Originally Posted By: jakeyjohn1
I'm still here! Thank you for all your responses! I haven't been able to finish following through on all the info posted in here.
Thank you edyvw! I completely overlooked the European and Import Motor Oils section after finding the oil recommendation sticky in the passenger motor oil section and have found a ton of great info in there!
I found lurbizol's relative performance tool and am still trying to figure out if higher numbers are better or worse and if its consistent with all categories. A3/B4 scores lower in aftertreatment than C3 as C3 show %P and %S limits but VW 502 scores lower than VW 504 and VW 504 has no %P or %S specification.
motech is right about a sticker in the engine compartment. It says VW 502 00, VW 504 00. Since VAG has collaborated on Castrol Edge I've been looking at those oils and it seems when Castrol Edge meets VW 504 it also meats ACEA C3. Likewise the Castrol Edge VW 502 oils meet ACEA A3/B4. Based on some of the first things I've read it seems VW 504 00/ ACEA C3 is the 'better' standard so I am leaning towards that, but I'm still reading.
I still havn't found an official source of information on the VW oil specs nor the ACEA.
While I appreciate the numerous recommendations for a 0W40 oil, I feel awkward going outside the manufacturers recommendation. Since 0W40 also passes at the specifications for 5W40 does it also technically meet VW's recommendation of 5W30 or 5W40? Since they have the same hot characteristics I don't have to worry about it being too thin?
If the general consensus is more detergents are better than I will try to use Shell premium. I will also use that VW additive.
You are confusing specifications.
ACEA A3/B3 B4 are not lower standard then C3. C3 is standard due to DPF in diesel engines. VW504.00/507.00 is primarily developed for diesel engines. However, it works in gasoline engines with direct injection only if gasoline that you are using is ultra low sulfur gasoline (ULSG). CA has tougher standard then rest 49 states, BUT I would stay away personally from VW504.00/507.00 in 2.0T regardless that it is Gen3. Problem with that spec is low TBN and due to fuel dilution your TBN might be shot by OCI. I did UOA on Mobil1 5W30 ESP that I used in Gen2 that it is in my Tiguan, and after 3k, TBN was really low.
ACEA A3 is full SAPS standard, meaning there is more sulfated ash, phosphorous etc. in oil. It is not friendly primarily to diesel after treatment systems (like in my BMW).
As for 5W40 or 0W30, forget that. What matters to you AGAIN is VW 502.00 and that could be 0W30, 5W30, 0W40, 5W40. What matters is operating temperature viscosity and HTHS. HTHS has to be minimum 3.5cp, and all VW 502.00 oil, regardless whether they are W30 or W40 are 3.5cp.
VW endorses Castrol, they have contract. On engine in my BMW also says Castrol, but in 2014 BMW switched supplier to Shell (Pennzoil). That does not mean Castrol is better then other oils in that engine. For example, Castrol 5W40 that you can buy in Wal Mart etc. is actually below average oil. But, take into consideration that VW502.00 specification is nothing special. What you want is oil that besides VW502.00 meets also MB229.5, Porsche A40 and BMW LL-01. Each specification brings something to the table and if that oil meets all of them then that is good quality oil. Take into consideration that some oils stop carrying BMW LL-01 for some reasons that are still not clear.
If you go with ACEA C3 oils, you can go for example with Valvoline 5W40 MST. I used that oil in BMW, and it is great product, better for example then that Castrol 5W40. It has more TBN as it meets VW 502.00 and VW 505.01.
But again, you are overthinking and I understand that because VW is notorious for confusing oil recommendations. Again, IMO, do not look further then Castrol 0W40, Mobil1 0W40 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 0W40.
You can also order Castrol 0W30 on Amazon. However, it is same base stock as Castrol 0W40, just bit thinner and more expensive.
I would try all these really good oils that I mentioned before (I did) and find which one "feels" or "sounds" best to your ear. I found that Castrol 0W30 before 0W40 became readily available, and then 0W40 fit best my preferences.
