Anybody keep track of VW/Audi oil specs these days? (somewhat a cousin to my post today about SRI settings).

Simplified, U.S. Audi's call for a high quality synthetic. There is a pretty long list of the oils on the Audi USA site, here: http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/09..._1997-2012.pdf

But, the Audi USA specs have lost some of the nuances. The basic gas engine oil spec they use is now listed as 502.00 A few like the R8 have a different spec. But historically others like the C5 RS6 also required what (then) were unusual oil types. On the other hand, back in the 2004 era on the A8 4.2 (and for many other models) they just pointed to API/ACEA specs you see on decent synthetics. And so happens I'm interested in this, since in Europe the D3 W12 called for a now obsolete spec, 503.01, which has merged into 504/507. 504 and 507 have both lower emissions and extended wear capacity aspects, and 503.01 likewise supported the extended wear spec. The RS4, TT in some flavors and S3 were other examples of the specialized specs. If anything 507 seems to get more play since it apparently also connects to the various late TDI motor needs.

Even though the U.S. side of Audi seems to kind of ignore this stuff or smush most of it together--they seem to now show all D3 motors that were sold in the U.S. as needing 502.00--obviously the parent co. supports a detailed set of specs and thinks more of it. Here is a page I found quickly with a very high level pass about the various VW/Audi specs over the years: http://www.oilspecifications.org/volkswagen.php There are other web sites around that go into lots of detail for those interested. MB also has what I perceive to be a long standing set of specs in a fair amount of depth like VW's; BMW arguably less so. You can see a summary of theirs, and other manufacturers or bodies, if you click on the links the bottom of the page to which I linked just above.

What I have done w/ this all in recent years is simply try to find a few oils that meet the "tougher specs." I followed 503.01 since it was the specific spec for the W12 in Europe. And the more so, since that spec was the one allowing for extended change intervals. Again, not that I run those extended intervals, but I figure the additive packs have to be up to that kind of task, which I have understood to be what tends to get depleted ("worn") in a modern oil. In turn I found two oils that met that 503.01 spec and were available pretty easily: Castrol Euro Formula 0W30 and Mobil 1 0W40. Thus I would just go w/ those if doing an oil change on the Audis (or a Mini S), depending on the viscosity desired. And I would just buy them at O'Reilly (Kragen), Pep Boys, Autozone, etc., often on sale. Did only a few "tweener" changes on the W12 given the 4/50 and then extended service deal I had.

But, things change. My service deal came to an end, and now I will be buying 13 qts. every change. And, 503.01 became 504/507--technically 504 I guess but the oils I see marketed fit both 504 and 507, and that's how Audi/VW lists them too. If you look at the 504/507 list though, it's not a bunch of corner parts store SKU's. And, don't get confused by the Mobil 1 5W-30 you might find listed there. By all accounts it is NOT the garden variety stuff at the corner store (or WallyWorld), and the U.S. 5W30 and 0W30 Mobil 1 flavors never were on the tougher older Audi/VW spec lists either ( a common Mobil 1 misperception). I do know OW-40 was, though now the bottle labeling refers only to 502 and 505. It continues to refer to a BMW long life spec., plus a MB spec. Thus I have a hunch it may be either because of viscosity (the 504/507 oils all seem to be 5W30) or emissions that there is something about the 0W40 that doesn't fit the newer spec, even though it did fit the preceding analogous VW spec for long life use.

So, anyone tracking or awake for this? My sense is just keep going with Mobil 1 0W40 for now, just use the Mini dealer synthetic for that vehicle (same as BMW's) and sold for about $6.25/qt. there, and see if Castrol brings back an actual Euro product rather than its USA type oils. Also seeing in obscure places on the web that I could source the very specialized Castrol SLX Professional Longlife III in 5W30 at a rational price that meets 504/507 specs and is sold with VW/Audi brand references (as it is separately for MB and others). Only know about that from its occasional appearance on the ECS web site, among the few I have also seen that call out the specs more carefully.

To be clear, I'm interested in input about oils at the 503.01 and 504/507 intersections (and maybe their MB and BMW spec relatives), not the oft Red Line or Amsoil type testimonials. Price and availability are important too; I can find higher priced Euro stuff at ECS but 13 quarts a shot and shipping it around means the local sourcing makes sense if possible.

