I have a 2006 Jetta GLI (2.0T engine), and the dealer uses Castrol 5w40 for oil changes (I think they used to use M1 0w40). Since I like to go the full 10K between oil changes, I'm thinking of using GC as a top-up oil, since (like M1) it is also rated VW 503 01 (VW's long-drain standard). Does anyone have any technical thoughts on this combination? Is the 5w40 good enough to go the full 10K in a mix of city and highway (I might need some hints on how to interpret UOAs in the UOA forum)? Historically, the car's needed about 1-1.5 quarts during the 10K change interval.
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Questions Re: Castrol 5w40 and topping up with GC
- Thread starter akuska
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The 5W-40 doesn't have the 503.01 approval. Why not just give the dealer M1 0W-40 or German Castrol if you want to run your oil that long? Those are the only two oils in North America I know of that have that approval listed on the back of the bottle. Also, be sure to get some good oil filters, like M1.
I'm aware that the 5w40 lacks VW 503 01. I might just switch to GC fully once I'm past 50K and don't need to worry about a VW warranty claim. However, since the 5w40 is on the VW approved list and VW itself specifies a 10K OCI, I'm just going along with what the dealer puts in for now. They use the OEM filters, which I've heard are decent.
I'm assuming that 1 quart of GC after about 5K miles (that's about what it burned last time) will give me some of the benefits of the GC additive pack in the meantime. I guess I'm just more curious as to people's experiences with the 5w40. I know it isn't revered as much as GC, but pretend for a moment that we didn't have GC. How does it compare to other oils on the VW approved list? M1 0w40 is known to shear down. What about the Castrol 5w40?
I'm assuming that 1 quart of GC after about 5K miles (that's about what it burned last time) will give me some of the benefits of the GC additive pack in the meantime. I guess I'm just more curious as to people's experiences with the 5w40. I know it isn't revered as much as GC, but pretend for a moment that we didn't have GC. How does it compare to other oils on the VW approved list? M1 0w40 is known to shear down. What about the Castrol 5w40?
BC (Belgian Castrol) was supposed to be a decent oil. Now it is made in the US and the jury is still out on how it is.
How has the 2.0 been with burning oil? Some guys on the A3 forums have been complaining aboutr 1-2 quarts of consumption over 10K. I thought that it was very unusual and unacceptable.
I ran GC for 2 OCIs in my 1.8T and had very good results. The only thing that bugged me was the fuel dilution.
I have to try to get my cousin to send me soem real german 503.01 oil to see how it does.
How has the 2.0 been with burning oil? Some guys on the A3 forums have been complaining aboutr 1-2 quarts of consumption over 10K. I thought that it was very unusual and unacceptable.
I ran GC for 2 OCIs in my 1.8T and had very good results. The only thing that bugged me was the fuel dilution.
I have to try to get my cousin to send me soem real german 503.01 oil to see how it does.
Overall, fuel consumption has been about 1-2 quarts over 10K, which is on par with other cars I've driven (domestic and German). It burned about 1.5 quarts the first 5K, but then steadied to the current rate after that. This is with M1, which the dealer used until the last oil change. Actually, certain Castrol blends seem to burn more slowly than other oils. Most manufacturers say 1 quart per 3000 is pretty normal, so I don't mind.
Wow, I'm suprised to hear that VW is recommending a 10K OCI on the 2.0T engine, especially after all the troubles they've had with the 1.8T's. I will say that my 1.8 has never had consumption issues, although I've just switched from dino to GC, so I'll have to keep an eye on it.
Personally, akuska, I'd stick with the 5w-40 for topping off, but I like to be consistent; I don't know if it is the best oil in the world but I doubt there's anything wrong with it. Users of it on PassatWorld have been satisfied, if I'm not mistaken.
StoicDude, what is "fuel dilution"?
Personally, akuska, I'd stick with the 5w-40 for topping off, but I like to be consistent; I don't know if it is the best oil in the world but I doubt there's anything wrong with it. Users of it on PassatWorld have been satisfied, if I'm not mistaken.
StoicDude, what is "fuel dilution"?
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StoicDude, what is "fuel dilution"?
Presence of fuel in the oil. That is how I understand it.
Most ranges on my UOAs have been 0.5 to 2 % which hen you think about percentage is not muc, but manages to decrease the flashpoint of the oil.
It also, from my understanding, makes the oil less robust and contributes to more wear.
I will see if anything changes with valvoline 5w-40. I hope there aren't any differences, because I would love to stick with GC.
Hillclimber, the issues with the 1.8T occurred when VWOA still said it was OK to use conventional (i.e. mineral) oil. The 2.0T runs a tad cooler than the 1.8T, and with the thicker 40wt synthetic oils, they are more comfortable in recommending the 10K OCI in normal usage. For "severe" schedules, they recommend a shorter interval, but don't say what that is. For the record, I used 40wt conventional oils a lot in my old 1.8T (at 5K intervals), switching to synthetic around 80K and never had issues with sludging.
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Hillclimber, the issues with the 1.8T occurred when VWOA still said it was OK to use conventional (i.e. mineral) oil.
Oh, I know, I know. But, even after deciding that we should all be using synth they stuck with the 5K OCI. Probably a better safe than sorry attitude.
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The 2.0T runs a tad cooler than the 1.8T, and with the thicker 40wt synthetic oils, they are more comfortable in recommending the 10K OCI in normal usage. For "severe" schedules, they recommend a shorter interval, but don't say what that is.
Cool. What's the sump capacity on your 2.0, by the way?
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For the record, I used 40wt conventional oils a lot in my old 1.8T (at 5K intervals), switching to synthetic around 80K and never had issues with sludging.
Similar situation here; I used 30wt dino for the first 60K or so, just switched to synth last week. Did the ARX thing and found no sludge or anything in the oil filter after the rinse phase.
Are you enjoying that 2.0?; if I was looking for a car now I'd certainly go drive a Jetta with that engine.
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Cool. What's the sump capacity on your 2.0, by the way?
I'm not sure of all the terminology, however, I think it takes a tad over 5.5 quarts of oil to fill. Is that what you mean by "sump"?
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Are you enjoying that 2.0?; if I was looking for a car now I'd certainly go drive a Jetta with that engine.
The 2.0T is one of the best engines I've ever driven. It puts out more power and torque than the old 2.8L, and gets slightly better fuel economy than the 1.8T. It has almost no turbo lag, and is as smooth as a 6 cylinder. VW sales, unfortunately, are slow this year, so the good news is you can probably get a great deal on a new VW. More people need to know about this engine.
re 5.5 qts: that's good to hear, quite an improvement over my 1.8T which only needs 4 quarts to fill it.
That does sound like a great engine but I won't be in the market for a new car for some time yet. I'll have had the Passat four years in December and I'd be happy to keep her another four. It's paid for, runs great, love that engine, etc. But you do make the 2.0T sound nice.
That does sound like a great engine but I won't be in the market for a new car for some time yet. I'll have had the Passat four years in December and I'd be happy to keep her another four. It's paid for, runs great, love that engine, etc. But you do make the 2.0T sound nice.
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