Dealer thread that uses wrong oil..

[03_01_TDI]

ONLY REPLY TO THIS THREAD IF YOU CAN POST INFO ON A DEALER THAT HAS OR IS USING THE WRONG OIL, please

Lets use one thread to post a reply to if you have had or know of a dealer that has used the 505.00 oil in the PD.

1 Dealer name
2 City and state
3 Dates that you know of
3 how you know the wrong oil is used

 

[03_01_TDI]

Al Johnson
Dalton Georgia
from the start to now and probably for a few more weeks

I went to the part counter and asked for the 505.01 oil. Was told by the parts manager that he had talked to VW and was told that the 505.00 is the only oil they have and is to use it. After I told him that they have went againts the owners manual and damaged a lot of new TDIs. He went to find a TSB to state that the 505.00 oil can be used in the PD. The parts manager, two service writers, the service manager, and a tech all had not one clue about which oil to use. After about 30 minutes they found the TSB that clearly states that only 505.01 oil is to be used!!! There last comment to me was "i guess you know more than I do"

Thats pretty clear that any TDI PD serviced in north Georgia has had the 505.00 oil used.


No need to reply to this unless you can add more about Al Johnson VW in Dalton Ga. Please only reply if you have a different dealership that has or is using the wrong oil.

 

[owr084]

Kinda off topic, but...

Who wants to go over to an "Iffy Lube"

and "debunk" their annoying ads that they know as much about your cars requirements as the dealer. I'd be willing to bet that they don't have any 505.01 in stock AND that the entry in their computer for a PD TDI is incorrect. Course, that would put them on par with the dealers in this thread...

RBB

 

[MDIESEL]

Anyone in Central Pa worried about if their shop is using the right oil can feel safe going to H. A. Boyd VW in Lebanon. Not only do the techs and service writers know about the pd and it's requirements, but I work here and drive a pd. I've been very attentive to the services performed on my car. At the previous dealer which I had worked, I actually had to find the TSB about the oil and show it to the service manager (who no longer works there)before he would get the parts dept to order the correct oil. Scary to say the least.

I know this is a wrong oil thread, but I thought it might help if we also state where good service can be found.

 

[skinz2k5TDI]

Well, I can list two dealers in particular

1. Congressional VW
Rockville, Md
Uses Castrol Syntec

2. Leith VW ****NO LONGER AN OFFENDER*** EXPLAINED BELOW
Cary, NC
also uses syntec

I've told both dealership service advisors and the service mgr in the case @ congressional that the PD needs 505.01 or higher oil.. their response is... nah... syntec is fine for your car... i told them VW has strict requirements on the oil used... I mentioned ELF.. MOTUL, and they had never heard of these brands... needless to say, I now change my own oil..

If you go to either of these dealerships..(or any for that matter) ASK what type of oil they use.. prior to setting up the appointment...

**** LEITH must have gotten a nw service manager... they now have the castrol 505.01 all over the service department and in the parts department... I guess someone is reading the threads we post!!!

 

[saabguru]

I have inquired at Sterling VW in Abilene, Texas, and they are up on the 505.01 situation. The Parts/Service manager, Greg Parks, is a sharp guy and has been there forever. He also drives a VW. Their mechanic is sharp, too. It's a very small dealership.

 

[tjl]

Who wants to go over to an "Iffy Lube"

and "debunk" their annoying ads that they know as much about your cars requirements as the dealer.

Given some of the stories here about dealers' knowledge of what oil to use, those ads could actually be correct in some places.

 

[RichS]

Hillcrest Volkswagon
Lower Burrell, PA
AGIP 5W40

I too went in after purchasing a 05 TDI Jetta to request a spare quart/liter of 505.01 oil. They said they do not carry the oil in quart/liter bottles, only in bulk (55 gallon drum). After some research, the oil that they use is not 505.01 certified. I have made them aware of this, so they may change their pratice in the not too distance future. But until then, they will not perform the oil change with the correct oil required to keep your warrenty.

 

[Fahrfuwerfuelen]

Cutter VW - Ala Moana
Honolulu, HI
February 2005

OK, so this probably does't affect too many of you, but when I called the Parts Dept. and asked for 505.01, the parts guy had no clue as to what I was talking about. After explaining it's required for a TDI diesel, he said the techs always use Castrol Syntec 5W40. He read the specs from the container -- VW approved 505.00 and 502.00. He insisted this is the right oil.

