VW VR6 oil selection

[Kessler]

I'm having trouble selecting an oil for my car. It's a 2000 VR6 with 130k km on it. I'm currently using mobil 1 5w30 but I want to switch to something less expensive. I'm north of Toronto, so we have an extreme swing in climate from summer to winter. I had decided on Rotella 5w40 based on another members experience..(didn't want to bug you again) but now I'm reading that the formulation is different in Canada than the US? is this true? Also, OEM recommends 5w40.

My options:

1) Rotella Full Synthetic 5w40: year round. (if it's the same as the US)
2) Esso XD3 0w40: Is this suitable year round for my car?
3) German Castrol Syntec 5w40: Although I heard there's a reformulation and it hasn't been tested?

I do about 15k km a year, so that would mean one oil change a year on Full Synthetic roughly. I'm torn... can someone set me straight or give me some insight. Thanks.

 

[buster]

The Esso xw-30 and xw-40 are excellent oils and two of the best in their class IMO. They are extremely shear stable. Many down here probably wish the Mobil 1 variety was of the same caliber.

 

[JHZR2]

the esso seems to be a great oil. At a great price no less.

I like the rotella 5w-40 in my BMW. Its a great oil. I cant imagine that the formulation in Canada is worse than in the US. Seems that you need at least a group III to be synthetic, let alone meet the viscosity spread. Regardless of the actual makeup, chances are its base and additive package is half decent.

JMH

 

[Reg# 43897]

RTS is currently only found in America. I have heard people claim it is now avaliable here in Canada yet the website does not support this (nor does a check with a Shell bulk plant).

Every time I am in America I pick up a couple of gallons for my bike.

John.

 

[pscholte]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kessler:
I'm having trouble selecting an oil for my car. It's a 2000 VR6 with 130k km on it. I'm currently using mobil 1 5w30 but I want to switch to something less expensive. I'm north of Toronto, so we have an extreme swing in climate from summer to winter. I had decided on Rotella 5w40 based on another members experience..(didn't want to bug you again) but now I'm reading that the formulation is different in Canada than the US? is this true? Also, OEM recommends 5w40.

My options:

1) Rotella Full Synthetic 5w40: year round. (if it's the same as the US)
2) Esso XD3 0w40: Is this suitable year round for my car?
3) German Castrol Syntec 5w40: Although I heard there's a reformulation and it hasn't been tested?

I do about 15k km a year, so that would mean one oil change a year on Full Synthetic roughly. I'm torn... can someone set me straight or give me some insight. Thanks.

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Kessler,

Believe I would go with the XD-3 0w-40 as I think it is the best of the oils you listed (while I am a Castrol Euro oil kind of guy I am not sold on the 5W40). It is most assuredly suitable for year-round use in your car. I think you might be confusing the 0w30 from Germany and the 5W-40 from Belgium. Unless you are hearing about reformulation from another source, the possible reformulation we have been talking about on BITOG (if we are your "source") is the German 0W-30.

 

[Kessler]

Yeah, xd3 is a grp VI vs the grp III rotella. From reading it sounds like its as good or better than Mobil 1 at 1/2 the price! I'm going to stockpile the stuff just in case

 

[Kessler]

Also, I do a LOT of cold starts and short distance driving, will using a 0 wt oil cause any more significant wear than a 5 or 10wt over time?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Actually, in this case, 0w-XX should result in LESS wear.

 

[pscholte]

quote:

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Originally posted by Quattro Pete:
Actually, in this case, 0w-XX should result in LESS wear.

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Agree completely with QP...0W means quicker lubrication to the whole engine but especially the top end.