I would think that quote by the well known oil producer would be "May not provide adequate protection in engines specifying VW 504" (in other words....if the engine specs VW 504...this VW 508 oil may not provide adequate protection....
VW 508.00 Does it really matter?
- Thread starter sohccammer427
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Some engines were designed for an oil with a min HTHS of 3.5 (i.e. 502/505, 504/507) and VW sees no reason to determine if they could back spec them for 508 (Min HTHS 2.6). The lack of a back-spec has nothing to do with the performance of an oil. It's akin to saying 9mm rounds are suspect because I can't use it in my Colt 45.
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My wife's car is a 2019 Tiguan SEL R-Line with about 50K miles on it.
Did a few oil changes myself using Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20 GF6 and a Wix filter every time at 7,500 intervals.
Zero problems.
No mpg loss, a slight increase if anything. 24.3 extended period mpg.
Did a few oil changes myself using Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20 GF6 and a Wix filter every time at 7,500 intervals.
Zero problems.
No mpg loss, a slight increase if anything. 24.3 extended period mpg.
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@RipperMagoo
He did share Mr. Expert in a cheeky way and it went right over your head.
Of course you should be using recommended 50800 but instead you chose A1/B1. Not very smart.
For example since you're claiming the Pennzoil product is better, what performance specifications of GF-6 are more stringent than for VW 508 00 approval? I notice you removed the line about it being better but it was in your original post. Do you even know what the requirements are for the GF-6 specification and for VW 508 00 approval?
Also what about the 508 00 approval is outdated? That's another line that is now gone, but what makes it outdated? The sludge prevention? The resistance to oxidation? The HT/HS requirement? Which ones are outdated?
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Got a source for that fancy graph?
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"The performance charts are not a literal translation of a performance specification and should not be used as a replacement for evaluating engine oil performance in accordance with the relevant vehicle manufacturer’s requirements."
A graph is a nice tool and all, but what about the specifics? Brand of oil? What climate were they tested in? Etc.
A graph is a nice tool and all, but what about the specifics? Brand of oil? What climate were they tested in? Etc.
What would that have to do with anything? How is brand and climate more relevant that actual specification and approval requirements?
Specifications and approvals are "specifics".
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Brand A of 0W-20 might have different additives than brand B of 0W-20. My point is, no brand of similar viscosity oil is the EXACT same oil of a different brand. Am I wrong?
None of this is about grade really. You originally claimed that the Pennzoil GF-6 product was better and that 508 00 approval was outdated, I thought you meant in terms of documented performance.
And the whole finished oil is what culminates in those specifications and approvals, additives are only a part of that. No one here is able to look at two oils that have the same approval or specifications and determine that one oil is better than another due to the "additives". For one thing, no one knows what all the additives are. No manufacturer publishes a comprehensive listing of the additives in their oils.
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So I shouldn't trust what I currently use? Will my engine eventually grenade? It won't last 200K +/- miles?
It just seems crazy to me that a car manufacturer can't trust their own engine if the consumer doesn't use ONE VERY SPECIFIC type of oil.
Hard to believe that a specified oil is so magical.
It just seems crazy to me that a car manufacturer can't trust their own engine if the consumer doesn't use ONE VERY SPECIFIC type of oil.
Hard to believe that a specified oil is so magical.
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All of which is nice but you initially claimed that the Pennzoil GF-6 product was better than the oil with 508 00 approval, and that the VW oil was outdated. Just still wondering what the basis was for those comments.
And it's not about magic it's about documented real-world performance through specifications and approvals, many times it is related to a performance guarantee for extended-drain capability. That's not the only consideration as that Infineum spider graph illustrates some of the other requirements for an approval. HT/HS is another one.
It's also not about trust either. That's generally an argument when one is trying to promote one brand over another. Are you upset that you purchased a VAG product and they tell you what oil to use?
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Yes, its very magical. That is the only way to go 10k miles with minimal pollution and maximum mpg, and whatever VW considers acceptable wear patterns.
So, if you change your oil at 7.5k, 5k, or 3k, do you need the 508 oils? do you even need synthetic?
If you use a non-OE spec oil, you should gather multiple UOA's to see what is going on. Otherwise, you're shooting in the dark or playing Russian Roulette.