 

I searched a lot to find a suitable oil at a reasonable price. Luckily I need the same oil for my 4.2tdi as my wife's Touureg Tdi, unfortunately, both need about 10 ltr's. I found this at Halfords - our motor/cycle/leisure type store -

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...+ESP+FORM#tab1

Mobil 1 ESP 5W/30 Oil 5 Litre

The Mobil 1 ESP 5W/30 Oil unique formulation of leading edge components is compatible with Diesel Particulate Filters and Gasoline Catalytic Converters and is designed to deliver outstanding performance and protection in conjunction with improved fuel economy.

It is recommended for all types of modern automobile engines, especially the high-performance petrol and diesel engines and is approved for the demanding specifications of VW, BMW and Mercedes Benz.

specifications of Mobil 1 ESP 5W/30 Oil
■ SAE 5W30
■ ACEA C2 C3
■ API CF / Jaso DL-1
■Meets the requirements of Mercedes Benz 229.31/229.51; VW 504 00/ 507 00; BMW Longlife - 04, PSA B71 2290, Porsche C30
■ Low Ash Content, Low Sulphur and Phosphorous content
■5 litre bottle

But at that price - £52 per pack it would have cost £200 ($320) just for the oil for a change on both cars!

Luckily for me I have a local VAG owned trade parts supplier - I bought a 20 ltr drum of VW 507 - the oil a main dealer would use, for just a bit less than £100 ($150), which seemed a great deal. I will ceck the actual spec of what they supply when I get home tonight - I still have a drum with thge label on - I suspect it is from Fuchs Lubicants.

On their site they list this for the W12

Category:

Cars

Your remarks
Audi
A8, S8, 4E (2003 - 2010)
A8 6.0 W12 quattro (2004 - 2010)
30-01-2012
Engine BHT
Capacity 12,5 liter
Normal
Intervals:
Change 15000 km / 12 months
Products:
TITAN GT1 PRO C-3 5W-30 (XTL-Technology)
TITAN GT1 PRO FLEX 5W-30 (XTL-Technology)
TITAN GT1 5W-40 (XTL-Technology)
Use:
Extended drain (max)
Intervals:
Change 30000 km / 24 months
Products:
TITAN GT1 PRO C-3 5W-30 (XTL-Technology)
TITAN Supersyn 0W-30

And for the 4.2tdi they list - TITAN GT1 PRO C-3 5W-30 (XTL-Technology)

So they same for longlife as 12 month/15000 km oil change

The Fuchs UK site is very useful - it lists all their products, specs and capacities -http://www.fuchslubricants.com/index.php?calling=companyprofile&sub=

 

PS - Fuchs is pronounced Foocks!

 

The 504/507 is a low-SAPS formulation. It's my understanding that they were going to make a move to consodidate all the specs into 504/507 and end the confusion. It turns out that there is an odd interaction with these low-SAPS recipes when they interact with gasoline polluted with ethanol. I suspect that most states in the USA now have that 10% ethanol mixed in. So, several of the Euro mfrs have suggested that we don't use the low-SAPS formulations in gas engines in the USA, but the newest diesels still must use the 507.00 spec.

I'm sticking with 502.00 oils in our cars as that's what the engine mfr recommends at this time. There has been no recommenation to use 504.00 in my 2011 A4 car.

You can buy that 504/507 Mobil 1 product at Pepboi and sometimes at Dodge/Chrysler dealers (and VW/AUDI dealers, too). I think it's up to $9/liter now at Pep.

I plan ahead when purchasing oils/filters/maint. supplies and just put in an order with AZ Autohaus once a year. They have free ship on orders > $50. They have the boutique Euro oils. Not sure if they are selling 504/507 yet. They have very fair pricing on oil.

The MBz dealers sell a "unique" 5W40 Low-SAPS formulation produced by Mobil. That one is 229.51 which is their newest diesel spec. This oil is "similar" to the M1 5W30 product found at Pep.

I believe Autozone still has the $30 deal for Mobil 1 0W40: 5 qts plus a filter. They probably won't have an Audi filter, so get a filter for one of your other cars or give it to a friend.

Mobil 1 0W40 is $6.47/quart at my local store.

 

It certainly would be interesting to hear from our European listeners with newer car if 504.00 is recommended ???

 

In the US, all Audi engines are to use 502.00, except RS6 with 505.01, clean diesel TDIs with 504/507 and R8 GT with 10w60 oil (Shell Helix I believe is whats used). The 504/507 are low ash content oil to prevent clogging the particulate trap filter (DPF) on diesels, so its not really used for gas engines. Most people assume there is a newer spec oil that they should switch or its better, but there are particular specs why each oil is used.

 

.....

 

Google translation by any chance?