Rotella T Synthetic 5W40 for VW VR6 engine?

[Thugzy]

Hi, my very first post...

Anyone use Rotella T Synthetic 5W40 in the VR6. Mine is a 2001 with 54,000kms. Is this ok for the VR6? I was going to use Maxlife 5W30 but read that 5W40 is better for extended highway driving.

Thanks

 

[Auto-Union]

Great oil for your app. It'll clean and provide the 40 weight HT/HT, no problem. Since you are in Canada, temps pretty much require a synthetic in a Euro app...sufficiently better cold-flow for winter and not thinning too much for power-on operating temps. As for MaxLife Synthetic, it also makes ~equal~ HT/HS for the A3-spec, but with a thinner base oil, a 30 weight. Same HT/HS, but just under 12cSt at +100c rather than 14-15 for RTS. I like MaxLife. In warmer conditions, a 10w-40 or 15w40 will work too. In synthetics, the Esso XD oils are noted to be very good, available only in Canada. What have you been using? A clean engine is the singly most important start with lubricating. imo, use some Auto-Rx before worrying about fancy synthetic oils. I would even do a mild Kero flush if you are over 120k miles.

 

[Thugzy]

I just bought the car last week. It was meticulously maintained by the local VW dealer with "Organic" Oil....whatever that means. OCIs were done to the maintenance schedule. Im assuming the engine the engine is already very clean as the previous owner took excellent care of the car and kept up on the maintenance too the tee.

How does the Rotella compare to the Esso XD? Out of these two which is best for all year protection in Canada? Also, are these oils good in a 1.8T as well?

Thanks

 

[SPITMAN]

My vote is to run ESSO XD-3 in the 0W-40 weight available at Walmart for about $23 a 4L. jug. Is is a genuine group IV PAO synthetic and can be used all year round. If you want to go slightly lighter in viscosity at operating temperature then go with the XD-3 0w30 available at ESSO bulk oil dealers (check your yellow pages for the one nearest you). If you want to spend a few morw $$'s for essentially the same protection then you could use German Castrol Syntec 0w30 available at Walmart or Canadian Tire.

 

[SPITMAN]

Forgot to mention that I would reverst the order of preferance for the 1.8T:
1: German Castrol
2: XD-3 0W-30
3: XD-3 0W-40

I just prefer gteater flow at operating temperature with a turbo -- it removes more of the heat in the bearing area.

 

[Auto-Union]

Never assume the engine is clean. Dealer ocis are sorta long. Previous owner might have done all short trips, which is devastating to the engine's cleanliness. I'd stick with 15w40 for a few changes WITH Auto-Rx and then go synthetic in winter. Otherwise, I'll let the Canucks help you out further. (ps- that "organic" oil did not sound too great! All the more reason for ARX...look into under the filler cap with a flashlight for how clean it really is)

Auto-Rx.com

 

[Ertman]

LOL - "organic" they meant to say dino!!!

The stealerships are known for using dino when VAG specifies syn. Start an AutoRx treatment.

I am using the Rotella 5X40 (blue jug) in my Audi A4 1.8t, but I am in the sunny South.

 

[Thugzy]

So i correct myself....Rotella 5W40 Synthetic is not available in my area...I picked up Rotella T 0W40 Synthetic.

I tried searching and could not find anything on Rotella 0W40. Am I ok with Rotella T 0W40 Synthetic in my VR?

 

[NO_TO_DINO]

why not 50/50 with a dino? I think i might do the same

 

[Thugzy]

^^ Good question...since the VR6 capacity is 6.8L
what if i use
4L of Shell Rotella T Synthetic 0W40 mixed with
1.8L of Shell Formula conventional 10W40??

 

[NO_TO_DINO]

yeah, by the way.. what area of canada are you in
they dont sell formula shell where i live

 

[Thugzy]

Im in the Toronto area, Partsource and crapppy tire sell it here.

 

[NO_TO_DINO]

ah, didnt see it at canadiantire here so i guess they dont sell it.