BTW, when I looked in erwin for my VW engines since owners manual scares you into 508 oil only:
1.4L (DGXA / DJXA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
2.0L — (DKFA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
And, even though my owners manual recommends 87(or higher), erwin mentions "but with reduced performance" concerning
'lower octane' fuel. So, mine has always enjoyed premium at every fill up. Notice how the owners manual is catered to the US sheeple market never mentioning premium fuel for the 1.4T or the 'reduced performance'. Can't have that with the cheapskate market!
My weather patterns are fine with 504 and 502 oils. So, I gave in and filled her up with Pennzoil 0w40 Euro and 5w30 EuroL leftover oils I had on the shelf. I am maximizing pollution and minimizing MPG
and enjoying my not-so-reduced performance of USA 92-93 octane fuel!
So, if you change your oil at 7.5k, 5k, or 3k, do you need the 508 oils? do you even need synthetic?
If you use a non-OE spec oil, you should gather multiple UOA's to see what is going on. Otherwise, you're shooting in the dark or playing Russian Roulette.
BTW, when I looked in erwin for my VW engines since owners manual scares you into 508 oil only:
1.4L (DGXA / DJXA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
2.0L — (DKFA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
And, even though my owners manual recommends 87(or higher), erwin mentions "but with reduced performance" concerning
'lower octane' fuel. So, mine has always enjoyed premium at every fill up. Notice how the owners manual is catered to the US sheeple market never mentioning premium fuel for the 1.4T or the 'reduced performance'. Can't have that with the cheapskate market!
My weather patterns are fine with 504 and 502 oils. So, I gave in and filled her up with Pennzoil 0w40 Euro and 5w30 EuroL leftover oils I had on the shelf. I am maximizing pollution and minimizing MPG
and enjoying my not-so-reduced performance of USA 92-93 octane fuel!
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
We went about this, IDK, since BITOG forum is available.
There is a reason for approvals. It is designed for YOU, the customer not to guess what to use. The approval process sets up minimum requirements (yes, there are differences among approved oils). VW (and generally European manufacturers) have the most stringent approval specifications and do require a much higher level of oil performance. It is not all about grade and HTHS, it is about the amount of deposits left, oxidation, etc. etc. Will your engine granade? No. It would not grande running ANY available oil in Wal Mart. Oil is oil, it will lubricate moving parts. However, the question is what happens in 10k? 50k? 100k? How much deposits will be left? Is sludge going to develop? We do not know that; you do not know that. Hence, approvals!
If I was warrantying a few million engines I'd probably want to know what oil people are using too. This isn't unique to VW.
Do I think your engine will blow up with a plain jane 0w20? No. Just keep in mind the 508 oil is not only green, but also has a vanadium tracer in it. So if VW wants to know what oil you have been using, they can find out pretty easily.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
No. Approved oils are not only about OCI. OCI is just one, among many requirements! It is absolutely false to think that one could use non-approved oil only if it is changed earlier.Yes, its very magical. That is the only way to go 10k miles with minimal pollution and maximum mpg, and whatever VW considers acceptable wear patterns.
So, if you change your oil at 7.5k, 5k, or 3k, do you need the 508 oils? do you even need synthetic?
If you use a non-OE spec oil, you should gather multiple UOA's to see what is going on. Otherwise, you're shooting in the dark or playing Russian Roulette.
BTW, when I looked in erwin for my VW engines since owners manual scares you into 508 oil only:
1.4L (DGXA / DJXA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
2.0L — (DKFA)
VW 508 00 (0W-20)
VW 504 001 (0W-30)
VW 502 001 (5W-40)
And, even though my owners manual recommends 87(or higher), erwin mentions "but with reduced performance" concerning
'lower octane' fuel. So, mine has always enjoyed premium at every fill up. Notice how the owners manual is catered to the US sheeple market never mentioning premium fuel for the 1.4T or the 'reduced performance'. Can't have that with the cheapskate market!
My weather patterns are fine with 504 and 502 oils. So, I gave in and filled her up with Pennzoil 0w40 Euro and 5w30 EuroL leftover oils I had on the shelf. I am maximizing pollution and minimizing MPG
Also, UOA cannot identify all variables that are required by the approval process. An approval process is different than UOA. VW does not approve oil using UOA of oil, but exposing oil to specific tests and than using more comprehensive UOA that is not available to you as regular person. Not to mention, that manufacturer of oil has to deliver data of engine wear and other parameters during RD.
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