More proof VW does not care about oil weight!

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: 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.


+1 It's not like oil makers need to pay VW to make a oil that meets the spec. So them "owning" a spec does not make sense. . .

VW has had there engineers spend time on R+D on what works best on there engines.

Sure, VW could have said use an API SM+ 5w40. But instead, VW spent the time on finding out what is needed in an oil that will allow for the best results one can get. . . .

As said, it's not like oil that meets VW specs costs more cash than the other products on the shelf. Mobil 1 5w20 and 0w40 are the same price. As is Syntec 10w30 and 0w30.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp

+1 It's not like oil makers need to pay VW to make a oil that meets the spec.

True, but they do need to pay VW for the oil to officially pass the test and carry the "meets VW spec" text on the label. And from what I hear, it's a fairly hefty fee hence most smaller oil companies don't go for it.

 

[kbowley]

They do NOT pay VW to get that cert. The oil is tested by an independent lab and the manufacture of the oil pays for the testing for each cert they want there oil tested against. if they fail a cert they still pay for test. VW certainly receives not a dime from the oil maker, only the lab that does the testing.

 

[Quattro Pete]

You're right, kbowley. Thanks for the correction.

 

[Tornado Red]

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.

This would be a bad reason not to buy a VW.

But, it is a reminder that if you own a VW, either change your own oil or provide your own oil to the shop that you have perform the oil change.

I'm not going to say that all VW dealerships suck, but many of them do.

 

[ltslimjim]

Interesting thread. Yet to own a VW, but I'm keeping my options open.

 

[ARB1977]

My wife's Jetta has a wide range of weights listed in the manual. Of course thicker weights are for hotter temps.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: 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:


Actually, VW to a certain degree do care about oil weight, as the range of weights are applicable to certain VW specifications. VW training doesn't always get into the nitty gritty details, the details are filtered out, so that only the higher level information is presented.

VW502.00, does allow for a wide range of oil weights.
Let's say for 504.00, of all the qualified lists, do you see 5w40? 0w30? 0w40? Nope... just 5w30.
506.01--- the only weight was allowed was 0w30.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: 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:


Actually, VW to a certain degree do care about oil weight, as the range of weights are applicable to certain VW specifications. VW training doesn't always get into the nitty gritty details, the details are filtered out, so that only the higher level information is presented.

VW502.00, does allow for a wide range of oil weights.
Let's say for 504.00, of all the qualified lists, do you see 5w40? 0w30? 0w40? Nope... just 5w30.
506.01--- the only weight was allowed was 0w30.


Yes an oil has to be a certain weight so that it meets the specs outlines.

I am just showing VW does not call for a weight. As i said.

Many people here think they do.
Some people think 5w40 is the only weight they can use in there car.

Look how many "can I use Mobil 1 0w40 or will it void my warranty" threads have been written in the past year!

Thats all Im trying to show.

 

[Volvo_ST1]

"Oil weight"? If you mean viscosity, you should say viscosity.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: 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:


Actually, VW to a certain degree do care about oil weight, as the range of weights are applicable to certain VW specifications. VW training doesn't always get into the nitty gritty details, the details are filtered out, so that only the higher level information is presented.

VW502.00, does allow for a wide range of oil weights.
Let's say for 504.00, of all the qualified lists, do you see 5w40? 0w30? 0w40? Nope... just 5w30.
506.01--- the only weight was allowed was 0w30.


Yes an oil has to be a certain weight so that it meets the specs outlines.

I am just showing VW does not call for a weight. As i said.

Many people here think they do.
Some people think 5w40 is the only weight they can use in there car.

Look how many "can I use Mobil 1 0w40 or will it void my warranty" threads have been written in the past year!

Thats all Im trying to show.


Your point is not exactly 100% correct, because in certain specifications, it does call for a weight.

VW502.00 allows for a broad range, other specs are weight specific.

 

[HondaMan]

My new 2011 JSW requires a VW 507 rated oil.

A VW 507 will also meet MB 229.51

As Bevo confirms, a MB 229.51 can be a 30 or a 40... BUT if you cross reference the VW 507 list you will find NO 40 wt, not one.

So, to VW wt DOES MATTER, as in the case of using a 507 spec oil you will never use a 40 wt.
They just do not want the customer to have to worry.

Many VW owners who CARE take this sort of info and run an MB 229.51 in a 40 wt. (Mobil 1 ESP M for example)

Who is right, the savvy Bob reading Oil Junkie or VW?

 

[Volvo_ST1]

Originally Posted By: HondaMan
My new 2011 JSW requires a VW 507 rated oil.

A VW 507 will also meet MB 229.51

As Bevo confirms, a MB 229.51 can be a 30 or a 40... BUT if you cross reference the VW 507 list you will find NO 40 wt, not one.

So, to VW wt DOES MATTER, as in the case of using a 507 spec oil you will never use a 40 wt.
They just do not want the customer to have to worry.

Many VW owners who CARE take this sort of info and run an MB 229.51 in a 40 wt. (Mobil 1 ESP M for example)

Who is right, the savvy Bob reading Oil Junkie or VW?




A VW 507 oil must not have lower viscosity than 5w30, because the fuel saving aspects of a 5w30 over a 5W-40 are a requirement of the VW 507 specification.

A 5W-40, as long as it meets all other requirements, especially those pertaining to engine cleanliness and DPF requirements (SAPS limits), will work just fine and won't harm the engine, though.

During the warranty period I'd stick with an approved oil; afterwards not so much.