Penzoil 5W50 Synthetic the right oil?

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travispdx

Member
Joined
May 14, 2003
My wife had the oil changed in the car yesterday, and I had told her to make sure to have them use synthetic. I looked at the receipt this morning and they used Penzoil Synthetic 5W50 oil for my 2003 Jetti TDI Wagon. Is this the correct oil?
Thanks - Travis
 
dieseldorf

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
travis, does it meet the criteria spelled out in your owner's manual?
 
T

travispdx

Member
Joined
May 14, 2003
That is the problem - I am away from my manual (it's at home) - but I can't imagine that it does. I have never seen or used 5w50 oil.... Maybe I was just reading it wrong...
 
A

AutoDiesel

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2000
Location
Pacific Northwest
It is only rated API CF. It is not rated VW505 or ACEA B3/B4. This is not a very good oil for TDi's.

Probably be a good idea to change it to one of the recommended oils.
 
T

travispdx

Member
Joined
May 14, 2003
Autodiesel - where did you find the penzoil ratings? I would like to print them out and take it back to the dealer and make him change the oil.
The jetta is leased....so I really don't want to be responsible for any damage.
Thanks - Travis
 
dieseldorf

dieseldorf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 11, 2000
Location
MA
TDI
ex- 1996 wagon, ex-2000 Jetta
pdf link to 5W 50 << not an approriate product for a TDI


European Formulation << potentially appropriate product for TDI


Travis, I bet if you go back and get them to drain the 5W50 they will replace it with the Euro Formulation...no questions asked.



ps. don't blame your wife.
 
T

travispdx

Member
Joined
May 14, 2003
Thanks guys. I printed out the info and will give the guys a call tonight and take the car back tomorrow - I am sure they will just be thrilled to have to fix it...
THanks guys..I really really appreciate it.
Travis
 
T

tjl

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 19, 2001
Location
California, USA
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
It is only rated API CF. It is not rated VW505 or ACEA B3/B4. This is not a very good oil for TDi's.
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It is also the wrong viscosity (should be 5W-40 or 5W-30 -- if the latter, probably a thick 5W-30 like Castrol Elixion).

If it was a VW dealer, shouldn't they have used Castrol Syntec 5W-40 in a TDI engine unless requested otherwise?
 
D

Deception

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2001
It is also the wrong viscosity (should be 5W-40 or 5W-30 -- if the latter, probably a thick 5W-30 like Castrol Elixion).

If it was a VW dealer, shouldn't they have used Castrol Syntec 5W-40 in a TDI engine unless requested otherwise?
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Running a 5W50 viscosity oil in your TDI is fine.
 
T

travispdx

Member
Joined
May 14, 2003
If that is true should I even stress about it then if I am going to have it changed again in 4k miles?
 
T

TEXAS_TDI

BANNED
Joined
Dec 20, 2001
If that is true should I even stress about it then if I am going to have it changed again in 4k miles?
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Yes you should worry about it and yes you should make them change it immediately. Why? Because VW says to use a minimum rating API CF-4 oil. Pennzoil is API CF. VW says to use a minimum ACEA B3 oil. Pennzoil doesn't even have an ACEA rating.
 
D

davran

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Location
Vancouver Island BC Canada
TDI
'05 Passat TDI Wagon
Pennzoil has a Synthetic 5W-40 that's fully VW 505 rated. I found it at my local Jiffylube, and was told all of them have it. The can has a yellow star on it saying "European Formula".

This Pennzoil 5-40 looks to be a correct oil for our TDIs.
 
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