Previously I owned a Rabbit diesel so I am not completely unfamilar with diesel maintenance. Now I have a 2005 Volkswagen Golf GLS TDI that has over 10,000 miles on it (and has had its two 5,000 mile scheduled oil changes). It was my understanding that I would need to change oil after this break-in period every 10,000 miles as recommended by the manufacturer using 505.01 spec oil. The dealership is adamant that I need to change oil every 5,000 miles on the diesel or serious wear and tear on the engine and turbo will result. I intend to keep this car a long time (I travel over 30,000 miles per year-mostly highway at 65-70 mph and want to put hopefully at least 300,000 miles on the engine). Being as these oil changes aren't exactly inexpensive and I can't do them myself where I currently live what are your feelings on this issue? It's my understanding that the car will probably fall apart before the engine if "properly maintained" but I'm not sure if the manufacturer's recommendations are dispositive of the issue. Thanks.
Scheduled Oil Changes For TDI
- Thread starter bsp
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Your VW stealer is full of it. I just checked VW's service schedule for your car. Your car's maintenance schedule calls for 10k miles oil changes. Your VW dealer is shady, IMO.
i go 10k oci's with delvac1 or Mobil 1 5w-40 in my 02 tdi. you are correct that an 05 needs the 505.01. the tdi diesel engine is rock solid. lots of info on this at tdiclub.com.
The problem is that you are considering the dealer for oil changes. Either DIY or find a good independant VW/Audi shop. If you plan on keeping the car outside of warranty, you will need a good shop.
I ran 10k OCIs in the previous ALH TDI. 60k and nothing went wrong. Well, the turbo locked up and the intake clogged shut, but those were both covered under warranty.
Stick with a 505.01 oil, carry it in if you go somewhere other than the dealer, and just about any cartridge filter will work fine, even the "STP" from AZ.
I ran 10k OCIs in the previous ALH TDI. 60k and nothing went wrong. Well, the turbo locked up and the intake clogged shut, but those were both covered under warranty.
Stick with a 505.01 oil, carry it in if you go somewhere other than the dealer, and just about any cartridge filter will work fine, even the "STP" from AZ.
I have yet to see a tdi need more than 10K changes. I change when I reach 3% soot in oil, which is usually around 17K miles. I use the factory VW filter, because they are rated for 10K miles, and the Amsoil one is only rated for 7K, even though I use Amsoil, and am a dealer.
VW TDI should use only oil with the folowing specs: 505.01 / 506.01 / 507.00 and nothing else, the truck and SUV stuff is made for truck and SUV and not for TDI's engines. The differences are:
Truck TDI
RPM: 1500RPM / 4500RPM
HP: 30HP/L / 80HP/L
Oil: 30L
Truck TDI
RPM: 1500RPM / 4500RPM
HP: 30HP/L / 80HP/L
Oil: 30L
BSP, as mentioned above your car will last a good long time the factory recommended 10,000 mile oil change intervals. Dealerships are notorious for selling oil changes and brake repairs so you're better off staying far away from VW dealerships unless you're getting free warranty work.
Also mentioned above, your car specifies VW 505.01 oil which is only available in a 5W-40 grade. It's available from the dealership or several on-line stores.
If you haven't done so already check out tdiclub.com for some entertaining reading. It is nothing like it was in the early A4 days from 1998 and 1999 but there's still a wealth of information.
Also mentioned above, your car specifies VW 505.01 oil which is only available in a 5W-40 grade. It's available from the dealership or several on-line stores.
If you haven't done so already check out tdiclub.com for some entertaining reading. It is nothing like it was in the early A4 days from 1998 and 1999 but there's still a wealth of information.
Since you have a PD stick with the 505.01 oil recommended. There is alot of hearsay about non certified 505.01 being fine but I would not risk it and stick with the 10k interval.
You are going to love your TDI. With gas prices as high as they are right now (2.75/gal diesel) here in Pensacola and even higher prices after this storm I have really appreciated the 40+MPG.
Laurent:
The Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40 is rebadged Delvac 1 (although the additives have changed) and it has worked flawlessly in my '03 non-pd TDI. My oil analysis came back great after approx 13k miles on the oil.
You are going to love your TDI. With gas prices as high as they are right now (2.75/gal diesel) here in Pensacola and even higher prices after this storm I have really appreciated the 40+MPG.
Laurent:
The Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5W-40 is rebadged Delvac 1 (although the additives have changed) and it has worked flawlessly in my '03 non-pd TDI. My oil analysis came back great after approx 13k miles on the oil.
The Mann oil filter for the VWs is rated for 18,000 miles of service. They're available for as low as $10 by mail order or some local shops, vs. $18-$22 with the VW logo at the dealership.
Ken
Ken
I just put 80k on my 02TDI and posted the UOA.
Delvac with 10k OCI - nasty urban conditions and hiway 50/50.
Delvac with 10k OCI - nasty urban conditions and hiway 50/50.
Thanks Drew-that's the kind of info I need on the 505.01 oil. I just don't want to "overmaintain" the car if it's not necessary to its long term proper function.
bsp, there is no reason not to do your own oil change on a TDI. Purchase an oil extractor which removes the old oil from the dipstick tube. The filter is easily accessable from the top of the engine and is simple to change. I'm ****** that my new CDI doesn't have a dipstick, because oil changes used to be a breeze on my TDI.
Woochow, remove the fancy cover from the engine of your CDI, dig around, and you will find something that resembles a dipstick tube, albeit there is a cover on it.
Articles at www.noln.net actually describe where to find the hole to use an oil extractor.
On the E320 TDI, you have to remove a bunch of pieces from the bottom otherwise to change the oil the traditional gravity-drain method. Far better to find the dipstick tube (although there is no actual dipstick, as you point out.).
Articles at www.noln.net actually describe where to find the hole to use an oil extractor.
On the E320 TDI, you have to remove a bunch of pieces from the bottom otherwise to change the oil the traditional gravity-drain method. Far better to find the dipstick tube (although there is no actual dipstick, as you point out.).
No dipstick in the CRD??? How are you supposed to know what your oil level is???
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