Volkswagen Dealer arguing with me over the color of 508 oil.........

[Zack1978]

Hi everyone,

So as the title indicates, my local Volkswagen dealer is/was arguing with me over the color of fresh 508 0w20 oil. I took my car in for a recall and an oil change since it is still under warranty. I would rather have them do the oil change while still in the warranty period so there are no questions about service history.
When I picked up my car, I checked the oil in the dealer lot before even starting my car. As you might expect, the oil was NOT green/blue, but rather a normal honey color as regular oil would look. I questioned the service writer about this and unbeknownst to me, the tech who worked on my car was standing there as well. The tech immediately jumped into the conversation (and was beyond defensive) to claim that the "new" 508 oil is no longer blue/green. He claims it is "bulk" oil and it is all the "normal" oil color now. He claimed to know that it used to be a different color, but it is not that way now. He purported to be an oil expert.
The conversation was ridiculous on many levels! Dealers are really fantastic!

 

[rstcso]

The VW 508.00 spec requires the blue dye, which the oil looks mostly green-ish to me. I don't know how easily the blue dye would be seen on a dipstick (my car didn't have one). I sampled a half dozen 508 oils looking for "the best" and none looked exactly like any others.

Does your service invoice/receipt show the part number and/or description for the correct oil? If so, keep your receipt to point to should any issues arise.

I've read and heard many stories about dealers using bulk oil for all oil changes. You could always send a sample of your fresh oil for analysis. The main thing you'll learn is if the viscosity is in spec for 0W-20 oil. If it's higher, that's probably better anyway. As long as you have the receipt, you'll not have any problems.

 

[Zack1978]

The VW 508.00 spec requires the blue dye, which the oil looks mostly green-ish to me. I don't know how easily the blue dye would be seen on a dipstick (my car didn't have one). I sampled a half dozen 508 oils looking for "the best" and none looked exactly like any others.

Does your service invoice/receipt show the part number and/or description for the correct oil? If so, keep your receipt to point to should any issues arise.

I've read and heard many stories about dealers using bulk oil for all oil changes. You could always send a sample of your fresh oil for analysis. The main thing you'll learn is if the viscosity is in spec for 0W-20 oil. If it's higher, that's probably better anyway. As long as you have the receipt, you'll not have any problems.

The invoice clearly states 508 oil was used.

 

[kschachn]

When I was getting the free oil changes at my dealer for the Tiguan I asked that they use 504 00 oil instead of the 508 00. The easy way they agreed made me think they may not use 508 00 at all. Who knows.

I’m not even entirely sure the vehicle was delivered with 508 00 but it probably was.

 

[rstcso]

The invoice clearly states 508 oil was used.

Looks like you have documentation that would stand up in a court of law. Personally, I'd either run it a shorter OCI, then change it yourself or find a shop, or even an oil change place, having the type of oil you want to use going forward and have them change it. The service station I used for my oil changes charged retail price for the oil and filter + $20 labor.

Many such places are now carrying premium brands, such as my beloved Amsoil Signature Series. Just watch closely as they add the oil from sealed bottles. I've heard a lot of bait-and-switch stories.

 

[rstcso]

I’m not even entirely sure the vehicle was delivered with 508 00 but it probably was.

Since I read it on the internet, this must be true. The "government" (you and me) would buy new cars from dealers for testing to make sure they were meeting the CAFE requirements, with strict penalties if not. Therefore, the lowest viscosity oil they could get by with would be shipped in the engines of new cars.

At least they're saving the planet... one failed engine at a time.

 

[Patman]

At least they're saving the planet... one failed engine at a time.

What failed engines are you talking about?

 

[Zee09]

I had the misfortune of sitting in my local VW service center for two days of stupidity with a warranty issue and I saw many of the people both days coming back for screw ups.

After my free oil changes I wasn't interested in going back. I don't trust what they say. I have much doubt you got 508 spec oil...

 

[rstcso]

What immediately comes to mind are the GM 6.2Ls requiring 0W-20. Yes, the underlying issue is the crank wasn't polished to spec (speculation on my part), but under low engine speed, high load, a higher viscosity oil most likely wouldn't shear so far out of spec causing loss of the oil barrier between the bearings and connecting rods/crank.

 

[edyvw]

They probably used VW 504.00/507.00 unless they have leftover VW502.00 5W40.

 

[Hall]

The conversation was ridiculous on many levels!

Very true

He purported to be an oil expert.

A LOT of people do too....

I would rather have them do the oil change while still in the warranty period so there are no questions about service history.

What's the issue then ? Is the engine going to blow up because they used the "wrong" oil ? No, it won't.

 

[Mechanician]

Hi everyone,

So as the title indicates, my local Volkswagen dealer is/was arguing with me over the color of fresh 508 0w20 oil. I took my car in for a recall and an oil change since it is still under warranty. I would rather have them do the oil change while still in the warranty period so there are no questions about service history.
When I picked up my car, I checked the oil in the dealer lot before even starting my car. As you might expect, the oil was NOT green/blue, but rather a normal honey color as regular oil would look. I questioned the service writer about this and unbeknownst to me, the tech who worked on my car was standing there as well. The tech immediately jumped into the conversation (and was beyond defensive) to claim that the "new" 508 oil is no longer blue/green. He claims it is "bulk" oil and it is all the "normal" oil color now. He claimed to know that it used to be a different color, but it is not that way now. He purported to be an oil expert.
The conversation was ridiculous on many levels! Dealers are really fantastic!

The tech was concerned, about your concern over your oil.
How much skin can that tech possibly have in the game? Maybe his brother sells bulk oil in the area?

 

[Zee09]

The tech was concerned, about your concern over your oil.
How much skin can that tech possibly have in the game? Maybe his brother sells bulk oil in the area?

Yeah it stinks for sure

 

[Pablo]

It is pretty ridiculous. My bet? (guess and probably wrong): Dealer is just buying oil from low bidder.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Hi everyone,

So as the title indicates, my local Volkswagen dealer is/was arguing with me over the color of fresh 508 0w20 oil. I took my car in for a recall and an oil change since it is still under warranty. I would rather have them do the oil change while still in the warranty period so there are no questions about service history.
When I picked up my car, I checked the oil in the dealer lot before even starting my car. As you might expect, the oil was NOT green/blue, but rather a normal honey color as regular oil would look. I questioned the service writer about this and unbeknownst to me, the tech who worked on my car was standing there as well. The tech immediately jumped into the conversation (and was beyond defensive) to claim that the "new" 508 oil is no longer blue/green. He claims it is "bulk" oil and it is all the "normal" oil color now. He claimed to know that it used to be a different color, but it is not that way now. He purported to be an oil expert.
The conversation was ridiculous on many levels! Dealers are really fantastic!

I had purchased a lease service package - a gimmie to just get out of the finance office. Never again.
My Dealer put 505 00 oil in because they supposedly didn't have any 508 00/ 509 00 stocked yet. But they wrote the VAG stock number for 508 on the invoice. I ordered 508 online and went back and had them drain and fill with The Motul. The techs would not do the change, so the Service writer and I did it. The techs were crowding us like a bunch of street punks. Then I was charged for the removal of the incorrect oil they installed. Absolutely wonderful. That dealership has since changed hands.

 

[edyvw]

It is pretty ridiculous. My bet? (guess and probably wrong): Dealer is just buying oil from low bidder.

Definitely!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Yeah it stinks for sure

( Zee, not a reply to you, I am using your post a jump off point for me in this thread)

But is D1G3 0W20 garbage? Is 508 00 anything special? It's low HTHS stuff.

If there is magical sauce in there, educate me.

The real issue, at least for me, is the shell game, the deceit and the lies.

VAG must not have very tough zone reps re: drivetrain claims. The dealer could be in a pickle.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I just put cheap OMNI (OSP) oil in my wife's Subaru. The engine loves it, LOL

 

[Zee09]

It is pretty ridiculous. My bet? (guess and probably wrong): Dealer is just buying oil from low bidder.

My dealer was having Walmart deliver tons of consumables.
Walmart stocks good oil before someone slaps me but they had all kinds of fluids and supplies delivered right into the waiting room.. you think they would of dropped it off at the shop entrance

 

[edyvw]

( Zee, not a reply to you, I am using yoyr post a jump off point for me in this thread)

But is D1G3 0W20 garbage? Is 508 00 anything special? Its low HTHS stuff.

If there is magical sauce in there, educate me.

The real issue, at least for me, is the shell game, the deceit and the lies.

VAG must not have very tough zone reps re: drivetrain claims. The dealer could be in a pickle.

How do you know it is D1G3?