I've asked this in another thread also but probably best to start a new topic. I'm trying to decide what engine oil to get for the next change. The handbook only mentions the VW numbers which mean nothing to me and the Haynes manual says 5w-40 - 20w-40 which is a pretty wide range. It looks like the VW garages sell 5W-40 oil for this engine. What oil do you guys use in your 1.4 MPI?

To be fair to the MPI the engine is based on a rather old design - so does not really need anything particularly exotic like the more modern ones and diesels do. I currently have Shell Helix 5w-40 fully synthetic in, which I found for £10. Had it in there a while and it doesn't appear to have used a single drop of oil. Have previously used 10w-40 semi synthetic Gulf Tec Plus, which I think is currently about £10 a 4l can in Home Bargains. Gone up in price but still quite good value.

I'd personally stick to 10w-40 or 5w-40 (likely to cost more).

I'm using Castrol 10w-40 semi-synth in my 2003 twin cam 1.4. But the car has done 50,000 miles and the engine is prematurely slightly worn - its getting through a litre of oil every 600 miles.So that's getting a bit expensive @ £10 a litre top-up.

Might switch to 20-50 to cut down the oil loss and cost.

Nick

Edited 26 September, 201114 yr by Clunkclick