Which engine oil?

[razbox]

Hi,

I wonder whether people on here prefer a particular make of engine oil to top up their R8s. Audi told me to use Castrol 5w/30 - is that what you prefer too?

thanks

[randombloke]

I use castrol Edge 5w30 (which superceded castrol SLX professional powerflow 5w30)
that is VW 504 00 which is ok for longlife and inspection service routines.

this is the one also recommended by castrol via their oil lookup:

Edge 5W-30
AUDI (VAG)
R8 4.2 FSI V8 Quattro R-Tronic (BYH 309kW - Variable Service)

[mngolfer]

My engine blew-up in my '04 A8L. I used Mobil One the entire time. In May of '08 the service manager told me that Audi of America informed the dealer they will not warrant any engine that does not use Castrol 5w-30 synthetic. This is what they used in the replacement engine on my A8 and the R8.

[R84ME]

That's an interesting story but I suspect there may have been more to it than just oil. Porsche recommends and uses Mobil 1 0W40 in all 2009 cars.
I'll need to figure that out soon with 500 miles and no oil required yet...

[mngolfer]

I used Mobil 1 in my A8 from day one. I do not know why AOA told my dealer to change. Is Castrol sponsoring the Audi racing team?

[desperado]

Look closely at the oil filler cap. It says "Castrol recommended" in English and German right on the cap, and the letters are molded in. The USA sticker nearby says "Use only oil meeting VW Spec 502 00. Most are Synthetic." So, I use the Castrol 5W-40 Syntec (USA), as only this viscosity grade of Castrol Syntec has the proper approval shown on the label.

I'm sure there are differences in oil branding in other markets, so check with your dealer if you are outside the USA. Why tempt the Fates?

And yes, Castrol is a big sponsor of Audi racing

[R8 England]

Any Audi dealer who says there is only one "approved" oil is ignorant and stupid.

We had a thread on this last year and I posted a link to the VW approved oil list. Unfortunately, the link is down and althought I have a 15 page PDF file, it is too big to post.

In essence there are two types of oil you can use. One if your car is on a fixed service interval and one for the variable service interval.

Your dealer is half right on "Mobil 1". Unfortunately, it comes in a variety of grades and viscosities all marketed under the general product range "Mobil 1". Some meet the long life spec for variable service, others do not. For fixed service, "Mobil 1 0W40" is approved to 502 000 and acceptable. For long life service, use "Mobil 1 ESP formula".

Here is a cut-and-paste of VW approved 504 00 and 507 00 long life oils for variable service interval. I have not bothered listing the lower spec 502 000 (fixed service) oils.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engine oils which currently meet VW Oil Quality Standard VW 504 00 /507 00
Please note: Not all oils listed may be available in North America

©2007 Volkswagen of America, Inc. It has always been Volkswagen's policy to continuously improve its products. Volkswagen, therefore,
reserves the right to make changes in design and to make additions or improvements to its products without incurring any obligation to
install them on products previously manufactured. Text and specifications in this Supplement are based on information and knowledge
available at the time of printing. All rights are Reserved. No Part of this document may be reproduced or translated in whole or in part
without the written consent of Volkswagen of America, Inc. Specifications are subject to change without notice. If you are not sure which oil
to use, consult with your authorized Volkswagen Service Advisor.

