Import Newbie - Another oil question

[cshocker]

So I just picked up my first ever import: 2011 S4 automatic with 38,000. FYI: I'm in love with this car. Only mod is APR stage 1 tune put in last week.

I've been reading and reading and reading about oil recommendations. I've also got advice from some mechanics. Now I'm trying to determine what I should run for oil. And no way in hell am I waiting 10K between changes. 3-5K will be my mileage for changes. I live in a colder climate, Minnesota.

My main question: Can I run a good quality, full synthetic that is NOT VW 502.000. Example: I would love to run Valvoline Synpower 5W30 in it. This oil used to be on the approved VW list, but not anymore. Is anyone else running non 502 oils that are changing in shorter times. It seems from the reading that the 502 is more of a long life oil.

[hilmar2k]

Any specific reason not to run a 502 oil? There are a ton of really good 502 oils out there. Motul and LiquiMoly come to mind.

[sacandagaD]

Have you checked out this forum? Maybe ask your question there. Especially since it is tuned, I'd want to put the best quality oil I could in it.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

[A4x]

My main question: Can I run a good quality, full synthetic that is NOT VW 502.000. Example: I would love to run Valvoline Synpower 5W30 in it. This oil used to be on the approved VW list, but not anymore. Is anyone else running non 502 oils that are changing in shorter times. It seems from the reading that the 502 is more of a long life oil.

Why the hell would you not run an oil that is VW 502 approved? Run the recommended oil.

[theweebabyseamus]

Yeah, there’s too many good oils that are approved to cling to one that’s not. And, actually, better than the one you want to use.

[tar]

I've used shell rotella t6 in my s4 and other my other euro big turbo cars. Never had a issue and I know tons of people that swear by it. I don't think its vw approved...

That said I've ran motul in the s4 past 3 changes and have a few jugs stockpiled for the future. I wouldn't go near valvoline no reason why just never heard anything positive about it.

[chaos2984]

I run Mobil 1 full synthetic and have run that since I had my first audi in 2005 and never had any issue. I wouldn't change at 3k your just throwing money away. i change mine at 4-5k or once a year which ever comes first. The only reason i would change it sooner would be if i put a track day on the car or something like that. The factory spec'd out 10k after the first oil change and if you change at 5k your fine. The engine holds more than a normal v6 so you have the capacity to be able to go longer without the oil degrading and the oil filter is double the size of a chevy v8 so i think your good on filtering as well.

Just my thoughts.

[cshocker]

Are you running the 0W40 Euro blend Mobile 1?

[mercedesinfarct]

run the recommended oil, whatever the dealer uses (which is synthetic) or mobile 1 0w-40 approved for audi. Why run anything else? There's nothing to gain by using a non recommended oil. And i see the 3k mile oil change propaganda still persists...there is absolutely no reason (barring exigent circumstances) synthetic oil needs to be changed at 3k miles.

[cshocker]

I've used shell rotella t6 in my s4 and other my other euro big turbo cars. Never had a issue and I know tons of people that swear by it. I don't think its vw approved...

That said I've ran motul in the s4 past 3 changes and have a few jugs stockpiled for the future. I wouldn't go near valvoline no reason why just never heard anything positive about it.

I’ve wondered about the Rotella also, but again, not a VW 502

[wangshuo1989]

M1 0W40 user here, dirt cheap at Amazon or Walmart. Never had an issue for 65K miles

[xpoweruk]

[jcpowell]

I just tried Molygen for the first time and added ceratec. Engine instantly felt smoother, maybe it’s all in my head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chaos2984]

Are you running the 0W40 Euro blend Mobile 1?

yep this is what i run the 0w40 euro full synthetic

[cshocker]

Thanks everyone for the info! I will be switching to M1 0W40 Euro and changing around every 5K miles. Might send a oil sample in to have analyzed, just to see.

[hilmar2k]

I just tried Molygen for the first time and added ceratec. Engine instantly felt smoother, maybe it’s all in my head.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just added Ceratec to my wife's Jetta and it seems to be running smoother, and it increased the mileage by a little over 5% as well.

[Lbsigman]

Clicking on the link below will take you to my latest UOA I posted on BITOG using Castrol Edge Titanium 0w-40. My results with Castrol Edge were comparible if not better than more expensive oils such as Motul Xcess 5w-40.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...200_Miles_-_Ca

[Indepth]

I've used shell rotella t6 in my s4 and other my other euro big turbo cars. Never had a issue and I know tons of people that swear by it. I don't think its vw approved...

