Why VW Asked For It

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
I think VW dug their own grave when it comes to this sludge mess.

I've been saying this for years now. But like mori pointed out, I think things got lost in translation and only in North America we have these problems, hence blame on VW of America. In Europe, the oil requirements were pretty straight forward hence there was no confusion - only synthetic oil was used.

In the US, I think somewhere around 2004 VW issued a pamphlet specifically stating that 502.00 oil must be used. But as your example pointed out, even up until today some dealers just don't listen. For example, up until recently, my g/f would get the oil changes done at her dealer on her '01 Jetta 2.0. The price was $29.99 (parts+labor). It's hard to believe they'd be using synthetic oil at this price.

 

[bretfraz]

Seriously, how many VW owners or servicers have the first clue about VW 502.00 or any other factory oil spec?

No question, VW screwed this up big time by requiring some arcane oil standard then not properly educating their owners about what and why.

But in this particular case the VW owner has to shoulder the blame. He knew his car required a specific type of oil but failed to inform the oil change place and ensure they would use the proper oil. When he passed on the responsibility to someone who didn't know the spec, he assumes full blame when things go wrong. How hard would it have for the VW owner to ask, "What oil are you planning to put in my car?" That would have started a conversation and education that benefits everyone. Instead the owner just assumed the oil change guy knew exactly what to use and why.

I love how the informed owner tries to deflect the blame to everyone but himself. Next time he needs to research the oil change place first or at least bring his own oil.

If it were me, I'd either do my own oil change or, even better, get rid of the car. VW's oil spec is silly and I won't support them by purchasing one of their cars. That'll learn 'em.

 

[TooManyWheels]

How can you imply on one hand that the VW owners don't have a clue, and then say a couple of paragraphs later that this one is informed and responsible? (Keep in mind that it is not Michael's car under discussion). I'm not big on nailing people to the wall on their exact wording, but I'm having trouble with the train of thought here.

 

[panthermike]

My sister has an 06' Passat, they change the oil w/ bulk 5w30 maybe every 7K. At 40K miles, it has some pretty nasty deposits. Plus they have always used 87 octane, the car seems less powerful then when new and doesn't run that well. I told them about 502.00 and using premium fuel, of course they had no idea and still use bulk 5w30 and 87. Some people want the nice cars but don't want to pay the premium for maintenance on these euro cars

 

[buster]

German engineering.

 

[RF Overlord]

I have a question: How many owners of these cars were TOLD by the sales wonk at the time of purchase that they required special servicing? I bet it'll be a mighty small number...

 

[Audi Junkie]

Originally Posted By: buster
German engineering.

How is that different than other speced oils?

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
My sister has an 06' Passat... they had no idea and still use bulk 5w30 and 87. Some people want the nice cars but don't want to pay the premium for maintenance on these euro cars

Bingo. Plus VW's marketing implies their modern vehicles are as simple as aircooled beetles: they even have that horrible talking car "host" in some of them. I give them credit for turning the "peoples car" into a near-luxury marque that's still attainable... but yegads, they are not like they used to be under the hood!

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Originally Posted By: buster
German engineering.

How is that different than other speced oils?


It's not about oils. It's about a cultural propensity for complexity ..on many levels. We're dumb and numb and get everything (mostly) generic.

Stuff like that central hydraulic fluid that is only match in VI with aviation grade synthetics ..with a price to match. They do because they can ..not always asking if they should.

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
I have a question: How many owners of these cars were TOLD by the sales wonk at the time of purchase that they required special servicing? I bet it'll be a mighty small number...



It's funny that you say that because when my sister and her husband got their 06' Passat with the 2.0T, the salesman actually told them that they didn't need premium fuel, they could just use unleaded. This was after the sales manager said, use premium fuel ONLY!

 

[Audi Junkie]

Even MB went back to ATF-PSF.

A lot of the VW probs I saw was owners coming from simple cars like old Jettas to a Passat 1.8T and not being ready with the 2 big items which avoid failures, timing belted interference engine and synthetic oil for teh turbo.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Originally Posted By: buster
German engineering.

How is that different than other speced oils?


It's not about oils. It's about a cultural propensity for complexity ..on many levels. We're dumb and numb and get everything (mostly) generic.

Stuff like that central hydraulic fluid that is only match in VI with aviation grade synthetics ..with a price to match. They do because they can ..not always asking if they should.



Sometimes simple is better. Making things more complex for the sake of complexity is dumb. VW has more specific oils spec's than any other engine maker I can think of. I don't think any of their engines are all that great either.

 

[Nickdfresh]

Originally Posted By: buster
German engineering.

Well, you know the German's always make great stuff.

 

[peterdaniel]

The German mentality has always been " We know best, just shut up and listen" They also have the mentality that whatever it is they produce is so obvious to them, shouldn't other people see it just as easily??

Then again, humans in general are a stupid bunch. They literally need to be hit over the head with a 2x4 in order to understand even the most basic of directions/instructions.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: peterdaniel
The German mentality has always been " We know best, just shut up and listen"

And why not? After all, they made the car, so why wouldn't they know what's best for it? But somehow the message got mixed up when crossing the Atlantic.

 

[buster]

...and that probably was true at one time but not anymore.
"German engineering" is a [censored] marketing tool. Means nothing.

 

[cven]

I love the Germans and they make some great stuff.....but really, who else would have oil specs that need decimal points?? LOL...

 

[buster]

I have a German made humidifier. It's "ok" but nothing special.

German cars are sharp. Evern since Audi hired that Italian designer their cars have become really nice.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: cven
I love the Germans and they make some great stuff.....but really, who else would have oil specs that need decimal points?? LOL...


I knew it. It's the metric system that's throwing people off. Someone needs to tell VW of America that, for example, instead of 502.02, they should have written it as 502-1/64 and all Americans would have gotten it right away.

 

[buster]