken. I would service and try 12K next time. Try the green cap 0w30wt as well.

 

[tig1]

Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
These group III oils are just amazing. Most of the time 5$ and under a quart. The oil is starting to thicken. I would service and try 12K next time. Try the green cap 0w30wt as well.


Grp 3?? Please explain where you find this. Thanks.

 

[Finklejag]

The only thing that confuses me is the viscosity @100c. The TDT is 14.9 @100c. Why are they showing the Viscosity of of a 5W-40 between 11.6-13.7?

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Finklejag
The only thing that confuses me is the viscosity @100c. The TDT is 14.9 @100c. Why are they showing the Viscosity of of a 5W-40 between 11.6-13.7?


That's the composite of all samples presented for this engine or chassis ..same as the rest of the numbers ...except that they give you the high-low on it.

Oils over the universal average of miles had viscs that range from x-X, with flash points that were >Y, etc..etc..etc.

 

[buster]

You could probably go 15k+ on this combo.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: tig1
Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
These group III oils are just amazing. Most of the time 5$ and under a quart. The oil is starting to thicken. I would service and try 12K next time. Try the green cap 0w30wt as well.


Grp 3?? Please explain where you find this. Thanks.


Indeed.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

It's a long story guys....had too been around a while. I am sure that some esters as well are mixed with the group III product. It's like Amsoil's group III offering.

 

[addyguy]

I know that VW 2.0's are known for oil consumption, but 2 quarts of a high-quality, 40wt. HDEO seem like a lot to me. At least, it's a more expensive regime to keep up.

I'd move to Rotella 'T6' 5W-40 to get good protection, and save some cash.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know that VW 2.0's are known for oil consumption, but 2 quarts of a high-quality, 40wt. HDEO seem like a lot to me. At least, it's a more expensive regime to keep up.

It's not ideal, but I'm not sure I'd say it's a lot either. That's basically 1 qt very 4500 miles or less than 1/4 qt per 1000 miles. You do have to keep an eye on it, I won't argue with that.

On that model year, one of the gaskets (I forget which one) was installed up side down at the factory, thus causing increased oil consumption.

 

[BobFout]

That is really low Fe for a VAG 4-pot considering the interval.

 

[Auto-Union]

Don't you know an oil without VW specs will destroy your engine?

 

[webfors]

Originally Posted By: Auto-Union
Don't you know an oil without VW specs will destroy your engine?


TDT is one of my favorites and will often perform above and beyond it's specs/certs. Just wish it was less expensive.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I know that VW 2.0's are known for oil consumption, but 2 quarts of a high-quality, 40wt. HDEO seem like a lot to me. At least, it's a more expensive regime to keep up.

It's not ideal, but I'm not sure I'd say it's a lot either. That's basically 1 qt very 4500 miles or less than 1/4 qt per 1000 miles. You do have to keep an eye on it, I won't argue with that.

On that model year, one of the gaskets (I forget which one) was installed up side down at the factory, thus causing increased oil consumption.


I think it was one of the piston rings. Of course VW just said 1 qt in 1000km was reasonable, rather than fixing the engines.

 

[AndyH]

Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
Try the green cap 0w30wt as well.

Me thinks that would be a bit on the thin side for a VAG engine!

 

[Nick R]

Do you hppen to have a UOA from the Syntec 5W-40?

 

[MrWideTires]

Why so thick? I used to use GC on my VW Beetle 2.0

Now I'm just using edge in it... 9.8cSt at 100C, no problems, it just increased my fuel mileage.