 

[03_01_TDI]

Fahrfuwerfuelen, your posting is perfect. This thread serves many purposes.
To inform other PD owners of which dealership are stupid. To inform VW of America how many stupid dealerships there are and possibly to have a listing in case of a class action law suit.
Also if whats true about the "wrong" oil being used if a few years when PD TDI engines begin to crap out all over the US there will be some info/proof that dealerships have/did use the wrong oil. I would guess that many people will be searching the net and talking about how there 2004 PD TDI car needs a new engine in only a few years.

 

[GCMarx]

Brookline VW
Brookline, MA
um...not sure when I had it done, around Oct./Nov.
wrong part number for the 505.01 oil

happy ending:
Checkered Flag VW
Virginia Beach, VA (757 represent!)
This is my home dealership, and they knew right off which oil to put in. (Hell, the service WRITER [not the manager, even] knew the spec BY NAME, off the top of his head.)

 

[trae]

Lynch VW, Chicago, IL-

At least the parts guy knows the right oil. I got an NB ('02) oil filter there the other day-he asked me if I needed oil and was I using full synthetic-then showed me two bottles one VW 505.00 and one Castrol 505.01 full synthetic. Sounds like they are at least aware of the TSB I was pleased and frankly surprised.

 

[Fahrfuwerfuelen]

Thanks!!

I also wrote to VWoA about this dealer and the only other VW dealer on Oahu (Tony VW). Tony VW knew of the 505.01 spec., but didn't have the oil in stock. Kinda puts us in a difficult situation. No 505.01 or go to a dealer who has no clue and uses Syntec.

However, all may not be lost. I understand that a local distributor is scheduled to get some ELF Excellium DID 5W40 (505.01 approved) in a few weeks.

Some we won't have to rely on the VW dealers.

 

[wgmoller]

I had another thread going on about my misfortune just the other day. Stay away from:

Pugi VW in Downers Grove IL.

As I noted on the other thread this was a horror story where I continually questioned oil after dealer changes. SYNTEC was on the invoice and I was told it was a billing computer error. I was dismissed when showing them the Tech Bulletin. Parts doesn't carry 505.01...the parts mngr even telling me Castrol doesn't make it. Service Mngr finally admits he doesn't know what's in his bulk tank...will wait for Castrol rep to tell him. Hopes it's 505.01

 

[TDIinRI]

I went to Scott VW in East Providence(Rumford),RI today to buy a bulb. While at the parts counter, I saw a few shelves sticked with the Syntec 5w40 with an 8x11 piece of paper taped over the shelves that said: "DO NOT USE IN 2004 DIESELS" I guess that is a good think.

 

[vwrobert51]

I can tell you its knowen for a fact that CUTTER VW MAUI has and does use the right oil for P/Ds also MCKENNA VW KONA also knows this, as for TONY VW and CUTTER ALA MOANA they do know, and have in stock, all the techs know this! its possable you got a newbie parts counter man at the time you asked, next time ask for PETER in parts he knows.

 

[03_01_TDI]

ONLY REPLY TO THIS THREAD IF YOU CAN POST INFO ON A DEALER THAT HAS OR IS USING THE WRONG OIL, please

Repeat. WRONG OIL THREAD. Months and years from now when PD engines start dropping like flies nobody will care which dealership used the right oil.

 

[bigfoot]

obrien urbana illinois went in to buy 5liters n filter they tryed to sell me castrol syntec 5-40 505-oo 502-00 i couldnt get through to them on the 505-01 i left called vw comsummers. they called 0brien. hope they got it right now havent been back sence. whats weird is i have got it there before. that is 505-01castrol of course

 

[farfrumsanity]

I recently purchased a 2004 TDI Jetta. The dealer informed me that it required synthetic oil, since I use Castrol Syntec anyways, I thought it wasn't a big inconvenience. Now I find out that it is 505.01 and you can only get it at VW dealers. I called and they said it was 7.00 a quart, which really isn't that bad, but after reading the postings here, I wonder if they didn't quote me the 505.00 price, and don't even know they are wrong. I contacted Amsoil and they said they are looking into a 505.01 spec oil, but have no timeframe for availability. I like my Jetta so far, I just hate being over the barrel for buying oil. Castrol Germany has a 505.01 oil they import to the U.S. but they said it was only available through VW dealers. I hope that the availability will spread to outlets other than dealers.

 

[kl5]

Autobarn
Evanston, IL

As I posted on the other thread, I discovered that they had used the wrong oil for my first oil change by reading the invoice where it listed bulk synthetic oil at 4.40 per quart. I called then to ask about it, they checked my invoice in their records and then asked me to come in immediately for an oil change. I think this was an instance of someone not paying attention and installing the wrong synthetic a.o.t. them not knowing that the new TDI require the 505 01 oil, as they do have it in stock and were able to quote me the proper oil over the phone. Just make sure to remind them when you take a car there that 505 01 is the only appropriate oil and ask them to show you the partially used fifth quart. (Now I know.)

k.

