Which 5W-40, if any, for Audi?

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How does someone "search the threads extensively" and not know what German Syntec is?
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Back to the original post...

1)How do you define a "better" oil?

2)What problems/complaints do YOu have about your current oil, Mobil 1 0w-40?

3)What do you hope to gain and how can you even discern a difference between top-tier oils at 3000-5000 mi intervals?

4) You trust Audi on their oil specs, but not on their interval recommendations? Shouldn't the two be somewhat interchangable?

On one hand, you decry the opinionated members' personal recommendations. On the other, you continue with an ambiguous line of inquiry that encourages it...because there is not much HARD data out there, certianly none that is hidden from your vast research of used oil analysis.
 
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Would anyone care to offer up some opinions?

Do you know the HTHS of the Syntec 5W-40? I can't seem to find it anywhere...

which is a better trade-off - a 0W that will do better on cold starts, but shear more, or a 5W which will shear less, but perform less well on cold starts?

It doesn't sound like there is a good reason to switch from what I'm already using (Mobil 1 0W-40)...

Unless I'm missing something important that someone wants to clue me in on.

Tooslick, what is your comment on Doug Hillary's remark above that claims about Mobil 1 0W-40 suffering from excessive shearing are misinformation?

a 502 rating is nice to have (but not a must) and would like to stick to a 5K OCI, which oil do you think would be better than Mobil 1 0W-40 and why?



Oye.
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I have the 1.8t in my 2001 TT. I use M1 T&S 5w-40. I have had no problems with it as I stick to a 5K OCI religiously. It is a good oil that I think surpasses AoA's oil recommendation. It is Delvac 1 afterall. A good diesel oil with great cleaning properties.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Audi Junkie:

On one hand, you decry the opinionated members' personal recommendations. On the other, you continue with an ambiguous line of inquiry that encourages it...because there is not much HARD data out there, certianly none that is hidden from your vast research of used oil analysis.


And whose personal recommendations did I decry?

I may have asked for clarification as to why someone held an opinion, but I don't think I said anyone's choice of oil was wrong.

DD
 
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I'm hoping that there might yet be some more nuggets that could be uncovered my turning over a few more rocks.

20+ Members give a reply, their personal opinion, and you appear to still be right where you started.

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Originally posted by Audi Junkie:

quote:

I'm hoping that there might yet be some more nuggets that could be uncovered my turning over a few more rocks.

20+ Members give a reply, their personal opinion, and you appear to still be right where you started.

confused.gif


And I'm required to make a decision right now?

AudiJunkie - I thank you for your opinion. You seem think Mobil 1 5W-40 is pretty good stuff. You also seem to think Mobil 1 0W-40 is pretty decent, too, but not quite as good as Mobil 1 5W-40.

If you have some additional insight into the other oils people mentioned, I'd love to hear it.

Otherwise, it seems that the fact that I'm asking questions annoys you. And I'm not sure how to help you on that.

DD
 
Did I say I was annoyed? I just think it's stupid to keep restating your question(s) after so many members have offered the same 'ol answers here and in past threads...or am I missing something?
 
GC comes only in one weight 0w30 and can be found only at one store Auto Zone..

It will say Made in Germany on the back of it!

It is A3 rated oil and it will keep you engine and turbos happy!
 
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VOA/Audi screwed up with the sump capacity/OCI/oil quality specification on the 1.8T, and the problems and subsequent remedial measures evidence that error. These sludge-prone engines need synthetic at a minimum to survive. It's not the first instance where a manufacturer erred, and it won't be the last.

The sludge issue in the 1.8T occurred only in North America. Keep in mind that most newer Euro versions of the 1.8T are actually equipped for LL service and have much longer service and OC intervals than their NA export brethren. The sludge issue in the 1.8T in the NA market was due to

- dealers using conventional oil
- oil that didn't even meet the required specs
- neglect by the owner

VW and Audi were negligent when it came to educating dealers and customers and when it came to making sure that their vehicles were properly maintained. When I got my A4 in '96 I quickly found out about the complete lack of care that was rampant. The dealer told me proudly my engine (2.8 V6, not 1.8T) would run just fine on the cheap conventional 20w50 oil they used for everything. I then knew I was royally screwed. VOA and AOA are only about selling cars. They don't give a hoot about proper service, unless it begins costing them. Because of that mentality, which is to blame for the 1.8T sludge issue, I decided years ago to never again buy another new Audi (or VW) in the US.
 
DD,
I have a '98 A4 1.8T, currently at 77K. I've never had a 0W-40 in it, and probably won't ever. I just don't think the viscosity range is necessary (I live in NorCal too). Used Mobil 1 5W40 for one OCI, but the rest have been with synthetic 5W30 oils. I don't really like depending on VI Improvers if I don't need to. The handfull of used oil analysis I've done have been satisfactory, usu. at 5k mi.
Keep in mind, it takes longer than usual for me to rack up the 5k miles as this isn't a daily driver. I do drive it hard though, autocross and track time.
 
