Sorry if this has been covered before. I had a quick search and couldn’t find the answer I wanted.

Superb 2.5 TDi, firstly is it a PD engine? I am getting very confused about this.

Secondly, it is on a fixed service interval, the handbook recommends oil that meets VW505.01 spec. I have called the VW garage that serviced my car last and they said it’s just 5w40 for my car, when I queried if this meets the 505.01 spec they kind of agreed but I was not convinced by their answer.

I called TPS who said my car IS NOT a PD engine and I could get 5 litres of oil for my car for 9 quid! I’m a bit dubious

Halfords seem to sell their own brand of oil for PD engines which meets 505.01 for 36 quid for 5 litres which seems reasonable

Lastly, does the 2.5 require 5.4 litres of oil for a complete change?

Any recommendations of makes of oil, viscosity and meeting VW spec would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ian

The 2.5 V6 is not a PD engine, it's an old tech diesel with a rotary pump.

As such, oil to 505.01 is not required - but you should refer to the manual for the required VAG oil specification (not just the viscosity). I suspect the man from TPS was right.

Change the oil more frequently than VAG recommends in order to get a reasonable life out of this engine.

rotodiesel.

But......... I'd like to add to that advice, that my 2.5TDi lives on a diet of VAG 506.01 since my other Skoda does need it. So I use the same stuff in both cars. It's a fairly expensive diet, but the Superb will not suffer for having a superior lube oil than it really needs. And hence I think it is cheap insurance.

506.01 is almost certainly not the optimum oil for this engine.

Expensive does not necessarily mean "better". Use the oil specification detailed by VAG for this engine - make does not matter.

rotodiesel.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. Guess this will broaden my scope for oil choice now then

Ian

Factory spec for 2.5TDI are 506.00 for variable service interval, 505.00 for fixed service interval.

506.01 and 505.01 meet and exceed 506.00 and 506.01 specifications, so are OK to use and are actually better than 505.00/506.01 but more expensive. There is a good argument to use them in that they are more resistant to surface pressure wear (pump injector camlobe wear was the reason for using this oil in PD engines), and at least some of the 2.5TDI engines suffered from valve train wear.

You can also use 507.00 which is the newest and most expensive spec, but is not really better wear wise (just burns cleaner which is apparently important for the DPF )

I use 505.01 synthetic since the car was new, full synthetic. But main reason for this choice was 3 for 2 offer at Halfords

So whatsthe deal with the 140 2.0 CR etc's?

Do they need 500 spec oil or is fully synthetic ok for them?

@ £9 for 5 litres I'd walk, the minimum cost of a decent 5/30 is going to be £20-£30.

Right, bought the oil from TPS

Bloke there assured me its fine for my car, its made by Quantum, 10W40 and approved to VW 505 00

Is this going to balls my engine up if im on a fixed interval 10k oil change?

I cant see a company owned by VW (was actually in a VW van dealers this branch of TPS) selling crud that I would assume they them selves put in the cars when they service them.

Any thoughts?

If its got 505.00 approval then its ideal. 10k intervals/12 months are fine too, although I'd shorten that interval if you plan to keep it for a long time - especially at £9 for 5l!!!

Seems to me when I looked, that you can only open an account at TPS if you are in the trade?

Seems to me when I looked, that you can only open an account at TPS if you are in the trade?

No you can buy without an account, you pay VAT as normal. Just told them I did my own servicing and they were very helpful.

Thanks, I wanted a mail order account since my nearest branch is in Manchester. I couldn't see how to set one up unless you were a trader even though I do own a Ltd Co (non motor trade though). Not to worry.