 

[Fahrfuwerfuelen]

VWRobert:

I know you are on top of it. When I called Cutter Ala Moana, I spoke with Glenn (Parts) and he had no clue. All he knew was Castrol Syntec.

Maybe VW needs to take a proactive refresher course for their dealers.

Maybe you should have included the Parts people in your training!!

 

[bigfoot]

went to urbana illinois today stoped at obriens vw they got the right oil now 505-01 625liter. this is after i got them on the right track. was selling castrol syntec 505-00 502-00

 

[MARKC]

Maroone VW in Delray Beach, FL did the 5K mile service on my Jetta TDI and used Castrol Syntec 505 00. I challenged the use of Syntec to the service manager several days later and he assured me it is the correct oil.

I called VW Customer Service and told them of the situation. They called the dealer service department and he assured VW Customer Service that Castrol Syntec 505 00 is the proper oil. He contends they buy it directly from VW.

VW Customer Service stated they documented the situation and warranty will be valid. They seem to think the dealer defines which oil shall be used.

My concern is that I drive cars for many miles and years and the effects will show up when the warranty is long expired.

I then decided to buy 505 01 and do all oil and filter changes myself. That seems to be the only way to resolve the problem. If a simple oil change cannot be done to VW specs, just imagine what more complex repairs could yield.

 

[dieseldorf]

If a simple oil change cannot be done to VW specs, just imagine what more complex repairs could yield.

You got it !! It's somewhat disturbing to learn that you buy a new car and find out nobody can fix it and you don't really have a warranty, either

"Syntec" can NEVER be used in a PD.

 

[leicaman]

In reading this entire thread and many like it, I have come to conclusion that VW did not communicate this 505.01 oil requirement very well with the dealership network. But it sure seems they communicated it with the owners manual and many owners have picked up on the communications that include a relatively terse dire consequences sticker under the hood. I suspect that if a legal eagle gets into this VW could be put to task, particularly when folks have their oil changed at authorized franchises and the work was done incorrectly.

 

[Davin]

In reading this entire thread and many like it, I have come to conclusion that VW did not communicate this 505.01 oil requirement very well with the dealership network.

Sure they did. But I suppose you can't account for dealers that don't read anything that the fatherland sends them.

And if VWoA Customer Service doesn't take the dealers to task... that's another story. A very sad one.

 

[donsdiesels]

This whole oil thing reminds me of when I bought my first VW diesel in Glendale Ca. in 1977. This was the first VW diesel sold in Glendale. While driving home from the dealer the injection pump shifted slightly. I returned to the dealer and they finally had the dealer rep set the pump the following week. This event let me know that the car would have to be serviced by myself. I purchashed all the tools to handle valve adjustments, set the injection pump and even an injector tester. These tools worked just fine on a series of four VW diesels.

When I purchashed my 04 Jetta PD I thought that I would do minor work such as oil and filter changes myself knowing that California was a problem state for PD's.

What surprises me is that the dealers are just as bad as they were in 1977, maybe even worse. VWoA doesn't seem to care. Don

 

[delste]

If a simple oil change cannot be done to VW specs, just imagine what more complex repairs could yield.

You got it !! It's somewhat disturbing to learn that you buy a new car and find out nobody can fix it and you don't really have a warranty, either

"Syntec" can NEVER be used in a PD.

Diesel, where DO you get all this obscure info.

Tell the truth now, how many hours a day do you devote to this site. I wish someone would start a survey to see how many hours a day/week people spend here.

 

[ymz]

>>I wish someone would start a survey to see how many hours a day/week people spend here. <<

You wouldn't happen to be a divorce attorney, would you? I'm afraid if the results of such a survey were broadcast, many "TDI-Club Widows" may get inspired to file for separation...

Yuri.

 

[UWTDI]

I have tried all of the VW dealers in Oahu HI. I think none are very good at complying with the VW parts specs when it comes to generic maintenance items. In fact most other VW dealership oil changes often resulted in using 10w30 with overfill of the oil...drives me crazy. So I am now doing all my oil change at WalMart for my 96 B4 b/c I request Mobile 1 5w40 Full synthetic (4.25 quarts) and a filter for 30 bucks! Besides, I stand there and watch them do it so I can catch if they screw up.

Only place I have done proper maintenance is either in Korea or Germany where there were certified VW mechanics with VW parts. Granted it was most expensive but I knew they used genuine parts what the book says!