What oil for the R36

[apom]

because oils aint oils....Sol!!!

[Transporter]

This is getting old... Why do people continue to argue once they've been proven wrong?

NEO Platinum 0W30 is multi-viscosity lubricant that's not even based on petrolium. It's SPECIFICATIONS meet that of VW50400 and VW50700.

It's specifications are:

API: SM/CF; EC
ACEA: A5/B5-04
ILSAC: GF-4
JASO: VTW; MA
NMMA: FC-W
US MIL: 46152E; 2104F

Viscosity and specifications are different!!! Jesus Christ! Give it up mate!

In what I'm wrong?

[Lance B]

Lance B

Here is the list of approved oils for VW504.00
[ATTACH]4618[/ATTACH]
That VW50400 oil should also be 5W-30 oil

I keep saying that the approval means nothing other than this is what VW recommends and what these companies have asked to get approved so that people will think is all that VW will allow to be used. In other words a marketing ploy. The spec is the critical factor.

P.S. I checked that NEO oils and only oil they have for VW50400 is 0W-30 so how they can say it meets when it doesn't even meet the viscosity range.
http://www.gccorp.com.au/automotive/...products_id=83

2 things.
a) I never said that NEO had an oil which met the particular spec of VW 504 00 and I never said that they claimed it did meet VW 504 00. You are making up an argument to suit your cause.
b) I have never used NEO in any of my VW's only my Subaru and the reason I have never used NEO in my VW's is because they do not have an oil which has the correct viscosity range for the R36 or 3.2lt V6(my previous car).

[Transporter]

Look Lance B this arguing leads nowhere. You are very unlikely to change oil in your car yourself therefore VW dealer or mechanic will decide what oil will be used in your engine.

P.S. To the original poster and to satisfy these who don't like the oil companies the aftermarket oil that is also approved for VW504.00 5W30 is Penrite Enviro Plus 5W-30 (it is on the list of OEM approved oils)

[brad]

Lance B & Rocket36.

you two keep saying you are right based on "experience".

transporter & I say we are more right than you.

Transporter is a qualified Motor Mechanic with (IIRC) 15+ years of experience & OPD.

I've had a Motor Mechanics licence since 1983. I've also been an aircraft engineer and have industry recognised qualifications in mechanical engineering. My current role involves teaching contractors & vendors how to write manuals just so confusion like these crap VW manuals doesn't happen. I'm also the compliance guy (which includes coordinating our oil analysis programme on hydraulic equipment) and I get involved in warranty claims against contractors for major equipment far more expensive than any R36 engine.

If people want to believe you two then that's their choice I guess.

I can assure you that if you had any engine trouble that involved oil lubricated wear components in your engine and the claim was major, oil analysis would be carried out - it's cheap at only $35 a pop if you bulk buy the kits. If you are unfortunate enough to have your warranty claimed denied because the vehicle manufacturer (doesn't matter what company) thinks you haven't complied with their servicing recommendations then you have to go back to the oil company and see if they will stand behind their product. If that doesn't work then the Motor Traders Associatian of Australia are the next step. Don't expect too much from them as they are an industry run body (foxes looking after the henhouse) and they will ere on the side of the manufacturer (unless they have several proven complaints against that member). Then the next step is the legal system.

Buggered if I know why you'd roll the dice as you two recommend when you can just read a list of approved oils & make a choice from that.

The way I see it, it's a risk management thing. I've been burnt before & it's too much heartache to go through.

Hi Brad.

Please show me where I said anyone from VW told me anything to do with engine oil. Because I honestly can't find reference to it.

Exactly.

[Transporter]

Thanks Brad,
that was well said and spot on. I've 25+ years of experience as mechanic and running my own mechanical service and repair business for 15+ years. I do a lot research onto the oils and engines; I was also Amsoil dealer in Adelaide for a few years as well.

To everyone who is not sure what oil to use for top up or complete refill it is always safer to follow the owners manual and if still not clear - contact the dealer. Even if you buy oil from VW for $20 or even $40 more it is most likely once a year only and it is a cheap insurance and the peace of mind. Especially, if you plan on modifying for even higher performance.

