Current oil weight recommendations?

[Jetta03]

Oil change time this weekend on my 2019 S4. Since I'm still under warranty I've kept with an oem filter but switched to the liquimoly 508 spec Top Tec 0w20 and I have to say.....the car idles and sounds noticeably quieter on the liquimoly vs the previous audi branded 0w20. I didn't expect it since the weights are unchanged, but there it is. A few specs/grains of silver colored debris in the filter pleats as well but I don't think enough to be concerned about...we'll see how the next oil change looks.

I was curious if anyone has a solid recommendation on going with a heavier weight like the 504 spec oils on this engine. Is there any definitive answer beyond just the super thin 508 recommended oil?

Cheers

[oesman]

These threads come up quite a bit so searching around may get you way more data points. I'm not aware of any authoritative answer on this.

My rule of thumb is use the factory oil spec if you're staying stock and have your warrant to maintain.

Otherwise I've personally switched to Motul Sport 5w40. My car isn't stock now and I'm about to install a hybrid turbo. I drive more street miles than highway miles as I don't have an office commute so I'm always accelerating, with a heavy foot, until the next turn or light. I also like to do back to back 1/4 mile passes. Plus I live in Houston so the extra heat in the summer doesn't help. I was getting a bit more metal flake than I wanted to see in the filter so I switched up the oil. So far I'm not seeing the flakes come back. This is all obviously very anecdotal. I don't see a problem running a 5w40 in this engine especially since the RS 5 with a nearly identical engine calls for it.

I would consider my use case to be truly approaching severe duty. I don't know that everyone needs to go out and switch. I had a lab test my Audi branded 0w20 oil after about 5k miles of the car being modified/tuned and the oil analysis showed the oil was still in good shape. Meaning it's not like the 0w20 is shearing into water like some people claim/think. I bet it could handle some moderate abuse for 10k miles. I'm just suspecting that the thick oil is doing a better job of protecting whatever was generating metal flakes since the 5w40 can handle more heat. I think the 0w20 is probably fine for most use cases.

I sort of wish Audi had some more info for heavy duty use or track use.

For example my Mustang manual says this for cars that get used for track days (i.e. not just one track day once):

• Change your axle lubricant and friction modifier after the initial (first) hour of high-speed operation; thereafter change the axle lubricant and friction modifier every 12 hours (under these conditions).
• Change your transmission oil after each event where your vehicle is subjected to individual on-track sessions exceeding 15 minutes.
• Change your engine oil and filter after each event.

[MGZ]

These threads come up quite a bit so searching around may get you way more data points. I'm not aware of any authoritative answer on this.

My rule of thumb is use the factory oil spec if you're staying stock and have your warrant to maintain.

Otherwise I've personally switched to Motul Sport 5w40. My car isn't stock now and I'm about to install a hybrid turbo. I drive more street miles than highway miles as I don't have an office commute so I'm always accelerating, with a heavy foot, until the next turn or light. I also like to do back to back 1/4 mile passes. Plus I live in Houston so the extra heat in the summer doesn't help. I was getting a bit more metal flake than I wanted to see in the filter so I switched up the oil. So far I'm not seeing the flakes come back. This is all obviously very anecdotal. I don't see a problem running a 5w40 in this engine especially since the RS 5 with a nearly identical engine calls for it.

I would consider my use case to be truly approaching severe duty. I don't know that everyone needs to go out and switch. I had a lab test my Audi branded 0w20 oil after about 5k miles of the car being modified/tuned and the oil analysis showed the oil was still in good shape. Meaning it's not like the 0w20 is shearing into water like some people claim/think. I bet it could handle some moderate abuse for 10k miles. I'm just suspecting that the thick oil is doing a better job of protecting whatever was generating metal flakes since the 5w40 can handle more heat. I think the 0w20 is probably fine for most use cases.

I sort of wish Audi had some more info for heavy duty use or track use.

For example my Mustang manual says this for cars that get used for track days (i.e. not just one track day once):

great post, thanks

[Jetta03]

These threads come up quite a bit so searching around may get you way more data points. I'm not aware of any authoritative answer on this.

My rule of thumb is use the factory oil spec if you're staying stock and have your warrant to maintain.

Otherwise I've personally switched to Motul Sport 5w40. My car isn't stock now and I'm about to install a hybrid turbo. I drive more street miles than highway miles as I don't have an office commute so I'm always accelerating, with a heavy foot, until the next turn or light. I also like to do back to back 1/4 mile passes. Plus I live in Houston so the extra heat in the summer doesn't help. I was getting a bit more metal flake than I wanted to see in the filter so I switched up the oil. So far I'm not seeing the flakes come back. This is all obviously very anecdotal. I don't see a problem running a 5w40 in this engine especially since the RS 5 with a nearly identical engine calls for it.

