Changed my oil today. What a difference in the sound of the engine and smoothness of my Q7 3.6L. According to the dealer I bought the vehicle from, they put valvoline in when they changed the oil pre sale. Glad I got that out of there and put in the good stuff. Now on to the transmission and differentials.

 

Yeah, I've run the Audi 'recommended' Castrol 5w30, and the Audi/VW branded 'recommended' 0w30 oil in our TDI Q7s prior to swapping over to the Liqui Moly, and was unimpressed...mainly because of the running and startup noise levels from the engines. I bought the Liqui Moly TDI additives kit and the LM 5w30 oil change kit from FCP Euro to try in one car, and that was it; nothing but smoothness and silent running. The Ceratec takes a little run-in/bonding mileage before it really kicks into high gear on protection/efficiency benefits. The difference is actually pretty remarkable considering the 'high-end' oil necessary to meet the VW oil specs, and especially so for the diesel engines we have, but you can really-really tell the difference. Liqui Moly has earned my respect and my wallet... for life.

 

How often do you change your oil?

 

I've been sticking with the 10k miles interval on both of ours, but IMHO, anyone using the 10k miles interval in the North America region (poorer fuel quality) should be buying top-tier fuel and using an oil flush product every other oil change, especially on the TDI's, as the blow-by from diesel exhaust & particulates ends up in the oil, etc. Realistically, I think it comes down to how you use your car. If all I did was stop & go & city driving, or used for moderate to heavy towing, then I'd shorten my change interval up a bit when those factors came into play.

I'm running the LM oil + LM Ceratec in both cars now, so I feel extremely well protected. I make a conscious effort to only buy top-tier fuel, and that makes a big difference in how feisty (zoom-zoom) our cars run, higher mpg returns, as well as more complete combustion process, which equals less exhaust garbage making it's way into the oil.

FYI: The Euro oil change intervals are much longer than in North America market, specifically as a result of the significantly regulated, higher quality fuel they have overseas (and Audi getting sued by numerous owners when their engines failed in the USA market when using the same change intervals as Europe market cars). They learned a hard lesson. Now the car companies have banded together to support and encourage the Top-Tier fuel standard in the North America, so their cars will run better and have fewer oil related issues/failures, etc.

 

I've been putting in 93 octane fuel since I purchased the Q7. I do mostly city, stop and go driving even though I'm staying in the suburbs. I'm moving to a home that's in the city, so I think maybe I should do every 5k as recommended. That aligns with the tire rotation interval recommended by the manufacturer. Might as well get both done at the same time.

Is there a fuel brand that is better than the rest? Ive been filling at Kroger or Speedway since I get a better discount there.

 

Using Premium fuel (93 octane) may or not be required by your engine; see the fueling placard inside filler cover or owner manual, etc., as your guide for your particular engine. That's not the same as being a top-tier fuel, which is based on how much additives (detergents, modifiers, water dispersants, stabilizers, octane enhancers, etc.) get added to the base fuel stock, which is a common commodity. Top-tier fuels get a much larger 'dose' of the additives mix that goes into the fuel to make it clean, lubricate, and combust more efficiently. Most big name chains are now top-tier, but some aren't.
Take a look here: https://www.toptiergas.com/licensed-brands/

 

Looks like I'll be going to Shell from now on. My gas door says 91, but all that's offered is 87, 89, 93 around me.

 

Isn't it odd how many vehicles require a minimum of 91 Octane, and what's generally available is either 89 or 93? It's sort of like buying a battery operated toy that takes 3 batteries, but you can only buy batteries in a 2-pak or 4-pak.

 

91 AKI is the only premium fuel offered in many areas of the USA. In my area, we don't see 91AKI, only 93.

 

Remember when premium was only 20 cents more than regular unleaded? Shame those days are gone...