Hello gang,
I am looking hard at these two oils for my new Passat GT with the VR6. Like any good Bitoger I have been reading and researching. But VW has made oil choice somewhat confusing, let me explain.
Basically the manual goes on and on about how my vehicle is filled with 0w30 at the factory and I should use 0w30 oil. Failure to do so could result in reduced fuel economy and premature emissions systems failures. The manual immediately follows that diatribe with a good beating about the head and shoulders to use VW 502 only for my VR6. Not more than 1/2 quart of 5w40 is to be added except when no other is available (even if it is VW 502). Really? The manual then grudgingly concedes I may use VW 504 oil if necessary. If you actually read the manual, it seems clear the VW preference is a VW 502 0w30. Hmmm....
The sticker under the hood is marked "502 , 504". I take from all this I may use either spec regardless of grade and stay in warranty, not sure about the bi-polar tendencies exhibited in the manual. In fact, the more I dig, the more I believe the factory fill on this engine is actually a VW 504 0w30. So much for the VW 502 emphasis that was so important.
So if one gets to looking, the only VW 502 in the supposedly preferred 0w30 is the now unobtanium Castrol 0w30, as least that I can find. VW 502s abound but they are mostly 0w40 and 5w40. To further complicate matters this is my first "new" engine in decades, it is also my first DI engine and I want to keep it clean. I want no LSPI issues. I don't think I will be doing 10k OCI's either, I will start at 5k and see if I can fudge a bit more than that but that is it. This thing is gonna get babied for a while.
I bought Valvoline MST 5w40 on sale already, it is mid saps but meets VW 502 and also BMW LL-04. By all accounts this is very good oil. Now I have available a slight discount on the 0w30 I did find, it's Pennzoil Euro LX. It is low saps and meets VW 504 (which is a far more stringent spec than 502 by the way) as well as MB 229.51 and 229.52.
Which of those two do you think is the best choice? I am pretty sure they are both fabulous oils but will one have an advantage in my application? For this car oil price is of little consideration (although I draw the line at 14 buck a quart boutique oils). I am most concerned about killing any chance of LSPI. I imagine the Pennzoil has a slight edge in fuel economy, the HTHS and kinematic viscosity are a hair lighter.
The only fuel I use in the vehicle is Shell V-Power Nitro Plus Premium, so I don't expect fuel will be an issue with the mid saps or low saps oil. I can use the MST in several of my other vehicles if I choose so no concern there.
Your thoughts???
Pic of car in question required:
I am looking hard at these two oils for my new Passat GT with the VR6. Like any good Bitoger I have been reading and researching. But VW has made oil choice somewhat confusing, let me explain.
Basically the manual goes on and on about how my vehicle is filled with 0w30 at the factory and I should use 0w30 oil. Failure to do so could result in reduced fuel economy and premature emissions systems failures. The manual immediately follows that diatribe with a good beating about the head and shoulders to use VW 502 only for my VR6. Not more than 1/2 quart of 5w40 is to be added except when no other is available (even if it is VW 502). Really? The manual then grudgingly concedes I may use VW 504 oil if necessary. If you actually read the manual, it seems clear the VW preference is a VW 502 0w30. Hmmm....
The sticker under the hood is marked "502 , 504". I take from all this I may use either spec regardless of grade and stay in warranty, not sure about the bi-polar tendencies exhibited in the manual. In fact, the more I dig, the more I believe the factory fill on this engine is actually a VW 504 0w30. So much for the VW 502 emphasis that was so important.
So if one gets to looking, the only VW 502 in the supposedly preferred 0w30 is the now unobtanium Castrol 0w30, as least that I can find. VW 502s abound but they are mostly 0w40 and 5w40. To further complicate matters this is my first "new" engine in decades, it is also my first DI engine and I want to keep it clean. I want no LSPI issues. I don't think I will be doing 10k OCI's either, I will start at 5k and see if I can fudge a bit more than that but that is it. This thing is gonna get babied for a while.
I bought Valvoline MST 5w40 on sale already, it is mid saps but meets VW 502 and also BMW LL-04. By all accounts this is very good oil. Now I have available a slight discount on the 0w30 I did find, it's Pennzoil Euro LX. It is low saps and meets VW 504 (which is a far more stringent spec than 502 by the way) as well as MB 229.51 and 229.52.
Which of those two do you think is the best choice? I am pretty sure they are both fabulous oils but will one have an advantage in my application? For this car oil price is of little consideration (although I draw the line at 14 buck a quart boutique oils). I am most concerned about killing any chance of LSPI. I imagine the Pennzoil has a slight edge in fuel economy, the HTHS and kinematic viscosity are a hair lighter.
The only fuel I use in the vehicle is Shell V-Power Nitro Plus Premium, so I don't expect fuel will be an issue with the mid saps or low saps oil. I can use the MST in several of my other vehicles if I choose so no concern there.
Your thoughts???
Pic of car in question required: