My VW dealer put 5w40 in my '06 TDi?

[bockegg]

bock,

you are making this harder than it should be. all oils have listed on the label somewhere which certification standards they meet. i'm not talking about a "reccomended for use in..." plug; i'm talking about the official certification standards part.

let me say this again: all oils which meet the vw certifications 505.01, 506.01 and 507.00 ARE APPROVED for use in vw's with pd engines (including your '06).

your manual is not the end-all-be-all of vw knowledge. remember, things change after printings sometimes. if you search in the fuels and lubricants forum, you will run across an official letter from vw that clearly states that oils with 505.01, 506.01 and 507.00 are suitable for use in vw's with pd engines.

i'm telling you, you're asking for trouble by putting your eggs in the dealership's basket. alot of the times, they have less knowledge than you do. and as far as manuals go, sometimes they have misprints. some manuals that came with early pd engine cars stated use of vw 505.00 oil, which was the wrong spec. anyone who had followed that advice and had had problems would have had warranty issues.

i'm not trying to be combative, but i suggest that you listen to some of the advice here. if you feel most comfortable getting oil from the dealership, that's fine. i would suggest that you make sure on the front end what you are getting b/c they often supply the wrong oil. just know, you do not HAVE to rely on the dealership for your oil/warranty needs.

I don't take my cars in to the dealership after the warranty is expired. If the dealer does the service, then they are responsible. If there is "engine failure on the highway that causes a crash and serious personal injury," then the service dept. is responsible. Certainly worth $60 and an extra hour to me.

 

[Scott Wolf]

valvoline does make a 5W-40 SynPower Full synthetic oil that meets the 505.01, 502.00 and 505.00. I have been buying it for $6.50 a quart.

 

[Kier]

Thanks for the help. The only problem is that I can't find the 505.01 anywhere else less expensive than the dealership.
It was $7 per litre at the dealer. No other place carries the 505.01 unless I buy it by the case over the internet and then it usually comes out to about the same price when you add the shipping.
Mike

Go to TDIParts.com or worldimpex.com. Both sites carry an abundance of 505.01 and 506.01 lubricants. I had the same problem back in 04 when I bought my Jetta Wagon. One ignoramous that worked in the service department said that all these synthetic oils are a waste of money. I never went back there again (Antwerpen VW - Severna Park MD). Maybe it took three years for them to learn about the cars they service. Stick with the recommended and never let the stealership tell you otherwise.

 

[scurvy]

valvoline does make a 5W-40 SynPower Full synthetic oil that meets the 505.01, 502.00 and 505.00.

Valvoline's Synpower full synthetic is listed as meeting 502.00, 505.00 & 505.01 in 20W50 & 5W40 viscosities according to Valvoline (http://www.valvoline.com/products/Synpower.pdf).

It is not on the list of VWAG 505.01 approved oils (http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/500/vw_tb_17-05-04.pdf). Valvoline Synpower 5W30, 5W40 & 0W40 are approved for 502.00 but this is not applicable to PD TDIs.

Just to confuse things further, Valvoline DuraBlend Diesel 5W40 is listed as being 505.01 approved but this oil is not available in North America.

On-bottle sales flackery is very different than finding out what standards the oil has been officially approved to meet. If we could believe what was on the bottle, we'd all be running Lucas Oil Stabilizer and 30 weight non-detergent mineral oil.

scurvy

 

[unitacx]

Thanks Tom: I think I will do my next oil change. I quickly heard a difference in the pitch of the engine when they put the wrong oil in last Tuesday.

That may be because of a change in viscosity, because perhaps your 505.01 oil was dino blend. It would not be related to the PD injector issues which appears to relate to scuffing. This is briefly explained (generically) by Lycoming.

Regarding dealers not using the correct oil, that is from misinformation. I'm not sure why VAG hasn't addressed the problem yet (use it for instruction on basic reading by the shop manager). Regardless, repair shops are very used to customers asking for certain types of oil.

- stan
'00 Golf (Rocketchip II, 520, TT 17 wheels, Valeo E-codes) - Rotella synthetic
'81 W123 240D/300Dt 5 sp - Rotella dino or synthetic
a couple of lawnmowers - Rotella synthetic that came out of the '00 Golf

 

[Bob_Fout]

My engine always sounds quieter for the first 1000 miles after an oil change, even with the same oil every time.

 

[tdisedanman]

Hi:

I took my '06 TDi in to the VW service dept. for the 10,000 mile service. The manual for my car states that 505.01 is the only oil that should be used. The dealership put 5w40 in my car, and when I called and asked the service manager he stated that, "They really have not seen any problems with putting the 5w40 in."

