help: what oil do i use?

[matt5594]

okay im confused about what oil to use for my 1999 A3 1.8t sport. have scanned in the page from my manual but still none the wiser! (see linky)

can someone recommend the type (VW 500 01?) and more importantly, a make of oil that is suitable, im on annual servicing if that makes any difference?

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/1939/audia3oilmanualgt1.jpg

thanks!

 

[danneth]

i also had this problem today i got the service light and oil came up where the mileage usually is so i just rushed to shop and bought some semi 10/40 now im reading about all these certain oils and stuff :S

i also have a 1.8T (98)

 

[dummi]

you need fully synthetic. after an extended period of using semi our fine turbo lines get clogged

some fully synth 0/40 would be good, i think 10/40 is a little too thick on cold start, halfords do a reasonable one iirc. i'm on mobile1

 

[matt5594]

can you recommend a brand to use? which mobil1 oil do you use?

 

[dummi]

mobile 1 fully synthetic 0/40. bit pricey for regular changes i'm looking at alternatives for my next change

 

[dummi]

oh forgot try asking opieoils , google them, you get a discount for being a member from this forum and good advice on oil for your application

 

[matt5594]

cheers, have requested a password to get into the members section on opieoils..

 

[matt5594]

i went to castrol's website and it gave me this info:

Castrol's best oil for your vehicle EDGE 5W-30 3.5
Alternative recommendation GTX MAGNATEC 10W-40

so i would assume this one from opieoils is the same:

GTX 10w-40
1 x 1 litre 1 £2.49 Buy Now!

..as it seems i can get 5 litres of gtx for a little more than 1 litre of mobil1.. good/bad choice?

 

[YX1010]

I use Castrol Formula R 10W-40 and find it ALOT better than the previous oil i used (Mobile 1 full synthetic).

 

[dummi]

go for it, use whatever is cheaper

btw 5/30 is too thin for prolonged use same as they use in long life service, increased cam wear. optimum is 0 cold 40 warm

 

[matt5594]

whats the main difference (advantage?) of using 0w-40 (mobil1) instead of 10w-40 (castrol gtx)?

 

[dummi]

as far as i understand there are the usually slight differences between manufacturers product but not that great so any of the popular brands will be fine

0/40 is thinner (0) on cold start up than 10/40 (10) so more chance for it to circulate through the turbo's on cold which is good, 40 it becomes that thick when warm which is a good thickness for wear rates. contact opieoils for more info they're very helpful.

 

[Tallpaul]

Motul 8100 0w-40 Engine Oil. Cheaper and better than Mobil 1.

 

[dummi]

^^ what he says

 

[matt5594]

did the "recommend me an oil" on opieoil's website so will wait to see what they recommend, but the motul oil, is this the correct one thats mentioned above:

8100 E-Tech 0w-40
1 x 5 litre 5 £38.99 Buy Now!

 

[Tallpaul]

Yup, E-Tech.

 

[YX1010]

Skanky - Magnet - I would either use MOTUL or Castrol Formula R

 

[matt5594]

what about this stuff:

RS Power 0w-40
1 x 1 litre 1 £10.99 Buy Now!

..is that the same as castrol forumla R? the spec sheet says forumla RS..