Response for Castrol Syntec

[Michael Welu]

I e-mailed the manufacture of Castrol Syntec about my dealer using it for my TDI. I told them that I could not find a varity of their oil that meet the specifications in the VW manual.

Apparently they have a special oil that only VW dealers get? That does not sound right. What do you all think?

Here is the response that I got:

Thank you for contacting Castrol regarding the appropriate oil for your Volkswagen diesel.

VW of America has specified that Syntec 5W-40 be used in all warranty repairs and free maintenance of 1996 and beyond TD-I models. Therefore, Castrol Syntec 5W-40, which has an API SJ/CF rating, has been formulated exclusively for VW and Audi to meet Volkswagen TD-I engine warranty requirements, including testing in TD-I engines. At this time, it is only available at VW and Audi dealerships.

Syntec 5W-40 exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer’s warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API CF is recommended. Castrol Syntec 5W-40 exceeds the engine protection requirements including Volkswagen 502 00, 505 00 and European ACEA A3 and B4.

Hopefully, by the first quarter of the year 2002 this grade will be available through mass merchandisers and retail stores.


Susan Howell

 

[dieseldorf]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael Welu:

Apparently they have a special oil that only VW dealers get? <hr></blockquote>


Yes, at this time the oil is only available at your favorite dealer and many do not even inventory it or use it for TDI service. Many stories around that one...

 

[Sun Baked GL]

Even if they do start stocking it in your local Wal-Mart, the Rotella 5w-40 is still going to be less expensive than Syntec 5w-40 and the Rotella 5w-40 does carry a CH-4 rating unlike the Syntec's CF rating.

Somehow I don't see a lot of Duramax, Powerstroke, and Cummins owners jumping on the Syntec 5w-40 bandwagon if it ever shows up. They'll probably look at the bottle, chuckle, and say it's just another gasser oil.

Right now the easiest synthetic diesel oil to buy for your TDI is going to be the Rotella 5w-40 synthetic at your local Wal-mart. Everything else is going to require a bit of hunting and/or phone time.

 

[TooSlick]

Sun Baked GL,

The pickup truck diesels you mentioned all call for a CH-4 rated oil, so the Syntec isn't suitable for those. I think the 5w-40 Syntec will turn out to be more popular with owners of German gas engine cars that are looking for a ACEA "A3/B3", or VW 502/505 oil. There are such oils already available (like Mobil 1, 15w-50 or the 20w-50 Syntec), but some people see those as being too heavy for year round use.

Of course Castrol has gotten such bad press over using Group III base oils that the car nuts most likely to use it have largely been turned off the stuff ...

I should mention there are other 0w-40/5w-40 synthetics currently available on the shelf that are VW 505 and/or ACEA rated:

* Valvoline Synpower
* Havoline Synthetic
* Quaker State European Formula
* LubeMoly 5w-40
* Mobil 1, 0w-40

TS