What oil to use?
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: CT, USA
What oil to use?
About to do oil change on an 05 A8 4.2 for first time and would like to know what weight oil to use. I have read that you can use 0w40, 5w40, is 0w30 ok to use? Which is the best to use in my car? Car is about 70K and not really sure when last oil change was so I would like to change it to be on safe side. I live in New England. Thanks
AudiWorld Member
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From: NW Indiana
Here ya go!
About to do oil change on an 05 A8 4.2 for first time and would like to know what weight oil to use. I have read that you can use 0w40, 5w40, is 0w30 ok to use? Which is the best to use in my car? Car is about 70K and not really sure when last oil change was so I would like to change it to be on safe side. I live in New England. Thanks
Tell Galo I sent you and he'll treat you right! He'll also know exactly what you need and quantity. I'd get Fuel Filter, Air Filter, Oil Filter, Cabin Filter & also the Spark Plugs while you're at it. Wouldn't hurt to have them on Hand when time comes.
http://www.bgprod.com/products/engineoil.html
Add the MOA to your Oil.
http://www.bgprod.com/products/fuelair.html
Add the 44K to your Fuel.
You'll have to shop the Net to Find them and they are Pricey but well worth it! Take care and laters,
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From: Michigan
Not to start on a war of "additives vs no additives" but have you noticed any improvement after adding the BG 44k or the oil additive? And how do you add them just after you fill up your car all the way with gas add the whole bottle of BG 44k? And the same for the oil additive?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: NW Indiana
Not to start on a war of "additives vs no additives" but have you noticed any improvement after adding the BG 44k or the oil additive? And how do you add them just after you fill up your car all the way with gas add the whole bottle of BG 44k? And the same for the oil additive?
The MOA can be used in 2 different ways. You can add it to your Next Oil Change by substituting an = amount of Oil for 1 Can of MOA and call it a Day. You use MOA as a Flush prior to doing an Oil Change by Draining an = amount of Oil and replacing that with MOA then Drive as instructed followed by the Oil Change. Just add the MOA subtracting an Equal amount of Oil. At next Fill Up just add the 44K to the Tank and Fill it up as Usual. It takes about a Half of a Tank of Fuel before you Start to Notice, but I would also change the Fuel Filter.
After careful research and considerations I chose Fuchs 5W30 if I remember correctly without looking. It is German Born and Bread for German Automobiles like the A8 so I had no Problems using this Oil. Hope this helps you Brozee. Take care and laters,
Last edited by williebone; Dec 14, 2010 at 04:49 PM.
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada USA
I use 5W-40 Voll-Synthese (German) or Total, or Valvoline or Castrol. All have the VW designator which is actually above & beyond necessary for my 2004. However, since Audi changed the oil spec for the same engine for '05 I figured it was prudent. I buy whicever oil is cheapest. Personally, I'm a sucker for Castrol but the 5W-40 is only available from VW and Audi dealers so it's about two bucks more per quart.
As for fuel mileage, I find additives to be a waste except maybe for cleaning purposes. A couple of years ago I did several experimants between regular and premium fuel in my A8 (4.2L) to see what the best value was. Performance difference was unnoticeable by me but the main reason for the comparison was some claimed way better fuel eCONomy with premium. I did not detect anything close to being worth 20¢ a gallon more. I believe most drive differently. I drive quite the same route and speeds so my test was fairly accurate. EPA tests would be more CONsistent though.
As for fuel mileage, I find additives to be a waste except maybe for cleaning purposes. A couple of years ago I did several experimants between regular and premium fuel in my A8 (4.2L) to see what the best value was. Performance difference was unnoticeable by me but the main reason for the comparison was some claimed way better fuel eCONomy with premium. I did not detect anything close to being worth 20¢ a gallon more. I believe most drive differently. I drive quite the same route and speeds so my test was fairly accurate. EPA tests would be more CONsistent though.
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From: Michigan
So you fill up with regular 87 gas then? Since owning the car I have only used premuim but after seeing many people 5 actually with audi tt's to the s4 they all put regular into the car. This was simply from me watching them fill up.
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AudiWorld Super User
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada USA
As a kid, I added a J. C. Whitney glass fuel filter that you could take apart to my '74 VW Super Beetle. When I worked at Zieger Hospital in Detroit, one day I came out of work in the bitter cold and "no start". I opened the engine compartment and the fuel filter was a block of ice. The day before I filled up at a Thornton (not Melon) station. Big mistake as I went there to save a few pennies a gallon. Didn't know they put a *secret additive* in their fuel tanks.
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From: NW Indiana
As for fuel mileage, I find additives to be a waste except maybe for cleaning purposes. A couple of years ago I did several experimants between regular and premium fuel in my A8 (4.2L) to see what the best value was. Performance difference was unnoticeable by me but the main reason for the comparison was some claimed way better fuel eCONomy with premium. I did not detect anything close to being worth 20¢ a gallon more. I believe most drive differently. I drive quite the same route and speeds so my test was fairly accurate. EPA tests would be more CONsistent though.
I didn't use Premium either after being told by Audi Service Manager that you wouldn't suffer much performance, so I used Mid Grade until the MOA Treatment and may go back to Mid Grade soon based on Gas Price.
Last edited by williebone; Dec 14, 2010 at 07:01 PM.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol Euro Formula 0W-30...
get you to the prior VW 503 long life spec, which is beyond either the VW 502 or 505 spec called for in the car; both oils meet those specs of course too. Those specs since superseded by 504 and 507. Net, I tend to use the Mobil 0W40 given it is commonly available. Lots of other viscosities in both brands that people sometimes drift to since found at Costco and Walmart and places like that, but they don't meet those specs in general. That statement excludes the specialty Castrol distributed by VW Audi that does meet the spec if it is the right one and you happen upon it. I'm also putting aside the RedLine and Amsoil stuff some swear by that I have never tried. I stick to shorter drain intervals, but in theory the 503 spec oils can go out to the 18,000 max drain interval if the oil quality sensor built into the car is actually enabled.
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; Dec 15, 2010 at 09:44 AM.