I would consider my use case to be truly approaching severe duty. I don't know that everyone needs to go out and switch. I had a lab test my Audi branded 0w20 oil after about 5k miles of the car being modified/tuned and the oil analysis showed the oil was still in good shape. Meaning it's not like the 0w20 is shearing into water like some people claim/think. I bet it could handle some moderate abuse for 10k miles. I'm just suspecting that the thick oil is doing a better job of protecting whatever was generating metal flakes since the 5w40 can handle more heat. I think the 0w20 is probably fine for most use cases.

I sort of wish Audi had some more info for heavy duty use or track use.

Thx much for the detail, agreed 100% on that last line. Other manufacturers provide a list of accepted grades based on usage, temperatures, etc. that would be useful from Audi as well.
If anyone else has experience switching to heavier grade oils on the B9 S4/5 I'd love to hear it.

[SHCKR]

Thx much for the detail, agreed 100% on that last line. Other manufacturers provide a list of accepted grades based on usage, temperatures, etc. that would be useful from Audi as well.
If anyone else has experience switching to heavier grade oils on the B9 S4/5 I'd love to hear it.

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[AldermanToffee]

I’ve been running 5w40 for god knows how many tens of thousands of miles on my B9. It’s currently on 98k miles and has had a large turbo for the majority of those miles.

I wouldn’t ever go back to the factory 0w20 spec. Runs smoother, idles nicely. It was noticeable on the first change (surprisingly, in my opinion).

[Deuirej]

I’ve been running 5w40 for god knows how many tens of thousands of miles on my B9. It’s currently on 98k miles and has had a large turbo for the majority of those miles.

I wouldn’t ever go back to the factory 0w20 spec. Runs smoother, idles nicely. It was noticeable on the first change (surprisingly, in my opinion).

What brand 5w-40? What spec does it meet? I’m only used to running the liqu moly 5W-40 in my Passat that meets the 502/505 spec

[AldermanToffee]

What brand 5w-40? What spec does it meet? I’m only used to running the liqu moly 5W-40 in my Passat that meets the 502/505 spec

Motul Sport Ester 5w40. Believe it’s specced for VW 502 00.

[kifac]

I’ve always been running 5w40. Switched to it since I tuned the car. B9.5 S4!

[oesman]

I just did another filter check, 2 months since my last post here, still no sign of any metal dust at all. Can't prove it's oil related, but I think what small shiny bits I had were probably from inadequate lubrication under very high heat with the 0w20. So for now I'm sticking with the 5w40. Again, don't think the 0w20 is a "bad" oil, it's a very high end oil if using the factory castrol fill, but I don't think it's for modified cars and the kind of heat that can be generated.

[rlme36]

I get the appeal of the 5w-40 Motul ester. I currently have their 0w-20 in the car. I'm wondering if using the Castrol 0w-30 in either VW502 or the 0w-30LL with 504 spec would be a nice compromise. I know the VW 502 castrol A3/B4 that is currently available seems to still have a quality add pack and very low pour point, indication of high PAO content or at least it used to be and perhaps the 30 weight will be heavy enough for protection. Just tossing it out there.

[oesman]

I don't see why a 0w30 wouldn't be acceptable depending on your use case. Often we're more limited by oil weight selections of a specific oil we like. If you have an oil you like in 0w30 and it meets the conditions you're putting your engine under I think it could be a good choice. I live in a super hot climate i think the 5w40 is about right.

[AnthonyD1978]

I do 0w30 here in the winter and 5w40 in the summer. I'm in the Arizona mountains where we get snow in the winter and hot summers.

[rlme36]

Are you using a VW504 spec by any chance? I'm making the linkage between if the RS engine is VW504 spec'd then i can "rest easy" its not detrimental. warranty aside

[kmarei]

Are you using a VW504 spec by any chance? I'm making the linkage between if the RS engine is VW504 spec'd then i can "rest easy" its not detrimental. warranty aside

i just repalced the oil/filter on my 2018 RS5 yesterday
used mobil 1 0w-40 which is 502 spec, not 504
engine sounds much quiter, less of the clatter that was bothering me
i had the audi OEM 0w-30 prior to that

paid $30 per 5qt jug from autozone
they price matched walmart website, regular AZ prize was $37 per 5qt jug
used OEM filter

[Esmin23]

I was getting small flakes in my filter as well. So I changed from motul 0w20 508 to motul 8100xclean 504/507 5w30.

The car is much smoother at idle and quieter. I pulled the oil filter out a few weeks ago to check and there is a fraction of the amount of flakes in there now, compared to before.

I’m sure after this oil change, there won’t be much or any flakes in the future.

[sloppymax]

I do 0w30 here in the winter and 5w40 in the summer. I'm in the Arizona mountains where we get snow in the winter and hot summers.

Which 0w30 are you using?

[AnthonyD1978]

Which 0w30 are you using?

I run Amsoil in my car and truck. They have a Euro spec for the Audi, but I'm currently running their Signature series in the Audi. Debating using the Euro spec on the next oil change. They are both about the same price at about $12 p/quart.

I change oil at 5k miles instead of the normal 10k because of the Stage 3 TTE810.