Quick Question, Wrong Oil

[infinitigor]

So i have always been putting in regular oil every 4k or so. I gave my car to a carwash place, that did oil change and preventative maintaince. I just realized that they put synthetic and their reason was that is what the manual recommends. It was that q motor oil, that ferrari recommends lol.

Is there going to be any damage to my catalytic converter? should i get this taken care off asap, and if yes what?? or can i just go about driving like nothing happened.

[jessefrank]

Audi recommends Synthetic. Also I notice you have an 02, and my manual recommends 0w30 or 5w30. Due to sludge issues Audi now mainly recommends 5w40 full synthetic.

Either way, NEVER EVER should you use non-full synthetic in your car if you can help it.

[infinitigor]

i didnt really mind that he used synthetic, and i plan to actually use it at every oil change from now on. But my worry is that you cannot mix two different oils.

[jessefrank]

Did the shop do a complete oil change? All oils are combatible as far as I'm aware. Even if you do a complete oil change, some oil dosen't get drained out (nothing you can do about it unles you tear apart your engine every time), so some mixing of old vs new and/or different brands will happen.
Did they use 2 different oil brands to do the change? If so, I'd be pissed, but it shouldn't cause any issues.


I'm rather picky about oil (and have wasted countless hrs researching the topic for reasons I can't explain). When it comes down to it (for the audi)...

1. Just change it!!!! Do it on a regular scheadule (about every 5k miles).
2. Use full synthetic (as it dosen't break down as easy under hard driving conditions...and w/ a 1.8t any driving is harsh conditions for oil). Yes...some synthetics are better than others( different groups; 3, 4 or 5), but if you change them at 5k or less it's pretty much a mute point.
3. Use the large oil filter as it enlarges your engine oil capicity (making it last longer before it breaks down) and provides a larger surface area to filter out bad stuff.
4. If you care about the engine sludge warranty (up to 80k miles or longer), use an oil on audi's recommended oil list so the dealer covers your engine.

[3ohAvant]

huh? whats the problem?

you want a synth. its prob better than whatever was in there before, if that wasn't a synth.

nothing wrong w/ the Q stuff. try to stick w/ the VAG approved oil in the future, but this isn't going to kill your car or anything.

[UGwagen]

i didnt really mind that he used synthetic, and i plan to actually use it at every oil change from now on. But my worry is that you cannot mix two different oils.

That is an old wives tale.

....and wow.... a grease monkey that actually knows the oil requirements (most of it).

Though the interesting thing is... Ferrari in Europe uses Shell Helix (synthetic) motor oil..... the closest thing to that motor oil is Shell Rotella T-synthetic (same basestock, different additive package)