New "Special" Volkswagon TDI engine oil

[SBall]

My friend has a 2002 TDI Jetta which he loves, except for engine oil changes. The dealer insists that the engine requires a special synthetic oil that only THEY can provide because of some special ingredient. He's led to believe by the dealer that use of any other synthetic engine oil will damage the engine and void his warranty. Yesterday he showed me the dealer's "brand new version" of this special synthetic engine oil and while the label included all the latest API "S" and "C" (I believe it was CL) ratings, it also included mention of a "505" classification for VW. At almost $7/quart, he's investigating his options. Since I am considering the purchase of a TDI before the 2007 emissions guidelines hit, this issue of special VW TDI engine oil concerns me as well. Does anyone in the TDR community know the specifics regarding this new "special" synthetic engine oil for the VW TDI? Can a high-quality synthetic with a CL rating safely be substituted without damaging the engine or aggravating the folks at Volkswagon?

 

[fox]

This game can cost VW to do the oil changes for free.

They are breaking some laws if there is no option to buy oil. They have monopolized the service. What would happen if he had a leak and wasn't near a dealer?

It is like the oil filters, there should be options.

What does the owners manual say?

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

I am pretty sure any 5w-40 diesel approved oil will work in the non PD engines which came out in '04. The newer PD engines require VW 505. 01 oil. I have heard that oil meeting the 505. 01 specs. is starting to become available outside of VW.



Dan

 

[DSpencer]

Synthetic Rotella, Mobil suv and Delvac as well as most any other diesel oil will do. ROADWARRIOR is right and the dealer (do you believe it) is wrong. The pump deuse engines that use the 505. 01 oil started in 2004. My 03 uses Rotella synthetic but will get either Amsoil 5-40 or Mobil suv when I run out.

Tell your friend to tell the dealer to go jump in the whatever.

 

[FATCAT]

I run Amsoil Series 3000 oil in my '03 Jetta TDI. That "dealer" you speak of saying that only VW can supply the oil ... he is braking the law! It is a violation of the Magooson something act ... if the VW dealer was the only one you could get something from they would have to provide it for free.

 

[DF5152]

there is a new oild spec out for diesels it is the current rating wuth a plus. it is supposed to be designed for diesels with an EGR to help keep the soot out my guess is thats what they had/have since intake clogging is a problem with these.

 

[jdkenyon]

I have an '02 Jetta TDI also. I run Delo 400 Synthetic in it. It runs about $17 a gallon. The dealer told me that oil would work just fine.

 

[dodge cummins]

the european synthetic diesel oil is mobil 1 0w40. it is factory fill in the diesel liberties.

 

[FSecosky]

Yeah, I have a 2003 tdi as well, I have done some research and found some interesting things out. Up to 2003, the spec is 505. 00, there are also some "C" ratings to go by as well, but the dealer recommends (and has some kind of contract with) Castrol Syntec 5w40 (which I have seen on the label meets the VW 505. 00 spec). it was about $5/qt at the dealer for me. Now, the '04 and up has the 505. 01 spec and there are only about 3-4 makers of that oil, I think one of them is MOTUL, Castrol TXT, and I think there are 1-2 more ( I found these at www.worldimpex.com). Another good resource for these cars is www.tdiclub.com. The only reason I bought my oil at the dealer (the Syntec 5-40) was because I could not find "5w40" ANYWHERE else locally--much less one that would meet the VW spec--it is just not available at the normal auto parts stores, plus I was right on the time when I needed it changed, and had to make a move.

 

[SBall]

Thanks to all!

Once again the gang at the TDR proves to be a wealth of information and I thank everyone who chimed in. Hmmmmm... . Roadwarrior and DSpencer have me wondering about this new Pump Deuse injection and whether the folks at VDub have noticed any accelerated cam wear when used with the previous oil, thus the new oil formulation? DF5152 also raises a good point regarding the EGR system and intake manifold soot. And Fsecosky, thanks for the link to that neat website. If I'm not mistaken, I think this pump deuse system is still individual mechanically-actuated unit injectors driven off the rubber timing belt, right? I wonder if the TDI would require such an exotic oil if it had a high-pressure common rail system like the Mercedes or the Cummins, in lieu of pump deuse. ?!?! I think a TDI would be parked in my driveway right now if it had a gear-driven cam(s) and a diet for less-exotic motor oil.

Steve

 

[dougwatts]

I've got a 97 Ram 2500 and a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon. I use Rotella Synthetic in both of them. It meets specs for both. Matter of fact I use it in my John Deere tractor. Exotic - well, I just searched on Rotella's website, found the distributor, and buy it by the case from him. Now as to gear driven cams on the TDI, I assume you're thinking about longevity. The TDIclub site leads me to believe my TDI will be running as long as my Ram is.

 

[amsoilman]

My friend has a 2002 TDI Jetta which he loves, except for engine oil changes. The dealer insists that the engine requires a special synthetic oil that only THEY can provide because of some special ingredient. He's led to believe by the dealer that use of any other synthetic engine oil will damage the engine and void his warranty. Yesterday he showed me the dealer's "brand new version" of this special synthetic engine oil and while the label included all the latest API "S" and "C" (I believe it was CL) ratings, it also included mention of a "505" classification for VW. At almost $7/quart, he's investigating his options. Since I am considering the purchase of a TDI before the 2007 emissions guidelines hit, this issue of special VW TDI engine oil concerns me as well. Does anyone in the TDR community know the specifics regarding this new "special" synthetic engine oil for the VW TDI? Can a high-quality synthetic with a CL rating safely be substituted without damaging the engine or aggravating the folks at Volkswagon?

Forrest Secosky "hit the nail on the head"

Up till the 04 TDI model the VW spec 505. 00 was good enough, then came the latest spec for VW, which is 505. 01. There were also 501. 01, 502. 00 along the way.

AMsoil makes 5W-40 API SL/CI-4+/CF wich meet the above specs as well.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[KERMA]

I use Amsoil "European Car Formula" 5W-40 in my 2001.

 

[Ncostello]

I convinced my mom to get an 05 Golf GLS (loaded) TDI in bright Tornado Red. She purchased it new about 3 weeks ago and loves the mileage. She has always liked VW cars anyway... so now seemed like a good time for her.



She told me that her dealership advised her the oil needed to be changed at the dealership. After reading the bulletin... which shows the brands available for oil... I'd just assume she let them do it. I'd have a hard time getting the oil anyway. And I'd rather not mess with a cartridge filter.



Here is the oil bulletin for the 04 and newer PD TDI engines.



Volkswagen oil bulletin



From what I understand... there are some lobes in the injection pump that create something like 28000 psi on the oil... which most oil cannot stand up to.



THUS... if you use just any diesel oil... you could very well experience stoppage (burned up injection pump?) at highway speeds.



AND I gotta admit... for $22,000 loaded... it is a very very nice car that is super fun to drive. Lots of room and all the toys. Solid feel and 6 airbags in the front standard.