Oil spec and Viscosity

[saturn]

Hi all,
I know this subject has had a lot of posts in various forms, but I'm having a few issues.

I have a 1.4 Ibiza 16v Sport on a '52 plate.
I need the right oil to do an oil change. The book says a number of different things....

For petrol engines it says use multigrade synthetic oils with VW 500 00 spec. on the next page it says multigrade oil VW501 01 are reasonable and can also be used.
It the follows by saying VW502 00 can be used as well if used in tough conditions.

So my question is which VW spec oil to use, AND what viscosity?
the opie oil site shows 10W40 semi-synthetic. (models 1994 onwards)

I popped into halfords for comparison and they showed 5w40 fully synthetic as the recommended oil. But this only came in castrol Edge with VW spec VW504 00/VW507 00.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RUM4MO]

I've always used 5-40 fully synthetic, originally Synta Gold from VW (Polo 1.4 2003MY BBY engine), but then changed to buying it cheaper at local VAG shows, now Synta Gold has gone and it has been replaced by Platinum same weight but newer rationalised VAG spec. I am now using Fuchs Titan Super SL 5-40 - still fully synthetic - you can get that from GSF and its meant to be what is used at VAG engine plants. If GSF are not near you then you can order it on-line. If you go down this route then I can find the GSF part number for this oil - as that might make life easier for you - on-line orders are supplied P&P free.

 

[RUM4MO]

Right, I've now found the GSF stock number for this oil - it is 98085A and it costs £16.50 +VAT for 4 Litres. Its full name is Fuchs Supersyn SL 5W-40 - oh and I am wrong about free on-line delivery now - that is now only for orders over £50 - otherwise delivery is £4.95 - which means that to get a container of this on your door step will cost £24.67 - unless you can get to GSF.

 

[saturn]

Hi RUM4MO,
Many thanks for the info, appreciate your time! Didn't realise it would be so hard to find oil for this car...has to be the first car I've had that didn't say exactly what it needed (well in a way that oils are branded etc)

ps. what is you oil consumption like just out of curiosity? Mine is the BBZ engine and the book states oil consumption can be up to 1ltr/1000km (1ltr/620miles). I'm adding about 3/4ltr every 850 miles. Seems a lot, but my first seat.... doesn't get driven hard so not sure quite why the highish consumption unless its got the wrong oil in it? Am going to change the oil just tp be sure, previous owner didn't have it done at seat or specialist, so you never know...

 

[RUM4MO]

The BBY and BBZ engines do not seem to get a really bad name for oil consumption - in terms of VAG engines I'd say that you have nothing to worry about, its not good, but that does seem to be the way it is!

I've forgotten (conveniently) what my wife's BBY Polo uses - but suffice to say it does use oil.

I've got a 2000MY B5 Passat 2.8V6, and it has always liked a top up - from new, I'd reckon that if I'm really lucky, I use 10 litres of oil a year - 5 litres at oil change and the rest as top-ups - that is over 12 months and roughly 8000 miles.

I've had cars, mainly Fords and one VX (Cav 2.0 16V GSI 4X4 - full title!) and none of them ever used oil between services. I try to comfort myself in the belief that these are low friction engines and its better to burn oil than cause extra bore wear!

On the subject of "exactly what oil do I need?" - I posted that very question on the forum for the latest Ibiza and got a very (not) helpful answer "read the handbook" - or words to that effect. The reason that I had asked was because I had read the handbook, and seen a few newer Polos (same engines) with stickers supporting/encouraging the use of Castrol - backed up with seeing one on display with a Castrol one litre container in the boot! Also, it seems that the dealers do not now sell one litre top-up containers (heard someone being told that at parts place), now this is a strange one as VAG do tend to encourage the buying of a "top-up kit" which includes a one litre container - and - EU regulations are trying to stop the sale of five litre containers of engine oil to DIYers as lots of them seem to tip the old oil down the drain - so selling in one litre containers costs this job up too far for DIYers to continue doing themselves.

It all a big mystery I'm afraid, but try to buy filters at any VAG outlet though as they are cheap and all the same for theh small petrol engines, maybe spalsh out and buy a new drain plug complete with sealing washer as well - I do that every two or three oil changes.

Oh, and maybe over the top, but I add Comma Petrol Flush about a 100 miles before each yearly oil change, its not too agressive and will help stir up into solution the stuff that has dropped down onto the base of the sump + it might even improve things a bit.(get it in Halfords usually for convenience)

 

[saturn]

Awesome,
thanks for the info yet again!
I'll certainly follow your advice as well as keep a litre of oil in the boot

thanks again