In our local Tesco yesterday was 5W/30 fully synthetic oil for £20 for a 4 litre bottle. Also had 2 litre bottles for £14. It is marketed under their own name.

On the label it actually said it was okay for VW, Skoda etc. and good for both petrol and diesel engines. No mention of the VAG codes (507 etc).

Any thoughts on this?

In our local Tesco yesterday was 5W/30 fully synthetic oil for £20 for a 4 litre bottle. Also had 2 litre bottles for £14. It is marketed under their own name.

On the label it actually said it was okay for VW, Skoda etc. and good for both petrol and diesel engines. No mention of the VAG codes (507 etc).

Any thoughts on this?

Personally - I will not use oil that doesn't "conform to VW xxx Specification".

There are numerous oils which are 507 specification, there are numerous oils that conform to 507 specifications.

But just to have the word "VW" or "Skoda" on the bottle wouldn't be enough for me.

In our local Tesco yesterday was 5W/30 fully synthetic oil for £20 for a 4 litre bottle. Also had 2 litre bottles for £14. It is marketed under their own name.

On the label it actually said it was okay for VW, Skoda etc. and good for both petrol and diesel engines. No mention of the VAG codes (507 etc).

Any thoughts on this?

Why don't you ask the checkout girl or the customer service counter if it meets VAG 507

Any good shop should know its products.

Why don't you ask the checkout girl or the customer service counter if it meets VAG 507

Any good shop should know its products.

I'm sure there must be ways of checking it out - I doubt if Tesco would risk court cases due to selling unsuitable oil!

I don't think I could ask a check out girl about meeting VAG 507 - she might get the wrong idea.

Personally - I will not use oil that doesn't "conform to VW xxx Specification".

There are numerous oils which are 507 specification, there are numerous oils that conform to 507 specifications.

But just to have the word "VW" or "Skoda" on the bottle wouldn't be enough for me.

This.

I wouldn't mess about with oil. I'd only buy the proper stuff from VAG personally.

I'm sure there must be ways of checking it out - I doubt if Tesco would risk court cases due to selling unsuitable oil!

I don't think I could ask a check out girl about meeting VAG 507 - she might get the wrong idea.

Well if you want to meet the checkout girl about Vag at 5.07pm then that is entirely between you and her

However, good point. Tesco dont make oil. they just get their name on the bottle. Probably Comma or Carplan. I've no idea how you could find out though.

Personally - I will not use oil that doesn't "conform to VW xxx Specification".

There are numerous oils which are 507 specification, there are numerous oils that conform to 507 specifications.

But just to have the word "VW" or "Skoda" on the bottle wouldn't be enough for me.

+1

It's unlikely it would be 507.00 spec for a fiver a litre.

It's unlikely it would be 507.00 spec for a fiver a litre.

I bought synthetic 507.00 for £6 a litre from a small independent dealer last year. I'd expect that Tesco could undercut if they so wished. But, as said, no deal unless the specification is stated on the product.

Edited 22 February, 201115 yr by gregoir

I wouldn't, unless the specific spec is written on the bottle.

And knowing Tesco, yes they might well try and get away with it. The other benefit of being big is that people are often unlikely to challenge them. Especially if you have an issue X thousand miles down the line. An oil sample could be taken and sent away for testing against a known 507-compliant oil, but you'd still have a fight on your hands.

Worth risking it? Not for me.

Without that code, it's just multigrade oil to me. 0I would't risk it.

Look how much Tesco wriggled over the silicon contamination of their petrol a few years back.

I wonder if there is some kind of authority who checks these things - a kind of Watchdog !!??

A Watchdog, as in the TV programme or more like an OilCOM?

The former is usually only useful AFTER an issue has occured. The latter I'm not sure exists; perhaps it would be best covered by SoGA. It might also be construed that it's being mis-sold, if it's not clear exactly what vehicle/engine this is suitable for.

Well I have just emailed them (Tesco), described the exact product and asked which VAG specification if conforms to. e.g. 505.01, 507 etc.

See what kind of answer I get, if any.

