Oil for my 1.8T Engine???

[RL331]

Hi, I'm new here - I just want to start by saying there is such a wealth of info here, maybe too much so that I'm totally confused =). None the less, by far one of the most informative sites I've seen.

I have a 2003 VW Passat 1.8T and I have been using Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 for the last 2 oil changes. I know it's a Group III oil but my car runs super smooth and revs incredibly smooth as well - I have no complaints about the oil. I previously ran Pennzoil 5W-40 Synth and the car was not even close to being as smooth with the SynPower.

I know that M1 0W-40 is a Group IV and would like to try it if there were any compelling reasons to switch. And besides, I was reading an Amsoil report on oil analysis and there seems to be good and ok and bad things about all the oil that's out there.

So how does one choose??? Valv SynPower, M1, Castrol, Redline, Amsoil - ahhhhhh!!! BTW where does one get Castrol 5W-40 Euro around NYC?

Thanks so much for any answers.

 

[williar]

Well, the best way to choose is to do alot of research, then run some used-oil analysis (UOAs) of your own. Oil for the VW 1.8t has been discussed alot on this board and vwvortex. Check out the UOA section of BOBISTHEOILGUY, too.

My favorites for this engine are Mobil1 0w40, Made-in-Germany Castrol Syntec 0w30, Mobil1 0w30R, and Amsoil 0w30.

The VW 1.8t (and the 2.7t) has a high-pressure oil system that needs a light oil, but one that also protects the turbos from coking at high temps. A Group IV/V synthethc is ideal for this application.

 

[ruking77]

If you want to hear from a TDI owner, for I am not directly affected by a 1.8T I can offer an opinion by way of nexus.

Synthetic oil group IV is probably more resistant to coking than certainly a conventiional oil and in most cases the group III types.

The turbo will make the best use of the synthetic.

If you read the VW owners manual there are a whole list of viscosity recommendations.

For the TDI the focus is on 5w40 and some folks swear by 15w40. I use Delvac One 5w40 aka Mobil One Truck and SUV. My goal is to drive from 550,000 to 1,000,000 miles. I use 10k intervals but have no problem going to the 15k and even 20k intervals. You also might want to look at posted oil analysis especially for your VW 1.8T. If you have any doubt or special conditions get the oil analysis done.

 

[tec97]

quote:

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Originally posted by RL331:
I have a 2003 VW Passat 1.8T and I have been using Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 for the last 2 oil changes. I know it's a Group III oil but my car runs super smooth and revs incredibly smooth as well - I have no complaints about the oil. I previously ran Pennzoil 5W-40 Synth and the car was not even close to being as smooth with the SynPower.

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Then why in God's name would you want to change? Do a UOA on the SynPower - if it looks good, stick with it...

 

[TooSlick]

I've run the Amsoil 10w-40, 10w-30 and now 0w-30 in my 2002 Audi TT roadster, with the 225 Hp version of the same engine. The 0w-30 has provided the best performance and fuel efficiency to date and is what I'd recommend. I picked up approx 1.0 mpg over the Amsoil 10w-30 that I used previously - that's an increase of approx 3.5%. Oil consumption has been reduced as well, even in comparison to the Amsoil 10w-40, which is a significantly thicker oil.

You should have no trouble running 10,000 mile, oil/filter change intervals in that application. The OEM VW oil filters are excellent, so I'd just use those....

Tooslick
www.lubedealer.com/Dixie_Synthetics

 

[RL331]

Thanks - anyone know where I can find "BC" in the NYC - Long Island area?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Try your local VW dealer. People reported seeing it there.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I'd use M1 SUV 5w-40.