vyangA6

Hello Fellow Owners,
I have always used Mobil 1 oil for every car I've owned in the past. I bought a 2012 3.0T A6 and thinking about doing the first oil change. I believe Audi recommend 5W40 Full Synthetic oils. I tried to search for recommendation in here but I couldn't find it. Anyway, I search Wal-Mart online but they seem to have 0W40 which is approved for Audi. I know that ECS Tuning has a oil change kit with LIQUI MOLLY and another company sells VMO RAVENOL. Which is a better oil for these engine? Your feedback is greatly appreciated and I apologize if this is another repeat thread.

plat27265

As long as the oil meets the Audi/VW 502 spec, any brand is OK. Here is the Audi Recommended Oils TSB: https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/...e-Bulletin.pdf

You can go Castrol, Mobil 1, LiquidMoly, etc. As long as it meets the Audi/VW standard, it is OK.

santoku

Working within the aforementioned Audi/VW 502 spec oils, there are a multitude of options, depending on what is available in your area. There are also many threads and debates that can be found here, on other Audi enthusiast sites, Bob's the Oil Guy, YouTube, etc., discussing the merits of different brands.

For my part, I've chosen to use Motul 8100 X-Clean 5W40, and have been happy with it here in the frozen North. I can get it in bulk from a local garage for a decent price, and do my own changes.

uberwgn

Vyang, if you are in the USA, Autozone still sells the Castrol 5W40 product at ~ $10/qt. As the others have stated, you are probably best with a 502.00 spec oil and they're all going to be materially the same. I'd probably fly with whatever is easiest for you to obtain. For most that will be the M1 0W40 at Walmart for ~$24/5qt. Walmart is also offering the newer Castrol 0W40 at similar pricing.

newmoon

I use Castrol Edge 0W-40 European Formula which meets the VW 502.00 and BMW LL-01 specs, since I also have a BMW 135i so I just buy 5 qt jugs and use the same oil in both. Mobil 1 0W-40 no longer meets the BMW LL-01 spec, but it does meet VW 502.00 so feel free to use it in your Audi if you want.

Regarding 0W-40 vs 5W-40, the 0W-40 oil will be thin enough to start the engine at about 5C lower temps than the 5W-40 oil, but we're talking about down in the -40C/-40F range. At operating temp, both oils have the same viscosity because they are both rated at 40 weight. So either one is fine.

I have seen Mobil 1 in 0W-40, but not in 5W-40.
Castrol Edge does come in 5W-40: http://a.co/feOufe2 . I think dealers get special pricing to stock this one.
But it's more expensive than 0W-40: http://a.co/fh0eWAE so I use this one because it's also readily available in places like Walmart.

Ghuss

The required one is any oil with this standard Audi/VW 502 spec like Castrol 5W40 , Liqui Moli, Profi, ...etc

vyangA6

Thanks for the feedbacks guys. My car will usually be in the garage and be driving for long trips so I probably won't have to worry about cold starts.