That said I've ran motul in the s4 past 3 changes and have a few jugs stockpiled for the future. I wouldn't go near valvoline no reason why just never heard anything positive about it.

I’ve wondered about the Rotella also, but again, not a VW 502

I run T6 in my S4, and came from LM Leichtlauf.

I think the T6 is a great oil, it's easily found, formulated for extremely high temperatures (VW loves to run their oils hot) and runs great for me.

VW 502 certified oils are great, but there are many oils out there that are just as good but weren't in the accredited group (I'm assuming because they didn't submit their app to be considered for the certification or didn't want to pay for the accreditation).

Plenty of people swear by Amsoil and don't seem to put up much of a stink if people throw that in their S4. T6 is an oil that is more easily found all over the US and due to the cheaper cost, can be changed out in 5 to 7.5K intervals with minimal financial consideration. T6 has been tested to be above M1 as far as oil compositions go (Bobistheoilguy forums), for what it's worth, and plenty of people run the M1 0w40.

[Dr GP]

I have used Mobil 1 European formula as well as Valvoline Syntec and Castrol. IMHO, all good oils. But there is a faction that does not like Mobil 1. BTW, Mobil 1 is not a100% full synthetic if that really matters to you.

[cshocker]

I run T6 in my S4, and came from LM Leichtlauf.

I think the T6 is a great oil, it's easily found, formulated for extremely high temperatures (VW loves to run their oils hot) and runs great for me.

VW 502 certified oils are great, but there are many oils out there that are just as good but weren't in the accredited group (I'm assuming because they didn't submit their app to be considered for the certification or didn't want to pay for the accreditation).

Plenty of people swear by Amsoil and don't seem to put up much of a stink if people throw that in their S4. T6 is an oil that is more easily found all over the US and due to the cheaper cost, can be changed out in 5 to 7.5K intervals with minimal financial consideration. T6 has been tested to be above M1 as far as oil compositions go (Bobistheoilguy forums), for what it's worth, and plenty of people run the M1 0w40.

So even though the T6 is listed as a “ Diesel” motor oil, it can still be used in gasoline?

[Indepth]

So even though the T6 is listed as a “ Diesel” motor oil, it can still be used in gasoline?

Yes, Rotella T6 is marked as a diesel motor oil, that does not mean that the oil is specifically oriented so that ONLY diesel engines can use it.

Many cars and car enthusiasts have turned to Rotella T6 for a variety of reasons, to save time I'd just recommend you give it a quick google search and you'll find a fair amount of reasons as to why people choose T6 over other oils for some applications.

[S4_V6T]

So I just picked up my first ever import: 2011 S4 automatic with 38,000. FYI: I'm in love with this car. Only mod is APR stage 1 tune put in last week.

I've been reading and reading and reading about oil recommendations. I've also got advice from some mechanics. Now I'm trying to determine what I should run for oil. And no way in hell am I waiting 10K between changes. 3-5K will be my mileage for changes. I live in a colder climate, Minnesota.

My main question: Can I run a good quality, full synthetic that is NOT VW 502.000. Example: I would love to run Valvoline Synpower 5W30 in it. This oil used to be on the approved VW list, but not anymore. Is anyone else running non 502 oils that are changing in shorter times. It seems from the reading that the 502 is more of a long life oil.

I was previously using around 1 litre every 500-750 miles depending on driving and was changing every 5-600 miles and topping up with Castrol EDGE 5W-30 .
Changed my PCV (without any software updates) and changed oil for Royal Purple 5w30 HPS High Performance Street Engine Oil. So far, I have covered 1500 miles and looks like I need to top up with 1litre again. Still not perfect but definitely an improvement from before. Will be changing at 5-600 miles again.
But to get back to your question... Don't think the Royal Purple is VW 502.000.

[eurotic]

I have used Mobil 1 European formula as well as Valvoline Syntec and Castrol. IMHO, all good oils. But there is a faction that does not like Mobil 1. BTW, Mobil 1 is not a100% full synthetic if that really matters to you.

I thought it was determined that the Mobil1 0W40 was a full synthetic made from Base IV oils? Not all of their viscosities are though.

OP - FWIW, I have been using Mobil1 0W40 Euro Formula in my S4 for a couple years and just sent the oil to Blackstone for analysis and all looked good.