[reverseworm]

Look Lance B this arguing leads nowhere. You are very unlikely to change oil in your car yourself therefore VW dealer or mechanic will decide what oil will be used in your engine.

P.S. To the original poster and to satisfy these who don't like the oil companies the aftermarket oil that is also approved for VW504.00 5W30 is Penrite Enviro Plus 5W-30 (it is on the list of OEM approved oils)

Apologies Transporter - as the original poster on this thread I never intended it to turn into a p*ssing contest.

I am sure the moderators would agree that the purpose of forums like this is to openly share information and knowledge for the betterment of the group, rather than demonstrating how omnisicient a particular member is.

[Lance B]

Lance B & Rocket36.

you two keep saying you are right based on "experience".

No, I am not saying it is based on "experience", never said it was, so I think you are saying that to somehow bolster your point of view. My stance is based on LAW.

transporter & I say we are more right than you.

You can't be more right, you are either right or wrong and I say you're wrong.

Transporter is a qualified Motor Mechanic with (IIRC) 15+ years of experience & OPD.

Being a qualified motor mechanic means nothing, in my book. I have seen plenty of substandard motor mechanics.

I've had a Motor Mechanics licence since 1983. I've also been an aircraft engineer and have industry recognised qualifications in mechanical engineering. My current role involves teaching contractors & vendors how to write manuals just so confusion like these crap VW manuals doesn't happen. I'm also the compliance guy (which includes coordinating our oil analysis programme on hydraulic equipment) and I get involved in warranty claims against contractors for major equipment far more expensive than any R36 engine.

All of this above is completely irrelevent. I know doctors that I wouldn't trust with a cold.

If people want to believe you two then that's their choice I guess.

They only need to believe in the LAW, because this is what we are talking about, not what you think VW would like us to believe, but what the law says.

I can assure you that if you had any engine trouble that involved oil lubricated wear components in your engine and the claim was major, oil analysis would be carried out - it's cheap at only $35 a pop if you bulk buy the kits. If you are unfortunate enough to have your warranty claimed denied because the vehicle manufacturer (doesn't matter what company) thinks you haven't complied with their servicing recommendations then you have to go back to the oil company and see if they will stand behind their product. If that doesn't work then the Motor Traders Associatian of Australia are the next step. Don't expect too much from them as they are an industry run body (foxes looking after the henhouse) and they will ere on the side of the manufacturer (unless they have several proven complaints against that member). Then the next step is the legal system.

It is up to VW to prove that it was the oil that caused the failure, not you to prove otherwise.

Buggered if I know why you'd roll the dice as you two recommend when you can just read a list of approved oils & make a choice from that.

Did I roll any dice. I think you will find that I have stated that I have not used any other oil than what the VW workshop uses as I believe the oil is good enough for my purposes and which means that I do not have to do the oil change myself. However, an oil that I have considered using in the R36 is the Q8 Oils as I personally know the distributor for these oils through my business, they also have a 5W 30 weight and exceeds the VW 504 00 spec, and it just so happens that it is on the VW so called "approved" list - which is not a reason for using it, I just thought I would mention as I know how concerned you both are thst I use an "approved" oil.

The way I see it, it's a risk management thing. I've been burnt before & it's too much heartache to go through.
Exactly.

Look Lance B this arguing leads nowhere.

True.

You are very unlikely to change oil in your car yourself therefore VW dealer or mechanic will decide what oil will be used in your engine.

Not necessarily. I have a an oil that I have considered using in the R36 is the Q8 Oils as I personally know the distributor for these oils through my business, they also have a 5W 30 weight which exceeds the VW 504 00 spec, and it just so happens that it is on the VW so called "approved" list - which is not a reason for using it, I just thought I would mention as I know how concerned you both are thst I use an "approved" oil. I may get the VW mechanics to use that oil instead of their Castrol oil.

Now we are resorting to childish monickers? Rather sad to think that you would need this to try to bolster your case.

[brad]

For the record though, the oil in the engine from the factory is different to the regular full synthetic oil I use.

Well, maybe not a "run-in" oil as such, but it is not the same oil that they use after 15,000kms, according to one person I contacted at VW head office

That was one of their tech people?