Pushslice,

I agree the viscosity range isn't necessary here. We could probably get away with a 20W-30/40, if there was such a thing.
smile.gif


Which synthetic 5W30 have you been using? And are your used oil analysis posted?

Thx,

DD
 
quote:

Originally posted by DD:


The question question you quote above was specifically directed at Volvohead, whom I quoted when I asked the question, because he seems to think Mobil 1 0W-40 is very sub-optimal.DD

I NEVER wrote that. You obviously can't read, or you read what you want into what is written.

Your question was what oils were BETTER than 0w-40 for your intended application. Mobil 1 0w-40 is a superb oil. But it has some OCI limitations, particularly the way you want to use it. The other oils are BETTER at longer OCIs.

Then you started shifting the target to challenge the answers.

I agree with Audi Junkie: your reasoning wanders and places the rabbit in the hat after you have been given good advice.

I am done with this thread.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Volvohead:

quote:

Originally posted by DD:


The question question you quote above was specifically directed at Volvohead, whom I quoted when I asked the question, because he seems to think Mobil 1 0W-40 is very sub-optimal.DD

I NEVER wrote that. You obviously can't read, or you read what you want into what is written.

Your question was what oils were BETTER than 0w-40 for your intended application. Mobil 1 0w-40 is a superb oil. But it has some OCI limitations, particularly the way you want to use it. The other oils are BETTER at longer OCIs.

Then you started shifting the target to challenge the answers.

I agree with Audi Junkie: your reasoning wanders and places the rabbit in the hat after you have been given good advice.

I am done with this thread.


Did I say you wrote that? No. Did I provide a direct quote? No. The phrase 'he seems to think' should have clued you in that it was a paraphrase.

And I didn't say 'Volvohead thinks Mobil 1 0W-40 universally sucks'. I used the phrase 'sub-optimal' which, by your own description above, you feel it is in this particular application, as you think there are better choices to be had. If there are better choices to be had, then, by definition, Mobil 1 0W-40 is sub-optimal in this application.

If you want to argue about the use of the adjective 'very' in that paraphrase, I have better uses of my time, and I hope you do, too. And, given all of this, might I suggest that you look in the mirror next time you accuse someone of a reading comprehension problem?

Thank you for the recommendations you provided earlier in the thread. They're duly noted.

*sigh*


DD

[ June 29, 2005, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: DD ]
 
So, DD, have you decided on an oil yet?
wink.gif


On a serious note, if you can find GC, I think it would be a perfect fit for your Audi. I'm currently running it in my VW GTI 1.8T & I love it.

[ June 29, 2005, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: wavinwayne ]
 
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Originally posted by wavinwayne:
So, DD, have you decided on an oil yet?
wink.gif


Touche!
worshippy.gif


Seriously, though, I think I've narrowed it down to a shortlist that I'll do further investigation on based upon availability and some more reading of others' used oil analysis.

But given all the drama, I'm reluctant to post it for fear of starting another tizzyfest...
wink.gif


DD
 
quote:

Originally posted by wavinwayne:

On a serious note, if you can find GC, I think it would be a perfect fit for your Audi. I'm currently running it in my VW GTI 1.8T & I love it.


The one concern I would have with GC would be availability. Rumor on the GC forum seemed to be that the supply is expected to dry up, and if you don't already have a stash, you may be out of luck.

DD
 
quote:

Originally posted by DD:
Pushslice,

I agree the viscosity range isn't necessary here. We could probably get away with a 20W-30/40, if there was such a thing.
smile.gif


Which synthetic 5W30 have you been using? And are your used oil analysis posted?


DD, sorry used oil analysis not posted; I haven't been too active on this board. I'll try posting my next one in a couple months.
Most of the last 4 years on the A4 have been on Havoline Synth. 5W30. I get a little bit of the infamous valve lifter noise at startup, but it goes away quickly after warmup.
 
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Originally posted by DD:

quote:

Originally posted by wavinwayne:

On a serious note, if you can find GC, I think it would be a perfect fit for your Audi. I'm currently running it in my VW GTI 1.8T & I love it.


The one concern I would have with GC would be availability. Rumor on the GC forum seemed to be that the supply is expected to dry up, and if you don't already have a stash, you may be out of luck.

DD


The supply of green GC is drying up, but it has been replaced by gold GC (which carries the same ratings as the green GC, IIRC). Unfortunately, we don't know yet if gold GC performs as well as the green GC. Only time and more used oil analysis on the gold GC will tell the full story. In the meantime, many of us are stocking up on the green GC when we see it.

Another oil you might want to consider is the new Pennzoil Platinum 5w-40 Euro.
 
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