Manufacturer Oil Type Viscosity

Addinol Addinol Mega light MV0539 LE SAE 5W-30
Agip Agip 7008 SAE 5W-30
Agip Autol Carrera Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Aral Aral SuperTronic Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Astris Astris Matro L-3 SAE 5W-30
Avia Aviasynth 5W-30 longlife III SAE 5W-30
BP BP Visco 7000 Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Bucher AG Motorex Profile V-XL SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol Edge SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol TXT 507 00 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Longlife III Hochleistungsmotorenöl SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow VW
Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Lo SAE 5W-30 n
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30
Castrol Castrol SLX LongLife III Topup SAE 5W-30
Cepsa CEPSA STAR TDI SYNT SAE 5W-30
De Oliebron Tor Extendo SAE 5W-30
Elf Elf Solaris LLX SAE 5W-30
Elf Elf Excellium TDI SAE 5W-30
ENI R&M Division Agip Formula FUTURE SAE 5W-30
Eurol Eurol Syntence Longlife SAE 5W-30
Eurolub Eurolub WIV ECO SAE 5W-30
FL Selenia Selenia Multipower Specs SAE 5W-30
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN GT1 Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Fuchs TITAN GT1 Pro C-3 SAE 5W-30
Galp energia Galp Formula Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Gamaparts GAMAPARTS Super LongLife III SAE 5W-30
Gulf Oil Gulf Formula GVX SAE 5W-30
Hunold Eurolub WIV ECO SAE 5W-30
Kuwait Petroleum Q8 Formula V Long Life SAE 5W-30
Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 SAE 5W-30
Liqui Moly Liqui Moly Pro-Engine M 600 SAE 5W-30
Meguin megol Motorenoel Compatible SAE 5W-30
Millers Oils Millers XF Longlife SAE 5W-30
Mitan Alpine Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Mobil Mobil 1 ESP Formula SAE 5W-30
Mobil Mobil SHC Formula V SAE 5W-30
MOL MOL Dynamic Gold Longlife SAE 5W-30
Motul MOTUL Specific 50400 507 00 SAE 5W-30
MRD Motor GOLD Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Neste Oil Neste City Pro W LongLife III SAE 5W-30
New-Process AG New Process eco syn Plus SAE 5W
Oel-Brack Midland Crypto3 SAE 5W-30
OMV OMV eco extra SAE 5W-30
OMV OMV BIXXOL special V7 SAE 5W-30
Opet Opet Oxt Formula V 507 SAE 5W-30
Panolin Panolin Avanis SV-X SAE 5W-30
Pentosin Pento Super Performance III SAE 5W-30
Petronas Petronas Syntium 5000 AV SAE 5W-30
Ravensberger
Schmierstoffvertr Ravenol WIV III SAE 5W-30
Repsol Repsol Elite Longlife 50700/50400 SAE 5W-30
Rowe HIGHTEC ECOSYNT Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra VX SAE 5W-30
Shell Pennzoil Platinum VX SAE 5W-30
Shell Q European Engine VX SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra LX SAE 5W-30
Shell Q Diesel Plus SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AP SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Ultra VX SAE 5W-30
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30
Shell Vapsoil 507 SAE 5W-30
Slovnaft Madit Gold Longlife SAE 5W-30
SRS Schmierstoff
Vertrieb Wintershall ViVA1 SLV plus SAE 5W-30
Startol Transit Diplomat Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Statoil Statoil LazerWay LL SAE 5-W30
SWD swd PRIMUS DPF SAE 5W-30
SWD Concep-Tech VX SAE 5W-30
TACTI Corporation Castle Euaro 504 SAE 5W-30
Techno Tecar Motorenöl 504 00 / 507 00 SAE 5W-30
Texaco Havoline Ultra V SAE 5W-30
Total Total Quartz INEO 504-507 SAE 5W-30
Total Total Activa INEO SAE 5W-30
Total Gulf Progress Intensia SAE 5W-30
Unil Opal Opaljet Energy 3 SAE 5W-30
Valvoline Valvoline SynPower XL-III SAE 5W-30
VAPS Vapsoil 507 00 SAE 5W-30
Volkswagen Original
Teile ® Volkswagen LongLife III SAE 5W-30
Würth Triathlon Endurance III SAE 5W-30
Yacco Yacco VX 2103 FAP SAE 5W-30
Zeller+Gmelin Divinol Syntholight 03 SAE 5W-30

[desperado]

First, I meant that 5W-40 is the only approved viscosity grade of Castrol Syntec, not that it was the only approved brand of oil. Sorry for the confusion, I'll try to be more precise in my wording next time. So, please chill with the ignorant and stupid comments, even though not directed directly at me - after all, we are all friends here .

Regional Differences again; no fixed vs. variable service interval is offered in the USA. I challenge you to find most (or any?) of the oils you listed in the USA. However, Castrol Syntec 5W-40 is readily available here at the corner Autozone. It has the VW approval prominently on the front of the label. And, as I pointed out, the USA car requires 502 00. While 507 00 may exceed it, do I know this? No. Did the dealer say it was the ONLY approved oil? No. Do I want to make things up as I go? No. Do I want to preserve my warranty? Yes. So, do I take my dealer's advice, given in a spirit of cooperation? Yes. Am I in Europe? No. If you are, then please ignore this, your rules are obviously different.

Jeez!

[darkmatter]

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 as recommended by my dealer. Not that it's the best, but for warranty. I plan on having my oil analyzed by my lab when it comes time for an oil change. Go ahead... ask me... i dare ya!

[desperado]

Man, I am SO sorry! darkmatter is correct, in USA the most commonly available approved oil is Castrol Syntec 5W-40!!! I went back and corrected my previous posts as I had been stating the wrong viscosity. I just went out to the garage and looked at the bottle to be sure!

And again the disclaimer that this may only be true in USA.