hamproof

Engine oil low (w/ the Min logo) warning came on this morning while driving to work. Drove for about 20miles before reaching a gas station to buy some oil. Anyway, only Valvolines were sold in this gas station, so I bought a qt. of Valvoline 5W30 synthetic (SynPower I think, >$5). Anyway, it is barely above the low marker (on dipstick). I'll be buying more after work at a local auto store. Should I use the same Valvoline or can I buy Mobil 1 synthetic instead? Also, I checked the Mobil site, and there's a new synthetic blend oil. Any advice on whether to use this or a full synthetic?

<a href=http://www.mobil.com/mobil1_racing/about/products/dcb/index.html>Mobil 1 family of Motor Oil</a>

DavidT

It will not matter much since you are < 2k away from your first service. Just continue monitoring your oil levek and make sure that there are indications of leaks and or worn piston rings.
- puddles of oil under the car.
- oil streaks/ stains on underside of the engine.
- smoke emitting from your tail pipe
- oil that turns black very quickly.

For your 5k service, you could consider 0W30 or 5W30, full synthetic (Amsoil, Mobil, Castrol, Purple, ...) especially if the car is driven hard.

It is difficult to tell the difference between effects for a full synthetic vs a synthetic blend.

WClark

Valvoline makes fine products though I dont hear much about their synthetic. It and Mobil1 should be fine together or with mineral oils and synthetic blends.

Although Audi doesnt make a specific claim of this - the factory oil is synthetic. The evidence is obvious. The manual says it comes with 0W30. So far no one makes a non-synthetic 0W.

As advised keep checking your oil level. While a quart or so used in the first few thousand miles during breakin isnt unusual, it sounds like you may have used much more than that - and tham is unusual.

I would recommend you stay with 0W30 or 5W30 full synthetic at oil changes. Mobil1 is a proven performer and is often used at dealers when synthetic is requested.

The main reason for using synthetic is that it behaves better when exposed to very high temps which is what you have in your turbo.

hamproof

Will keep an eye on this till the 5k service. I did not check and see what the level was when I first got the car (Nov). Not a very mechanically incline person, and my last car was a Civic. Drive till it dies kind of car. Anyway, I'll get some Mobil 1 today from a local auto store. Just wondering if the synthetic blend on the Mobil site is better or the same as the fully synthetic one. And you are right. In the manual, it says it comes pre-filled with 0W30.

Andy Hedin

<i>Just wondering if the synthetic blend on the Mobil site is better or the same as the fully synthetic one.</i>

I would say it is not <i>better</i> than the full synthetic. But it most certainly is better than just standard dino oil. Personally, I'd recommend the full synthetic for your turbo.