Since my owners manual states that "Very expensive engine damage," will result if you use synthetic 5w40, I insisted that they replace the oil with 505.01.

Am I wrong for insisting on this? Can the 5w40 really damage the engine?

Thanks

I would insist but first, I would get VWOA involved. Let them know just how freaking bad their dealers are.

 

[bockegg]

valvoline does make a 5W-40 SynPower Full synthetic oil that meets the 505.01, 502.00 and 505.00. I have been buying it for $6.50 a quart.

If they show me the bottle of the oil that they used and it has 505 01 on the bottle, then I won't ask them to change it when I take it back on Tuesday.

 

[o8K]

i had the same problem w/ my dealer here in Dallas putting just regular syntec in my car. I just gave up on anyone working on my oil, changed it out today myself with amsoil 3000 series. Changing the oil on these cars is super easy anyhow(the skirt underneath for the drain lug is a bit more, but not bad at all really), you can change the filter in a suit and tie. They also messed up my oil drain lug. If you wanna go nuts, get the amsoil bypass filter too

 

[Bob_Fout]

If they show me the bottle of the oil that they used and it has 505 01 on the bottle, then I won't ask them to change it when I take it back on Tuesday.

Do you trust Valvoline to make an oil they say meets a certain spec but has not been certified by the organization that created the spec?

 

[bigEZ]

Do you trust Valvoline to make an oil they say meets a certain spec but has not been certified by the organization that created the spec?

this further illustrates how maddening and confusing the whole issue can be for people:

1) our cars require very specific motor

2) this specific oil can only be bought conveniently at the dealership

3) many dealerships that do the oil change don't even know the spec, or use the wrong oil out of stupidity

4) while there are oils out there at places other than the dealership that are certified for the spec, some oils only say they "meet" the spec, leaving it up to the consumers guess as to whether or not this oil is indeed ok

what a mess!

 

[Bob_Fout]

Regarding #2...there are at least 2 places (and maybe 3) online to purchase 505.01 or better oil.

Yes Castrol TXT is only available at the dealer, but the price is fair. $6 to $7 a quart/liter.

 

[bigEZ]

Regarding #2...there are at least 2 places (and maybe 3) online to purchase 505.01 or better oil.

Yes Castrol TXT is only available at the dealer, but the price is fair. $6 to $7 a quart/liter.

i know that, bob, but i said conveniently; my point being that you can't just run out to walmart or autozone and pick up oil.

 

[Bob_Fout]

Can't get more convenient than ordering online and having it shipped to your door.

 

[bigEZ]

Can't get more convenient than ordering online and having it shipped to your door.

i disagree. if you get to an oci and want to change the oil on the weekend, only to realize that you don't have any, then you have to place the order and wait 1-2 weeks for the oil to get there, rather than just running down the road to pick it up (this doesn't happen to me -- b/c i keep stocked up -- but it happens).

 

[Bob_Fout]

UPS/FedEx/DHL ground takes 1 to 3 days, 5 at the most.

I would hope a TDI owner is on top of maint. enough to know an OCI is coming up and purchase the necessary parts ahead of time.

You gotta buy an oil filter, plus cabin filter, fuel filter etc. depending on which 10K maint. it is. If you're at the dealer purchasing the cabin and fuel filter, why not buy the oil too? Alternatively, if you're online purchasing the cabin and fuel filter, why not buy the oil online too and save shipping costs?

 

[bockegg]

Do you trust Valvoline to make an oil they say meets a certain spec but has not been certified by the organization that created the spec?

I'm not sure if this is the officical chart, but if it is, Valvoline does make a certified VW 505 01 oil. This is from info. on this site.
http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/3005/500_502_505_505_01oils.pdf

 

[Long_Range]

Yes that's the "Valvoline DuraBlend Diesel motor oil" others have mentioned. Not available in the USA. But who knows. Perhaps your dealer imported some.
Not likely though since I'd guess they can import TXT for less.

 

[hevster1]

__. BTW, did I mention that "DEALERS ARE EVIL" - stay away from them at all costs!)

Depends on the dealer. Maybe in your neck of the woods but not in mine.

 

[tditom]

i know that, bob, but i said conveniently; my point being that you can't just run out to walmart or autozone and pick up oil.

you have at least 10K mi between oil changes. That's a significant amount of time for the vast majority of people. It doesn't take much planning to be ready for that.

 

[o8K]

i would think reading this should clear things up a bit.
http://tdiclub.com/TDIFAQ/TDiFAQ-4.html

1) call me silly but i trust what im reading there.
2) i too was annoyed that my dealer couldnt get it right
3) im a test director/engineer for a very large millitary training device manufacturer, so, well, people not getting it right is a fact of life in my world so i got over my irritation pretty fast.
4) Learn the facts, and plan accordingly (true in all walks of life)
5) your preception of the facts will always change (plan accordingly)

 

[bhtooefr]

o8K: That FAQ hasn't been updated in YEARS.

