Oil type for 2006 Jetta 2.5L

[TiGeo]

Most folks are changing their oil more than 1x a year - getting 2 5L jugs and using the balance next change just makes sense vs. the single qt bottle for $8.

 

[930.engineering]

I just got a 2006 Jetta 2.5L.
I understand the the recommended oil weight is 5w-40 but have also read in many places that 5W-30 is ok. Is this true?

As has been mentioned before, Volkswagen approval is what matters. Both VW 502 00 and 504 00 are fine for your 2.5. You could probably also use VW 511 00 oil in your Jetta, but it's more expensive and not needed at all. It's kind of a '0W-40/5W-40 version' of VW 504 00.

Also I read that it need to meet VW specifications 502 00 and 505 00

VW 502 00 is for gas engines, while VW 505 00 is specced for (non-DPF) Diesels. Similar with VW 504 00 (gas) and 507 00 (DPF equipped) Diesels. To make things complete, VW 508 00/509 00 is low-viscosity 0W-20 grade and NOT backwards-compatible.

I already have a few 5 quart jugs of Kirkland Full Synthetic 5W-30 sitting around however the back of the container does not call out VW 502 00 and 505 00. Should I use it?

Even though I'm rather certain it won't damage your engine, I'd just use the correct VW approved oil instead, since it isn't even expensive and you'll likely sleep better at night.

This may help. Remember not all of the listed oils are available anywhere:

VW 502 00 along with 505 00:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/downloadStaticFile/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50200_50500.pdf

VW 504 00 along with 507 00:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/downloadStaticFile/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50400_50700.pdf

These links automatically direct to the latest list.

This is the latest list of VW 511 00 approved oils. It's still a little short but I'm convinced it'll grow with time:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/downloadStaticFile/volkswagen/files/oil/step_51100.pdf

(again this link automatically directs to the LATEST VW 511 00 list)

 

[kschachn]

Most folks are changing their oil more than 1x a year - getting 2 5L jugs and using the balance next change just makes sense vs. the single qt bottle for $8.

Or for your lawn mower, garden tractor or snow thrower as applicable. I never seem to have a bunch of decent oil just hanging around.

 

[Hootbro]

Had a 2013 Jetta with the 2.5L. Ran 5W-30 Havoline High Mileage that is a semi-synthetic blend through it on multiple occasions for a 5K OCI. Ran fine and the one oil analysis I did showed no cause for concern

If running 10K mile OCI's , I would definately say stick to the VW spec stuff.

 

[2EHA]

it’s not a very demanding engine. an sp/gf6 oil will do fine.

the 502.00 mandate can be traced back to the disastrous introduction of the 1.8T engine.

 

[dubber09]

I service buddy's '10 Jetta and '08 Porsche for a couple years now, told him to buy 0w-40 whichever is on sale, be it Edge, M1 or MotorMaster Euro (Shell) oil, they meet VW and A40 specs. Cars run great while he agreed to lower OCIs to 10K km from 15K km he used before me.

 

[Crash Bandicoot]

Mobil 1 Euro 5w40, in abundance of supply on Amazon or at Walmart and for less than 23 bucks a 5qt jug. Has the approvals Zee Germans want you to have.