The factory fill is Generally Fuchs Titan Pro or Shell Helix Ultra Extra

To *me* LongLife *is* 15,000kms. There is *no* reference in the manual to LongLife service intervals anyway and my experience is that 15,000kms is long life and requires at the very least synthetic oils. Having said that, there is more to it than simple "put in synthetic oils and you can extend service intervals". Things like short duration driving and condensation build up are among some of the things that would require shorter service intervals.

To you maybe but VW have a different definition which I have already explained. Long Life is QG1 service schedule (variable) which isn't implemented in Australia. QG0/QG2 are fixed (15,000km/12months) service schedules. Your car may have been imported to Australia on QG1 but it should be set back to QG0/2 to comply with VW Australias recomended service regime.
Yes, I agree short trips, towing, long periods of idling, city driving are all classified as "severe conditions" and may require more frequent serving. All the necessary information is sprinkled in the Owners & Service Manuals. It's badly done and I wouldn't accept it from one of my contractors.

Well, I would suggest that there is no harm in doing less than 15,000km services and there is reason to think that it would do a whole lot of good. Why does someone need to carry out an oil analysis if they want to change the oil at more regular intervals?

So your service schedule is based on personal preference rather than what the manufacturer recommends?

Why do oil analysis? If it's a unit that only costs $50 to do an oil change on then you wouldn't bother. If the cost of the oil (+labour) significantly exceeds the cost of oil analysis then oil analysis is not only more economic but you can monitor the wear metals, moisture content, viscosity, etc. This helps formulate a PM schedule, out of service time, shutdowns, etc.

I would think that if I spend upwards of $70,000 on a car, peace of mind is paramount and together with Rocket36, halfway servicing at 7,500kms is good insurance.

that's where I don't understand you. On one hand you are doing half-changes for insurance, on the other you seem happy to forego the "insurance" of using a VW approved oil.

Apologies Transporter - as the original poster on this thread I never intended it to turn into a p*ssing contest.

i wouldn't call it a contest.

I respect the Lance & Rockets right to use whatever oil they wish to in their own car but I don't believe they should be conveying misleading or inappropriate information to others.

[Rocket36]

I respect the Lance & Rockets right to use whatever oil they wish to in their own car but I don't believe they should be conveying misleading or inappropriate information to others.

BLOODY HELL!!!!! I am not conveying misleading or inappropriate information to others. All I am saying is that if you use ANY oil that meets the specifications VW have set, then there is no problem. I even posted the pages from the manual. It can't be any clearer than that. Use ANY oil that meets SPECIFICATION and you're well within your warranty conditions.

It's obvious to me that some people just don't get it. And when that happens, it's time to stop wasting my energy.

The answer to the OP's question as to what oil to use in the R36 is this. ANY OIL THAT MEETS VW SPECIFICATIONS AS PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. Brand has nothing to do with it.

Here it is... And for those who still don't get it, I've outlined the parts that apply in red (remember to refresh).





I give up after this. If it's not clear to anyone (when it would be clear to someone with only a primary school education), then it's their problem and good luck to them!

You offer someone the exact answer they want, and provide positive advice based on your own experience which is going to have only POSITIVE results for ANY engine and you get a couple of keyboard warriors who spoil it. I'm done with this nonsesne!

[mikinoz]

I think that the OP has had his question answered now.

Each person can maintain as they see fit.

[Audemars]

A pointer for those who struggle to find Castrol 5W30 (for the R36). I just bought some from Kmart. They charge around $65 for 5L.

[ron]

I recommend Motul 8000 series plus.

[gead]

is that an approved oil?

[brad]

I recommend Motul 8000 series plus.

Disregard specs etc but did you find the Motul starts out great (eg: makes engine quieter, revs well, etc) and after about 3000km goes "off" (engine becomes noisier than previous, has the viscosity of water, etc). I tried Motul 8000 series in my Subaru (as did a few mates) and initially you fall in love but very quickly that wears off.

FWIW the Motul 8000 range (4 types in Aus) is VW502/505 approved (so perfectly fine for 15,000/12 month change cycles)