I'm changing the oil (new GTI)

[MrGadget]

Hi, my wifes GTI has done about 2500Km so far and we love it but I have been a bit worried about the very long time frame between oil changes, especially after the first 1000km when metal filings can be found from running in a new engine.

So I asked my cousin (a mechanic) and he recommended I change the oil soon for peace of mind. I agreed so he said he will get the oil filter and oil straight from VW and do it next week for me so there should be no dramas there.

Does anybody know exactly what this oil is and should I perhaps get a different oil next time? I am a bit confused on the oil specs for the GTI, VW seem a bit vague on telling you its 504/507 but what does this actually mean?

After this oil change I will do the next one at 7500km and then every 7500km after that.

[Transporter]

Hi, my wifes GTI has done about 2500Km so far and we love it but I have been a bit worried about the very long time frame between oil changes, especially after the first 1000km when metal filings can be found from running in a new engine.

So I asked my cousin (a mechanic) and he recommended I change the oil soon for peace of mind. I agreed so he said he will get the oil filter and oil straight from VW and do it next week for me so there should be no dramas there.

Does anybody know exactly what this oil is and should I perhaps get a different oil next time? I am a bit confused on the oil specs for the GTI, VW seem a bit vague on telling you its 504/507 but what does this actually mean?

After this oil change I will do the next one at 7500km and then every 7500km after that.

VW 504.00/507.00 is the latest specs. oil for VW engines available in OZ.
The cheapest would probably be Penrite HPR Enviro+ 5W30. Shell Helix Ultra Extra also has VW 504.00/507 specs. Available from NISSAN dealer.
I would always use the latest specs oil in the latest engines since the oils were made for them, despite VW allows lower specs oils to be used as well, you should see it as that not everywhere is the latest oil available.

[Maverick]

Just buy an oil that has VW standard 504.00/507.00 approval and you'll be safe. Castrol SLX Professisonal Longlife 3 is used by same dealers as standard fill and has approval for that standard.

You can find a full list at http://www.my-gti.com/7/volkswagen-oils-50400-and-50700

[Transporter]

I'm sure that Maverick ment "buy the oil that was approved by VW" (meet doesn't mean approved).

[WEDEL.1]

Use the same oil that your Service Provider(VW Dealer) uses and you will be safe.

Maris

[NickZ]

After this oil change I will do the next one at 7500km and then every 7500km after that.

My suggestion is that, especially if you are not taking it to VW for the 7500km oil change, to supply the oil to the dealer at each 15000km service. That way, you get the oil you want, you have consistency in the oil used and you also save a little bit of money as VW have a bit of margin in the charge of their oil.

That is what I do, and that way my car always has Mobil 1 0w-40 in it, regardless of whether it is the major service or the in between.

The other bit of advice is not to skimp - make sure it is the correct oil, otherwise you could have lots of problems and warranty will be voided!

[brad]

Does anybody know exactly what this oil is and should I perhaps get a different oil next time? I am a bit confused on the oil specs for the GTI, VW seem a bit vague on telling you its 504/507 but what does this actually mean?
[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure what the GTI manual says but the Skoda manual states that if you are only on 15,000km changes then 502.00 approval is all that is required.

504.00 spec is for extended change intervals (>15,000km) that are used in other markets.

As you are doing short changes (7500km) any full synthetic oil that is 502.00 approved will be more than sufficient.

To find out if the oil is 502.00 approved, it's usually easiest to look for the TDS (Tech Data Sheet) on the oil manufacturers website. eg: Castrol Edge Sport 5w-30 on page 5 show VW 502 Approval

[Greg Roles]

I thought the 507 bit was for the PD cam injection diesels specifically, and simply states it has better shear properties due to the huge injection cam pressures and lower ash to not clog up the particle filters. Doesn't affect petrol at all I believe, where I thought 504 was just fine.

[kryten2001]

That is what I do, and that way my car always has Mobil 1 0w-40 in it, regardless of whether it is the major service or the in between.

That's what I use.....

I'm so anal about oil, I'll dump whatever is put in during it's regular servicing. I won't even supply oil, as I'm paranoid it'll get flogged (I've heard stories).

Mobil 0w40 is freaking expensive stuff, and I like to do it myself anyway, makes for a fun afternoon. You can also be 100% absolutely sure what's going in as well.

I need to buy a half decent trolley jack.. The old one got accidently left out in the rain so it's always getting stuck and has rust spots everywhere on it...

To the original poster.... Good idea changing oils now. 7500k intervals is good for cars doing at least average ks (15000 per year), otherwise change at least every 6 months irrespective of ks.

Anything more frequent is just wasteful.

[brad]

I thought the 507 bit was for the PD cam injection diesels specifically, and simply states it has better shear properties due to the huge injection cam pressures and lower ash to not clog up the particle filters. Doesn't affect petrol at all I believe, where I thought 504 was just fine.

Something like that. Basically the even number spec is for petrol engines & the odd number spec is for diesels.
People combine them because all the oils tha meet 507 also meet 504. I don't think this is the case with the 502/505 pairing.

Because the OP was talking about a petrol engine, I just stuck with the petrol engine specs.

[mr gee]

When I took delivery of my car, I was told it had running-in oil in it.
As I would be taking the car for a run up to sydney soon, I was wondering what oil I would need if I am required to top up before the 15000km service is due. Dealer says castrol but is not specific.

[brad]

When I took delivery of my car, I was told it had running-in oil in it.
As I would be taking the car for a run up to sydney soon, I was wondering what oil I would need if I am required to top up before the 15000km service is due. Dealer says castrol but is not specific.

The car hasn't got running in oil in it - running in oil would require changing within the first few thousand kilometres.

You can top-up with any oil that is VW 502 or 504 approved. It's in the manual.

Castrol Edge 0w-40 or 5w-30 or Mobil1 0w-40 are all OK.

[Lima]

FWIW I changed the oil on our GTI after about 6000kms. Here's what was left in the catch tray...





More pics here.

[Russ59]

That looks more like a runny turd than sump oil I guess what you see is to be expected from a new engine, a lot of it was probably already sitting in the sump from the first couple of 100 k's of operation anyway, it's all the more reason though to change it earlier than at VW's recommended interval, for the first service at least.

[Transporter]

Couple of tips to remember:
Never put funnel you are using for pouring the oil in the engine on the floor like in the photo, the same goes for the oil filter.
Keep the funnel in the sealed container or wash and dry it before use.
I buy more than one oil filter and the one I'm going to use next oil change I seal the box with the tape, so no sand and other dirt can get in.