daveak05

Feel free to jump in with your own theories or firsthand knowledge, but I am going to take a logical step and clam that the factory fill 0w-30 across Audi models is essentially a break-in oil.

It is never recommended for subsequent oil changes, but is explicitly listed as the factory fill viscosity.

The idea that some in the past have foisted on us, basicaly that the Euro Castrol 0w-30 is really heavier than that, is pure myth. Oil viscosity is supposed to be a precise measurement. There should be no cases where Audi is somehow adding 0w-30 under the assumption that it's really a 5w-40.

502 myth dispelled: Thanks to RI RS4's oil analysis, which cleary shows some non 502 oils significantly outperforming other 502 approved oils, the day may be near when Audi owners can return to the practice of merrily going down to the local auto parts store and buying a high quality, proper viscosiy, synthetic oil WITHOUT having to worry about the latest and greatest, ever evolving, stick it up your a--, VAG Orwellian directive.

bhvrdr

is listed as a 5w-40.

RI A6

Used Oil analysis also shows it to be a 30W oil.



Scott,

I saw the correspondence on our system and can give you following answers:

* Amsoil 5 W 40 is not approved for the RS 4
* The factory oil fill for all V8 and V 10 engines is Castrol 0 W 30 synthetic
* Our list of approved oils is a "living " list that will be continuously updated as new engines come on line and new oil blends enter the market.

Regards,

Marc Trahan
Director, Product Quality and Technical Service

Audi of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI. 48326
Unites States of America
Tel. +1 248 754 4885
Fax. +1 248 754 5150
mailto:marc.trahan@audi.com
http:www.audiusa.com

daveak05

Well past late 04, and which sludge letters are you referring to?

daveak05

I am in no way attempting to tell people to stop using 502 approved oils. But, Audi owners should consider the history involved here. Such as: When and how did 502 go from 'recommended' to 'mandatory'?

To understand this, AND how it relates directly to oil recommendations for your Audi, my strong suggestion would be to merely google: 'VW Audi 1.8T oil sludge problem'.

Also, to realize that, prior to the VAG self induced oil sludge problem, many non synthetic oils met the 502 std, as long as they were in the proper viscosity range. In fact, back in the day, if you took your 2001 VW Jetta 1.8T(example only) into VW for the scheduled oil change service, they would typically put in VW(or equivalent) 5w-40 non synthetic dino oil.

That should tell us all something right there. It wasn't until the oil sludge problem that VAG's legal arm got into the act, and ENTIRELY for legal/warranty claims purposes, changed the wording of 502 from "recommend" to "must only use".

Have the oils changed so much? Has the 502 changed? Have the oil change intervals been adjusted down to a more reasonable rate? No! This 502 hammer has simply been put into place for CYA purposes...yes, C-Y-A!

Probably the best and easiest method would be to continue using 502 approved oils, if for no other reason than they are all over the place now. But, how good are they really? And what is the true significance of 502? It's something that every Audi owner should look into, IMO.

daveak05

I don't know where Mike's getting this 5w-40 factory fill. It has been and remains 0w-30.

Also, oil sludge problem and sludge letters predate late 2004, which is why I asked which sludge letters he's talking about.

I like that part about the 502 list being a "living" thing. Even AoA must view it as 'the blob'...growing larger and more menacing.

What do you think of my break-in oil theory? 0w-30, then 5w-40 afterwards...hmmm.

bhvrdr

No part number exists for an Audi 0w-30 oil anymore.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/bhvrdr/factoryfill-3.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/bhvrdr/audiemail-1.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/bhvrdr/approveviscosities-1-1.jpg">

bhvrdr

you will see that not only is 0w-30 not listed as factory fill but it specifically states only to use 5w-40 or in the case it is not available than any 502 rated ow-40 or 5w-30. 0w-30 is not even an approved viscosity for the newer cars. The sludge letters were received in 2004.5. There are plenty posted on this site. It lists the viscosities now in use and the mandate for vw502 oils. Never was there a time I can recall any non synthetic oils meeting vw502.

daveak05

what you have here has nothing to do with factory fill. His response to you was regarding approved oil weights, per owners manual...in fact the language is identical.

Mike, you have an 04 S4. I have an 05 S4, and it still states clearly in my OM that factory fill is 0w-30. RI RS4 has direct correspondence that the factory fill is still currently 0w-30.

The top part of your post, showing the brand and part number is some tech bulltin about the availibility of Castrol 5w-40 to dealers, whatever the purpose there.

I don't see how you are using this to try and prove that factory fill is not 0w-30, but 5w-40 instead.

bhvrdr

"I would like to know the factory fill oil."