More proof VW does not care about oil weight!

[rg200amp]

Went to my local VW dealer/service center to get the recall work done. For laughs, I decided to ask the service department what oil weight should I use. Even though I know weight does not matter and the VW spec does. I was wondering what the VW staff knew.

Turns out, VW has sent them training notices on how to inform people about oil selection. And weight was not covered. My service manager said VW does not require a oil weight, only spec. He also said customers have been asking this question so much so that VW had to send out cards to all there dealers. I picked one up! Here ya go:







Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[JHZR2]

SO????? No big deal. Those who dont care to know much of anything can buy the spec number oil and be fine with it. Folks who want to be a bit more informed may opt to choose a higher viscosity option meeting the spec if they think it jives with their use profile and load needs. Great. Meeting the VW spec means youre covered. All is good.

I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.

 

[hhu168]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


I would never buy a VW car exactly because of this.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
SO????? No big deal. Those who dont care to know much of anything can buy the spec number oil and be fine with it. Folks who want to be a bit more informed may opt to choose a higher viscosity option meeting the spec if they think it jives with their use profile and load needs. Great. Meeting the VW spec means youre covered. All is good.

I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


Yes. One can use 0w30, 5w40, 0w40, ect. . . . Whatever weight they want aslong as it meets the VW spec that there motor calls for.

There has been confusion in threads and questions popping up about what weight to use and/or saying VW only wants 5w40.

Just thought i'd share

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: hhu168
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


I would never buy a VW car exactly because of this.



Why?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[ahoier]

Corvette is the same way, and some other manufacturers, have certain "specs" that they require. Then it's up to the OIL manufacturer(s) to craft their oil to those "specs".....

Part of me, likes the whole idea, but then, on the other hand, sounds kinda "picky" if you ask me, to make an engine that "requires" certain spec'd oil.......in the end, I'm sure it all comes down to additives.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: ahoier
Corvette is the same way, and some other manufacturers, have certain "specs" that they require. Then it's up to the OIL manufacturer(s) to craft their oil to those "specs".....

Part of me, likes the whole idea, but then, on the other hand, sounds kinda "picky" if you ask me, to make an engine that "requires" certain spec'd oil.......in the end, I'm sure it all comes down to additives.



Well it not like the engine wont run on anything but speced oil.

But to be within VW guidelines for warranty sake and because it's what the engineers have found to work best, I will stick with it.

Most oil makers have at least one oil that meets the specs. One can normally find atleast 2-3 oils that meet the spec in automotive stores. And it's not like the oil that meets the spec is more money. . .

 

[dparm]

The 502/505 spec is basically heavy 30s and light 40s, with HTHS of 3.5 or better.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: hhu168
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


I would never buy a VW car exactly because of this.

How is this different from any of the other mfg specs? Ford, GM... they all have their specs.

 

[bruno]

I like it because it cuts through all the group III / group IV [censored] !

 

[Eddie]

Proof? I think not. If it meets the required spec then by definition it meets the viscosity requirement. Sometimes, little knowledge can cause us to make serious mistakes and allegations.

 

[Cause4Alarm]

For gas engines I have seen only 5w30 and 5w40 that meet the specs....but not all 5w30/40

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Proof? I think not. If it meets the required spec then by definition it meets the viscosity requirement. Sometimes, little knowledge can cause us to make serious mistakes and allegations.


Oil makers have met the VW 502 spec for example with 0w30, 5w40, 0w40, ect. . .

I know what your saying, but a VW spec does not require one weight to be used. So yes while a VW speced oil will be within a thickness range that the VW engineers have set for the spec, The engineers have not called for one weight to be used.

Some people here have been under the impression that 5w40 is the only oil weight allowed for their application.

Thats all im trying to show.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Cause4Alarm
For gas engines I have seen only 5w30 and 5w40 that meet the specs....but not all 5w30/40


I have seen 0w30's and 0w40's meet them aswell. I am using a 0w40 right now.

 

[UNC001]

The approval list that is published by Audi/VW US is for VW 502 oils approved for use in cars sold in the US.
VW 502 oils come in a wider range of viscosities that those that are listed in the approval list.
http://www.shell.com.au/home/content/aus...duct_range/hx7/

 

[30valve]

Originally Posted By: hhu168
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


I would never buy a VW car exactly because of this.


You should probably avoid any high performance car if running the proper spec oil is just to much work for you. VW/Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, some Japanese, some GM, and some Ford, etc. all have certain spec oils that should/must be run.

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
typically the viscosity is determined by the operating ambient range. A variety of viscosities may be compliant as per the OEM's specifications

If a Manufacturer's List exists (example Porsche's A40) then it will cover both of these issues

 

[dbrowne1]

VW does "care" about viscosity as evidenced by the fact that there are - for example - no 15W-XX oils approved against 502.00. There are a range of 0W30, 0W40, 5W30 and 5W40 oils that meet that spec, as evidenced by:

1. The "official" approved list already linked in this thread.

2. The range of different "recommended viscosities" found in owners' manuals, even for the same engine in different applications. For example, the B6 A4 manuals indicate that 0W30 is factory fill and recommended for all temps, but 5W30 or 5W40 is acceptable if 0W30 is not available. Then the Mk IV VW Jetta/Golf manuals from the same era and using the same 1.8T engine recommend and state factory fill as 5W40.

 

[hhu168]

Originally Posted By: 30valve
Originally Posted By: hhu168
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I dont see an issue here. By owning the spec, they can authorize the right viscosities and characteristics that are necessary for the engine.


I would never buy a VW car exactly because of this.


You should probably avoid any high performance car if running the proper spec oil is just to much work for you. VW/Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari, some Japanese, some GM, and some Ford, etc. all have certain spec oils that should/must be run.


But a Passat is not exactly a high performance car.

I am OK with manufacturer specing the oils for their engine. I just don't like their "owning" the oil spec.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: hhu168

I am OK with manufacturer specing the oils for their engine. I just don't like their "owning" the oil spec.

Well, if the industry doesn't do a good enough job on the specs, what is an car mfg to do? These car mfg specs result in oil companies actually producing better lubricants, IMO.