The great oil debate... BUT which brands meet the ACEA A2 or A3 standard? Castrol GTX doesn't...
05-19-2002, 09:18 AM
#1
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The great oil debate... BUT which brands meet the ACEA A2 or A3 standard? Castrol GTX doesn't...
...nor does Mobil 1 (API SL-Cert).
Considering that I need to add a half-quart at 2.5k miles, which product would you use?
Considering that I need to add a half-quart at 2.5k miles, which product would you use?
05-19-2002, 09:34 AM
#2
For a 1/2q it won't matter. I'd add any 20-50. Valvoline Synpower meets ACEA 3.
I think their new formula organic oil does too. I just picked up a case for Mom's car. I belive Super Syn Mobil1 does meet the standard too, if I remember reading from the can. You might be reading off an old container???
05-19-2002, 09:39 AM
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20W-50? That might be overdoing it. The 1.8 is filled with 0W-30 from Audi, and they recommend 5W-40
...as the maximum viscosity for Autobahn-driven cars (100+ mph for extended time periods.)
05-19-2002, 09:44 AM
#4
Oil viscosity lowers during it's service life. Obviously, if he's burning some, it's thinning out.
What other weight would add some viscosity? It's going into Summertime, I'd want a little extra film strength in my old oil. Other option, if he wants to be a nut about it, is get some single weight(40?) non-detergent oil for topping-off. Kendall.
05-19-2002, 09:57 AM
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Would stay within Owners manual specs. 0-30w, 5-30w, 5-40W
Tolerances are tighter on newer engines. Its about lubrication not how thick the oil is. My factory oil (0-30W synthetic) at 5K miles tested 10W at 100 degrees Celcius.
05-19-2002, 10:18 AM
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To twist the matter up even more, there are NO 5W-30 or 10W-30 oils that can meet the ACEA A2/A3
standard!
So now I'm confused. Audi states that the factory fill is 0W-30, but this cannot meet the A2/A3 standard, since a -40 weight is needed to meet the spec.
So, Audi is filling the engines with an oil that does not meet their recommended spec straight from the factory?!
Maybe I'm missing something in the translation.
I do know, however, that BMW mandates 5W-40 in their engines. But Audi's oil filler cap reads "5W-30". Is this because 5W-40 is tougher to find in the US? Intrinsically, the 5W-30 cannot meet their self-stated ACEA A2/A3 guideline.
Soemthing just isn't right here. Especially when Mobil now markets an oil as 0W-40 "European Car Formula".
So now I'm confused. Audi states that the factory fill is 0W-30, but this cannot meet the A2/A3 standard, since a -40 weight is needed to meet the spec.
So, Audi is filling the engines with an oil that does not meet their recommended spec straight from the factory?!
Maybe I'm missing something in the translation.
I do know, however, that BMW mandates 5W-40 in their engines. But Audi's oil filler cap reads "5W-30". Is this because 5W-40 is tougher to find in the US? Intrinsically, the 5W-30 cannot meet their self-stated ACEA A2/A3 guideline.
Soemthing just isn't right here. Especially when Mobil now markets an oil as 0W-40 "European Car Formula".
05-19-2002, 11:41 AM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Ever think of calling the dealer and ask what he is using as the A4's that go there will
My dealer is an Audi, BMW, Porsche dealer with the same service bays....I would bet they all see the same oil (dino or synthetic). They buy it in 55 gallon drums. It believe that it is Castrol GTX. This is why I change my own oil...I know exactly what is going into my car!
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05-19-2002, 12:58 PM
#8
Index improvers tend to *reduce* film strength. It's Summer, single-weight is ok. 40w, Kendall.
I'm not saying use single-weight in a turbo all year 'round. It's just that the temps for us in NA will be predictably high for the next 6 months, why worry about the lower temp range viscosity? I wouldn't exactly knock myself out looking for 0w-30w or even 5w oil when we're approaching max seasonal operating temps.
05-19-2002, 01:01 PM
#9
Hmm. I took some time last week to read a lot of labels. Synpwr meets ACEA 3 but in 10-40, I believe
I will double-check. I was not really looking for top-end oil when I was at Wal*Mart, but I do remember an ACEA 3 for the SynPower.