Probably find out it conforms to Flymo lawnmower blade greaser.

Volkswagen keeps a list of approved oils that they have tested and approved. It's avaialble here ERWIN.

The link is to the right of the page half way down. You have to register to get access (cost free).

I just checked and there is nothing for TESCO on the approved list for any VW spec oil. As other posters have said it might be an approved oil under a TESCO wrapper but how are you to know?

Seems one would be taking a chance for the sake of a few pounds.

Typical of supermarkets not understanding their products. I bet they don't have any technical staff to control the supplier labelling. I suppose eventually they will get round to correctly label the oil if enough customers query the specification. But would you take their word that it did meet say VW507 even though it wasn't on the label ? I know I wouldn't !

Edited 23 February, 201115 yr by vwcabriolet1971

Totally agree with all members that state, oil must have the correct VW spec for your car.

As to the brand that means nothing, it can be called 'David Cameron' it's the correct spec oil being the important part.

Volkswagen keeps a list of approved oils that they have tested and approved. It's avaialble here ERWIN.

The link is to the right of the page half way down. You have to register to get access (cost free).

I just checked and there is nothing for TESCO on the approved list for any VW spec oil. As other posters have said it might be an approved oil under a TESCO wrapper but how are you to know?

Seems one would be taking a chance for the sake of a few pounds.

If I get an answer back that says their oil is actually "xxxxx" I can check it against that list. I don't suppose Tesco has its own refineries!

My answer would be to change supermarket and go to Asda. The last couple of times I have needed oil they have had a deal on with either Mobil 1 (5litre) or Castrol Edge (4 litre) for £30.00 - and both had more VW numbers than you could shake a stick at

Edited 23 February, 201115 yr by Morley

If I get an answer back that says their oil is actually "xxxxx" I can check it against that list. I don't suppose Tesco has its own refineries!

Would be a good idea. Would also be a good idea for them to answer, as clearly their packaging and product labelling is sub-standard. Indeed, like Halfords stuff that I often use - it must be provided by one of the big boys! Even Tesco couldn't just setup an oil operation overnight

My answer would be to change supermarket and go to Asda. The last couple of times I have needed oil they have had a deal on with either Mobil 1 (5litre) or Castrol Edge (4 litre) for £30.00 - and both had more VW numbers than you could shake a stick at

As long as they're the right and correct VW spec numbers then yes, good shout :yes:

I'm sure there must be ways of checking it out - I doubt if Tesco would risk court cases due to selling unsuitable oil!

I don't think I could ask a check out girl about meeting VAG 507 - she might get the wrong idea.

She'll likely direct you to the toiletries isle. Check next to Vagibreeze or Mintiminge.

Got my first (non) answer from Tesco customer service. Answer is they don't know the answer. However, all is not lost as they are directing the query to somebody who can find out if there is someone who knows a man that can contact a person who can find out the necessary information.

Which will probably be "It's a bottle'v oil, innit."

Trouble is, if it proves to be the right stuff, by then it will probably have either sold out or gone up to £15 a litre.

Watch this space.

Here is the official answer:

*******************************

I have now received a response from my Support Team:

"If the customers car is still under warranty then they must use the oil referred to in the manufacturers handbook.

This Tesco product is, as stated on the product, suitable for modern vehicles - but if the customer is in doubt, they must consult the manufacturers handbook.

Answer:

This (as stated on the product) meets or exceeds the requirements of the following specifications : SAE 5w/30 :API SM/CF ACEA, C3, Low SAPS/Low ash.

It has not been tested to VAG specifications."

***********************************

A response at least. But not a very good one. So you should only use oil to the correct specification if your car is within warranty?! :wonder:

This stands up to the logic of oil buying though, and is a case in point - unless it specifically mentions the VAG standard for your engine and vehicle, DON'T BUY IT.

I think the above posts have answered the question.

I always stick to well know brands of oil and fuel. I normally use Shell fuel and Millers oil. This week I picked up a 5l bottle of XFE-PD (505.01 spec) oil for £30.