Dave M

As some of you may know, I changed the oil only (no filter) in my '03 3.0 this weekend at the 6 month mark. I decided to do this since the '04s now get the first oil change at the 6 month/5K mile mark (then 1 year/10K miles thereafter) rather than the 1 year/10K mile interval for the '03s. I figured it would be better to change the oil only than do nothing. I had to go to 3 different Autozones to find enough German formulated Syntec 0w-30, but I was able to stockpile enough for my next change as well in the process! I think the stores re-stock from the front, so when they run out of the new German formulation the old yellow label US formulation is left from the back.

Anywho, the car is running much smoother now and the light valve chatter that I was getting on startup is now gone. I'm not sure how long I had been getting the valve chatter - I don't remember it coming on suddenly, and I can't remember if it was there from day one or not. I thought that I read a few threads here that the chatter was normal so I really did not worry about it too much, but maybe that is not the case. Maybe the chatter is a sign that the oil has neared end of life, or maybe the GC 0w-30 is just a better oil than the factory fill (even though it is rumored to be the factory fill).

2tuŽbos1mission

Wish I could find some of that, all of the auto zones around me have the US made stuff.

Audi Junkie

Great stuff. Nothing else like it in US. I have it in 4 cars, no more burning, better mpg.

Carguy427

Or a website to check it out?

Also, do you think it is better then Mobil 1 0w-40?

Dave M

Ya, it almost seems like folks are hoarding it...add me to that list! :-)

Dave M

There are at least three versions of this oil in 0w-30 weight out there, but the only one you should be concerned with is the one that has a red label and is marked "Made in Germany" on the back. There is also one with a red label, slightly different label design, that is marked "Made in USA" or something similar. There is also a yellow label version that is the USA formula as well. The USA versions are a totally different oil than the German made one, and the German made one is reported to be their formula SLX which is a highly regarded oil in Europe. Besides that, the German made version is the only version that has listed on the bottle that it meets the ACEA: A3/B3 B4-98 spec that our cars call for. The German version of this oil has an almost fluorescent green color to it when the light hits it right, and it smells kind of alcoholic (some think it smells like gummy bears). Much different than any oil I have encountered before, except maybe Redline which has a similar fluorescence only in aqua blue.

As for the Mobil 1 0w-40, I think it is a fine oil and is the only other oil that meets the specs even though it is not one of the recommended grades in the manual. It it reported to be on the light side of a 40w oil so it is probably just fine and is what I would probably use if I could not find the German Castrol 0w-30. In fact, I did use some of the M1 0w-40 as top up oil in my car until I found the GC 0w-30.

Audi Junkie

<ul><li><a href="http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003815">http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003815</a</li></ul>

HiTEC

I saw it at AutoZone this weekend. It said it met VW/Audi specs.

Dave M

The other grades of M1 that folks might use (0w-30, 5w-30) do not meet this spec.

HiTEC

I was looking at my Castrol 5W-50 last night and it meet all the specs my owners manual called for.