Really, I'd almost say that the links to it should be removed for now.

It was written before the release of the PD-TDIs in the US, and therefore doesn't even begin to cover the oils for such an engine.

 

[o8K]

i dont claim to be an oil expert, but just exactly how much different could the PD be that would make ANY difference at all? My oil basics knowledge tells me the compression ignition and soot are the key points that effect what oil formulation should be. The PD is still TDI so im lost.... Again Im not an oil expert.

Im using amsoil 3000 series and im content that its the Right oil =)

 

[Bob_Fout]

Cam-actuated injectors.

 

[03_01_TDI]

i dont claim to be an oil expert, but just exactly how much different could the PD be that would make ANY difference at all? My oil basics knowledge tells me the compression ignition and soot are the key points that effect what oil formulation should be. The PD is still TDI so im lost.... Again Im not an oil expert.

Im using amsoil 3000 series and im content that its the Right oil =)

to futher explain what Bob pointed out. THe fuel is injected by pressure that is developed from an extra cam lobe. There is alot of pressure on this cam lobe. Near nothing else in the PD TDI needs the special oil just the cam lobes

 

[Dorado]

If it's a new car and it's your car, don't accept anything but the VW recommended oil type.

If VW wanted to straighten up their dealership network in the US, why not do hidden camera stings at their dealerships asking about technical features of the cars, having cars serviced, etc. Have a surprise exam day at a dealership; every employee has to take a short test on the latest info for his/her position. Etc. Do 2-3 years of testing and rank the dealerships according to the score, and then yank the bottom 20% off the list.

Then to save money, have remaining dealerships reduce the number of employees, by giving customers internet access and quick links to Fred's TDICLub!

 

[tntdifan]

If they show me the bottle of the oil that they used and it has 505 01 on the bottle, then I won't ask them to change it when I take it back on Tuesday.

The Valvoline Synpower 5W-40 bottle says something like "recommendations and approval level ... 505.01". (I checked one today at PepBoys.)

Valvoline will tell you flat-out that they "recommend and approve" it for 505.01, but it has not been through the VWAG certification process. Very odd that a VW dealership would go ahead and use it. (Maybe they can get it for less than the TXT, and are pocketing the difference?)

Unless you have another dealership close by, it's an excellent reason to do your own oil changes, so you have total control over what goes in.

That's not to say that the Synpower will hurt your car. I'm not convinced that any light-weigh synthetic with a diesel service rating will hurt your car (or mine), but of course you want to stay with 505.01 while your warranty is in force.

 

[o8K]

hrm. wonder if i should switch to the european amsoil oil instead being its 505.01 rated and all. 3000 series isnt, contentness of my oil choice is wearing off... i would love to keep this car on the road for a very long time, its my most favorite vehicle ive owned in so many ways. Well i certainly apreciate the involvement you all have here and what im learning. =)

 

[wjdell]

Conforms to 505.01 is what VW states nothing more

o8K if you have a PD and under warrenty you need to switch to AFL do not exceed the rec'd OCI. If you want the backing of Amsoil switch. I also doubt that they would not support you for one or two crankcases of their HDD. If you are out of warranty and want to use a Amsoil that is thicker than try DEO.

 

[tdisedanman]

i disagree. if you get to an oci and want to change the oil on the weekend, only to realize that you don't have any, then you have to place the order and wait 1-2 weeks for the oil to get there, rather than just running down the road to pick it up (this doesn't happen to me -- b/c i keep stocked up -- but it happens).

It sure does. I needed PS fluis for my wifes B5 on a weekend. Couldn't get it anywhere. Has to wait until Monday morning and stopped at the dealer. Also, for my A5, on three different stops at the dealer, they did not have an air filter in stock. Hmmm...that was unbelievable. They also did not have a fuel filter for my A5 for my 20K service.

So, they have now lost business. I have two TDI's and so does my brother in law. We just ordered over our oil/filters (air/oil/fuel from World Impex. Service was great and parts arrived in about 5 days.

The only thing you can count on with VW is not to count on the dealers. Also,last time I bought oil from the dealer, they forgot they charged me 6.25 per litre about 30 days earlier. I went back for more 505.01 for the A5 and they wanted 10.00 per litre, same parts person. After some complaining, they charged me 6.25 per litre.

After buying two TDIs from them over a maybe 5 week period, and bringing my brother in law in who also purchased two TDIs, I don't expect to be treated like that. And I basically stated that to the parts person.