I just had the oil changed and the dealer put 0-30w in

[showdown 42]

I am confused that the 0-30w is suppose to be what is used now. Manual says 5-40w synthetic for the 2016 TDIs Any thouhts on this? I called another dealer and got the same message 0-30w

 

[Seatman]

Could just be an update, they're always changing these things.

 

[showdown 42]

I appreciate updates,but oil isn't rocket science, each level of viscosity represents a different environment the oil will be used in. If I lived in Canada I might agree with the change,but I live in an environment of intense heat 10 months of the year. The TREG was serviced in South west FL Most days the low temp is 80 and high 90's with lots of traffic. 0-30W is incredibly light for those conditions,in my opinion.
I guess I'm saying one weight for everything makes no sense. Who will pay for the issues with engine with premature wear or oil burning when the car is out of warranty? It will be my problem for sure.

 

[DivineChaos]

The thinner oil helps with cold start and fe.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

This is probably the oil they used: https://www.idparts.com/high-performance-genuine-engine-oil-0w30-ge550301qdsp-p-13000.html
It meets the 507.00 spec that your Touareg requires. All 507 oils have a 30 top number because the spec includes a fuel economy requirement that precludes a higher top number. VW used to sell 5w30 Castrol, but they've migrated their oil relationship from Castrol to Mobil, who packages the oil for VW.

Although sometimes when VW has changed oil specs (the 505.01 oils for '04-'05 TDIs come to mind) it's been a problem. But I don't think anyone has had a bad experience with the 507.00 oils.

 

[Mongler98]

Imo anything to make them last less!
Nothing was wrong before right!

 

[turbobrick240]

Not much daylight between the 30 weight and 40 weight 507 oils. I'd find something else to worry about.

 

[showdown 42]

If you keep the car for the warranty period I guess there is no harm. If you intend to keep it long term and drive in super hot weather all the time I am saying it may just not be good for 250,000 miles on the OD. It is your problem to deal with.
We should get an oil expert to tell us if oil weights make any difference any more. I know they used too. Driving in Canada and FL is vastly different on what a car goes through.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I repeat, there isn't a 40 weight 507 oil. The spec doesn't allow it.

 

[turbobrick240]

I repeat, there isn't a 40 weight 507 oil. The spec doesn't allow it.

Oh, that's right- I was thinking of the MB 229.51 spec that did allow for 40 weight. So there's essentially no daylight at all between the 5w30 and 0w30 507 oils in the Florida climate. Most of the new cars now use 0w20. That must really set some old geezers pants on fire, lol.

 

[showdown 42]

I'm an old geezer, grew up making hot rods from early flat head ford V-8s,probably used straight 40 or 50weights in summer and 20 or 30W in the winter. lol

 

[turbobrick240]

It's pretty amazing how much things can change in a lifetime. Someone born here in 1900 saw everything from the electrification of the country, to the advent of fixed wing aircraft, to men walking on the moon. Someone born in 1950 witnessed computers the size of house with minimal compute transform into supercomputer smart phones that everyone carries in their pockets. Staggering to think of what the next 50 years might bring.

 

[showdown 42]

I guess after some discussion here the old system of grading oil's effectiveness has changed and a 5-40w oil recommeded is now 0-30w. I am not concerned about the 0W because I live in a constant mild to hot climate,but the upper end of 30W vs 40W is enough protection when towing or high speed driving at 90 degrees. Something goes wrong long past warranty and it's on you to foot the bill. Sounds normal these days.

 

[turbobrick240]

The engine was designed to run on 30 weight oils. Thicker isn't always better.

 

[Savageman69]

I guess after some discussion here the old system of grading oil's effectiveness has changed and a 5-40w oil recommeded is now 0-30w. I am not concerned about the 0W because I live in a constant mild to hot climate,but the upper end of 30W vs 40W is enough protection when towing or high speed driving at 90 degrees. Something goes wrong long past warranty and it's on you to foot the bill. Sounds normal these days.

5w40 was never approved for these engines...because no 5w40 is 507 spec....so the difference between 0w30 and 5w30 is little to nothing. This is not a issue at all