Question about oil ratings...'03 Passat V6

Status
Not open for further replies.
Like I stated before...I'm new to the car, the heads/valve train are new, the block and all that contains is old (172K) and I have no idea the history of the car.

Plus, it's an oil forum. If I wanted to hear "M1 0W-40" as the defacto answer, I'd ask over at the vortex or PW. I'm here to discuss oil and looking for opinions of people in the know so that I can form an educated opinion on my own, based on several sources, including here, manufacturers web sites, the vehicle manufacturer, etc.

Plus, I'm a cheap [censored] (by necessity) and I'm looking for the best bang for my buck in both quality and longevity.

Plus, I don't want to waste M1 on an engine if it doesn't need it based on what it required while under warantee 8 years ago when the engine had zero miles on it. Those recommendations are for a new car, in a new manual in a new glove box.

AJ

Originally Posted By: robertcope
I do not understand why you don't just put M1 0W-40 in there and be happy.

robert
 
Originally Posted By: mcseforsale
Plus, I don't want to waste M1 on an engine if it doesn't need it based on what it required while under warantee 8 years ago when the engine had zero miles on it. Those recommendations are for a new car, in a new manual in a new glove box.

But why do you think that a non-new car should use a different oil? M1 0w-40 will work great, regardless if the engine is new or not. Plus, when on sale, M1 costs about $5/qt. You'll be hard pressed to find any other synthetic oil for less than that. And if you do want to run extended oil change intervals, synthetic is what you need.

Quote:
If I wanted to hear "M1 0W-40" as the defacto answer, I'd ask over at the vortex or PW

LOL! Even if "M1 0W-40" is the correct answer?
 
I guess I'm questioning if it is the right answer.

If a certain oil has additives that are formulated to prevent sludge, corrosion, and prevent coking by beginning its use on a new vehicle, and I have a car that has sludge, corrosion and perhaps some coking, those additives are then not being used for their intended purpose.

Conversly ff an oil is intended for engines with 75000 miles based on its additives (based on their own propaganda), would you then put it in a car that has 4 miles on it?

Since I don't know the history of the OCI or what has been put in there and the engine is half new, I just want to know what the best solution is..

Also, according to a lot of what I've read around here, the "40"s really don't mean that the original recommendation isn't moot when you are able to consider the new oils and research done.


Plus, discourse is fun! Enjoy it!

AJ





Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: mcseforsale
Plus, I don't want to waste M1 on an engine if it doesn't need it based on what it required while under warantee 8 years ago when the engine had zero miles on it. Those recommendations are for a new car, in a new manual in a new glove box.

But why do you think that a non-new car should use a different oil? M1 0w-40 will work great, regardless if the engine is new or not. Plus, when on sale, M1 costs about $5/qt. You'll be hard pressed to find any other synthetic oil for less than that. And if you do want to run extended oil change intervals, synthetic is what you need.

Quote:
If I wanted to hear "M1 0W-40" as the defacto answer, I'd ask over at the vortex or PW

LOL! Even if "M1 0W-40" is the correct answer?
 
What about a 15W-40 HDEO in this engine on maybe 5K drains?
It would satisfy the owner's requirement of low cost, and he's not operating in a cold climate.
How about Maxlife 10W-40?
It is also fairly cheap, and meets A3, according to Valvoline.
 
When I had a Jetta 1.8T, that is what my manual said.

I bought Shell RTS 5w40 because it was the only thing I saw at the time with that viscosity, so I bought it.

I crashed the car with only 6,000 miles on it, so I would never be able to tell you how it worked.

That in mind, the UOA section has plenty of VW engines filled with RTS.

The stuff works and it is not too expensive.
 
A quick question guys.
My oil had a slight smell of petrol so i changed it with Mobil
SYNT S 5W - 40. The problem is that the manufacturer permits C3 specs but the oil i used meets only ACEA A3,B4,B3. Can this cause any damage to the engine? I will be changing the oil again in 2.000 miles as the car will be due for it's first service. Thanks
 
Rotella 5w40 synth or M1 0w40....both are more than fine to use...The engine will outlast the rest of the car using those two oils.
 
I have the same engine that I bought new in 2003. First of all, your owners manual is wrong, those are the specs for the W8 engine. There was a correction insert that came out for your manual, and there is a copy of it on the web somewhere, but I don't remember where I got it from, probably passat world.

Anyway, you can use any oil that has an hths of 3.5 or A3 rating. The 502 spec is the best and is what VW specs and it's basically an A3/B4 oil. You don't have to use the 503.01, which is a high horsepower spec for the W8 and is used in turbo Audi's.
 
INSERT TO TIPS AND ADVICE -- 2003 PASSAT

The information in this insert replaces page 36 in your 2003 Volkswagen Tips and Advice, Booklet 3.2, delivered with your Owner's literature package.

SPECIFICATIONS AND VISCOSITY FOR 1.8L 170hp and 2.8L 190hp ENGINE

Your engine was factory filled with an all season high quality engine oil that has a viscosity grade of 5W-40. You can use this oil over all temperature ranges for normal driving. If you need to add oil between oil changes use any high quality petroleum or synthetic-based oil with the correct specifications. If engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5W-30.

To assure that the oil you use is of the highest quality required by your vehicle the following terms must appear on the oil container singly or in combination with other designations:

--VW500.00 or VW501.01 or VW502.00
--ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
--API Service SJ

General Recommendations

If SAE 5W-40 or 5W-30 viscosity grade oil is not available in your area, be sure to always use a viscosity grade suitable for the climate and seasonal conditions that exist where the vehicle is being operated. Always make sure that the oil meets the quality standards listed above.

SPECIFICATIONS AND VISCOSITY FOR 4.0L 270hp ENGINE

Your engine was factory filled with an all season high quality engine oil that has a viscosity grade of ILSAC GF3 SAE 5W-40. You can use this oil over all temperature ranges for normal driving. If you need to add oil between oil changes use any high quality petroleum or synthetic-based oil with correct specifications. If engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5W-30, but only for adding or topping off.

To assure that the oil you use is of the highest quality required by your vehicle the following terms must appear on the oil container singly or in combination with other designations:
--VW 503.01, VW 505.01 or
--ILSAC GF3 SAE 5W-40 (when performing an oil change or adding)
In exceptional cases you may use
--ILSAC GF3 SAE 5W-30
for topping up only!

(info on back page of insert: Article number 231.552.ERP.94
Edition: 10.2002)

Thread
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom