- Joined
- Feb 28, 2010
- Messages
- 1,663
Hello everyone, been a while since I have posted and for some that is probably good news haha.
Folks that have read some of my posts know how up in the air I was on using a 504 approved Oil in my VW GTI vs the recommended 502. Some of this post may sound repetitious but I am just giving a bigger picture for those that have not read any of my posts.
VW 502 is a High SAPS oil, I was using M1 0w40 and changing it every 5K miles. UOA's showed that this was totally fine.
Then the whole Lubrizol Report about "newer" Low SAPS oils and how they "may" contribute to as much as 47% decrease in carbon vavle deposits of which are VERY common on DI motors.
So this got me thinking. mmmmm (maybe thinking too much) That I should give the 504 oil (Low SAPS) a try. So I ordered up some PU Euro 5w30 L (say that 3x's fast geeze) and filled my GTI with it about a month ago, or say around 1200 miles ago.
To make a long story longer, my GTI was at the dealer getting serviced on an issue I was having and while there I was talking with the mechanic that was a very cool guy by the way. We spoke about oil and he was actually quite knowledgeable. Yeah I was surprised too. He was telling me sure I could use a 504 but to change it every 3-5K miles, but then stated that its not really the sulfur in our gas alone that makes the use of 504 "questionable" to use. I asked what else. He said that the 504 oil does't really like Ethanol. Ethanol in CA is at a minimum of 10% and some places are converting to E15 or 15% ethanol now. He was saying that the 504 does not hold up well with it. He also went on to say that most likely I will need to get my valves cleaned anyway, its just a matter of when. I asked how much that is and he said around $600 and they media blast the valves. he considered this "routine" maintenance on a TSI motor.
So yeah yeah, I know, its an opinion and probably a truth, and then I got to thinking some more. So far with the 504 oil in. I have not noticed ANY change in the behavior of the motor itself. So many people have claimed a smoother running engine, revs better, less turbo lag and this is coming from GTI forums. For me? I have noticed none of that. I have actually noticed a drop in MPG's by 2. Though I am thinking this "could be" do to use of the A/C more since its been in the 100F+ range for the past month.
So I was calculating in my head (scary thought) and came up with, if I use a 504 in hopes that the valves stay cleaner (the whole point to use it) it generally costs me about $20 more to use vs. the M1 0w40 I can get at Wallyworld. Calculate that my lets say 70K miles and I realized that how much more I am paying for the Low SAPS oil, oveer time, would just be the cost of the Valve cleaning job anyway. 
So unless the 504 oil in itself is "better" and that is subjective at best, I am now questioning my decision to go with it in the first place. 
So for me, I throw this out there again, and I know certain folks are gong to bash me 
because I am so indecisive but Im just trying to learn and figure things out. Keep in mind that my car is in the most demanding of environments. Very extreme heat in summers. very dusty and on top of that my car is Turbo Charged and is DI.
Since Low SAPS oils do have less additives so to speak, do they protect critical engine parts as well? Or what ever is in there even in lower quantities is sufficient, you just have to change it more frequently? Basically is my engine going to wear quicker using this stuff? Is it worth the money to you guys?
I dont like changing brands of oil all the time, but a friend on these forums uses M1 ESP in his TSI equipped car and likes it. I am using the PU version 5w30 Euro L but am not really impressed. Maybe my expectations were to high? Or was thinking that water was going to turn into wine or something haha.
Let the bashing commence. 
Jeff
So unless the 504 oil in itself is "better" and that is subjective at best, I am now questioning my decision to go with it in the first place.
So for me, I throw this out there again, and I know certain folks are gong to bash me because I am so indecisive but Im just trying to learn and figure things out. Keep in mind that my car is in the most demanding of environments. Very extreme heat in summers. very dusty and on top of that my car is Turbo Charged and is DI.
Since Low SAPS oils do have less additives so to speak, do they protect critical engine parts as well? Or what ever is in there even in lower quantities is sufficient, you just have to change it more frequently? Basically is my engine going to wear quicker using this stuff? Is it worth the money to you guys?
I dont like changing brands of oil all the time, but a friend on these forums uses M1 ESP in his TSI equipped car and likes it. I am using the PU version 5w30 Euro L but am not really impressed. Maybe my expectations were to high? Or was thinking that water was going to turn into wine or something haha.
Let the bashing commence.
Jeff
If you want to save money and still run mid/low SAPS oil, buy Valvoline Synpower 5w-40 from Walmart.
As far as the ethanol comment, I thought they were using similar amounts of ethanol in most places in Europe as well. Or did they abandon that idea?
