VW and Audi oil recommendations the same?

[David Audi]

Hi. I have an Audi. I found an Audi TSB that lists Audi approved oils. I also found the VW list. The VW list has many more oils than the Audi list. Are all of the oils on the VW list "okay" for an Audi, or should I use one of the ones on the Audi list?

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10128350-9999.pdf

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10249418-0001.pdf

 

[tired]

Hi. I have an Audi. I found an Audi TSB that lists Audi approved oils. I also found the VW list. The VW list has many more oils than the Audi list. Are all of the oils on the VW list "okay" for an Audi, or should I use one of the ones on the Audi list?

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10128350-9999.pdf

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10249418-0001.pdf

If you provide your make, model, year, and your location, everyone can provide you with much better advice.

 

[ripcord]

Aren't Audi and VW kind of like Cadillac and Chevy? Two sides of the same coin? One just has fancier trim and more expensive shop fees, but mostly have shared engineering?

 

[rstsco]

If you provide your make, model, year, and your location, everyone can provide you with much better advice.

In addition to these items, what does the sticker under the hood show as the appropriate oil specs, e.g. VW508.00/509.00?

 

[David Audi]

Thanks for the help.
2019 Q5.
Sticker on the engine compartment is 508 00.
Just posted a related question about Mobil 1 ESP x2 0w-20 not being on the current VW list of approved "worldwide" oils for 508 00. I just bought some for my next change based on it being on this list:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10231581-0001.pdf

 

[rstsco]

Here is a post showing three VOAs of oils meeting the 508.00 spec. It includes Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20. This Mobil 1 is highly regarded.

 

[Trav]

Aren't Audi and VW kind of like Cadillac and Chevy? Two sides of the same coin? One just has fancier trim and more expensive shop fees, but mostly have shared engineering?

Yes and no, more Audi vehicles are made in Germany and usually a higher build quality. There is talk of some being built or have been built in the USA and Mexico like VW but the quality may take a hit.
There are some minor differences between some Audi and VW engines but they will not make any difference to the oil spec.

What Audi models are made in Germany?


Germany: Ingolstadt (headquarters and major production site for models like the A3, A4, A6, A7, A8, and various performance variants) and Neckarsulm (producing models such as the A6, A7, A8, R8, and e-tron GT). The Volkswagen Zwickau plant also builds the all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron.

This list is not 100% accurate either many A4 models were also made in Neckarsulm, I have heard it claimed the Ingolstadt cars are better built, I have owned both and didn't see any difference. The difference to a Mexico built VW is significant.

 

[David Audi]

Here is a post showing three VOAs of oils meeting the 508.00 spec. It includes Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20. This Mobil 1 is highly regarded.

Puzzling to me because that Mobil oil was on prior VW lists, but not on the most current list:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10249418-0001.pdf

Maybe it was removed by mistake?

 

[scrllock]

Puzzling to me because that Mobil oil was on prior VW lists, but not on the most current list:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10249418-0001.pdf

Maybe it was removed by mistake?

That is not the current list.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11020322-0001.pdf

that's newer and does have ESP X2.

But it's a 2019, you are likely out of warranty. Zero reason you can't use a slightly thicker 504 oil to combat fuel dilution/shear.

 

[David Audi]

scrllock- Thanks so much, I could not find a newer list.
My car is specified for 0w-20 oil. On the list, 504 oil is available as 5w-30 or 0w-30. Which do you suggest?
Also, I am in Los Angeles, so mild temps.

 

[scrllock]

scrllock- Thanks so much, I could not find a newer list.
My car is specified for 0w-20 oil. On the list, 504 oil is available as 5w-30 or 0w-30. Which do you suggest?
Also, I am in Los Angeles, so mild temps.

Personally I would use whichever is cheapest. Any 504 oil is excellent. 0w30 ESP is the current flavor of the month on this forum, but it does not matter for that climate at all.

 

[David Audi]

Thanks for the fast reply. Reading a few other posts on this topic, would I need to get my engine "tuned" to use the 504? (And, forgot to add, happy holidays.)

 

[scrllock]

Thanks for the fast reply. Reading a few other posts on this topic, would I need to get my engine "tuned" to use the 504? (And, forgot to add, happy holidays.)

absolutely not.

This oil pump gear sprocket is the only change made for the thinner 508 spec. At higher viscosities the relief valve in the pump self-regulates. There is no electronic tuning or anything needed to handle thicker oil. The VVL/VVT system works exactly like normal. There are many people running 0w40/5w40 in 2019+ GTIs, which have the same engine.

 

[David Audi]

Thanks for this info, very helpful.

 

[kschachn]

Thanks for the fast reply. Reading a few other posts on this topic, would I need to get my engine "tuned" to use the 504? (And, forgot to add, happy holidays.)

As not noted already this is not true. I have run my “20-grade” EA888 on a 50-grade for a while to see if it helped with consumption. I’m back to a 504 oil.

 

[oil pan 4]

L

 

[rstsco]

Hmmm. Honda is just above a Ram and well below a Kia? Okay.

Still happy I got rid of the Audi before its warranty ran out.

 

[edyvw]

Hmmm. Honda is just above a Ram and well below a Kia? Okay.

Still happy I got rid of the Audi before its warranty ran out.

JD Power

 

[Koster_13]

If an oil is on the official approvals list, it´s safe to run, no matter the price, even under the warranty period.
Some OEM specs are universal, some are engine/brand specific.

 

[tc1446]

I use 5-30 Euro in my Audi. Usually Pennzoil or Mob 1. It has the 2.0L Turbo, prob same as your Q5.