I'm confused and dealer isn't able to explain to my satisfaction.

 

I have 1.2Tsi which is set to Fixed Servicing but we always pay about £30 extra to have Long

Life oil used at each service. The logic being a better quality oil and  extended engine life.

Probable unnecessary but  that's what we do.

 

I think I read on here that the oil should be VW 504/507 spec ....is that for both Fixed and Variable

servicing?

The engine bay has a sticker to use Castrol Edge 5-30 which I assume is fully synthetic.

 

As I need to buy some I asked the dealer for clarification and what the difference was between normal (FIXED SERVICING) and long life (VARIABLE SERVICING) oil and got more confused.

 

Initially got  answer Castrol Edge 5-40 Fixed, Castrol Edge 5-30 Variable. This didn't seem right as I DON'T THINK the 'number' bit of the spec defines the 'long life' part of the spec.

When queried told that ordinary Castrol Edge is used for fixed and Castrol Edge Professional

is the Long life version they use.

 

I honestly think the above is a load of rubbish or not quite right.

Is the right spec oil the same for fixed and variable services and am I paying an unnecessary

supplement for oil which is in effect the same oil.?

 

Can somebody explain in simple terms what I should use to conform with Long life oil for a 1.2TSI Yeti?

 

I thought semi-synthetic was ordinary oil and fully synthetic was long life oil but is probably not completely true. Will continue to use Castrol Edge 5-30 until I can get better advice.

 

Clarification appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long life oil is fully synthetic-it is designed and made to resist the processes which cause degradation of mineral oil so as to be useable with accountant driven long service intervals. VAG set their own standards which oil companies manufacture to. The VAG codes are 504 and 507. Any oil which meets these standards will do well for you*. Arguably-because on "oil threads" there are deeply held inconsistent opinions-if you are not trying to meet the bean counters and fleet managers cost per mile targets and are changing the oil every year/10,000 miles you don't need the more expensive oil as the cheaper one is designed to stay in grade and effective on fixed servicing terms.

I always go for the higher rated fully synthetic-even on my bike which gets changed far more frequently than recommended. I'm sure it isn't necessary but just do it for my own satisfaction.

* I restrict this assertion to reputable brands-those who you believe will mark their oils honestly-there may be dodgy companies who would try to cheat by labelling oil as if it meets standards it doesn't.

So what do dealers put in for fixed and what for variable that still meets the Skoda/VW spec. 

Is there a difference?

Can you explain in 'Castrol' branding terms. e.g. Castrol XXXX fixed servicing, Castrol YYYY variable servicing that meets VW Spec.?

 

With your advice above why would the dealer charge me extra (see first posting) as both versions of Castrol he mentioned are Fully Synthetic I assume.? And £30 seems a bit high for a marginally different oil if that is the case.

 

Still confused.

Edited 30 August, 201312 yr by kibby

I haven't done the research to check brand names against specs-online or in a motor factors you would need to check which oils carry which specification. I think VAG may supply dealers with Quantum branded oil as I have seen it at Prospect Skoda and Wayside VW-I don't know if they are bound to supply an oil distributed by VAG or can use whatever their service department can buy most cheaply.

Some facts:

VW have two main specifications:

502 00/505 00 is their "regular drain" specification.

504 00/507 00 is their long drain specification. It is only available in 5W-30 and is known as "longlife III"

You can use the long drain oil in a standard drain scenario, but not vice versa (so you can't use the standard drain oil on a variable service interval).

All VW engines (of all brands) leave the factory with the long drain oil in them, regardless of the service interval set up.

Castrol EDGE 5W-30 meets VW's long drain spec (as well as many others, like BMW, Mercedes etc). However this oil is sold through the retail outlets and independent workshops, NOT through franchised workshops.

Castrol Professional brands (so Castrol EDGE Professional Longlife III 5W-30) are only available through franchised workshops and are often dedicated to a specific OEM (in this case VW, so the oil only carries the VW spec and was developed specifically with this in mind).

Castrol EDGE Professional OE 5W-40 is a more generic oil meant for regular drain applications across a few OEMs, but still through the franchised workshops only.

You're right that the viscosity number has nothing to do with the oil drain capability.

So, in summary, putting the better oil in your car will only be a good thing. Both are fully synthetic though.

Most dealers I've visited lately appear to be using Quantum these days but as JCP suggests in the past it could be down to price or the senior Techs preference.

 

Most important thing though is to look for the VAG oil codes rather than the brand or grade.

 

Petrol enginge - 502 fixed, 504 longlife.

 

Deisel - 504 only.

 

TP

Also, VW recommend Castrol oils (and fill with them at the factory). However dealers are franchises and so whilst they are influenced by the supplying OEM and may get a good deal as a consequence, they can choose other suppliers. That said, only Castrol have the close relationship with VW in terms of technical exchange etc.

Does this mean from above that Engines leave factory with Long Life and if you opt for fixed servicing you then in effect downgrade the oil to normal Non Long Life oil?

Getting clearer...thanks

Edited 30 August, 201312 yr by kibby

Most dealers I've visited lately appear to be using Quantum these days but as JCP suggests in the past it could be down to price or the senior Techs preference.

 

Most important thing though is to look for the VAG oil codes rather than the brand or grade.

 

Petrol enginge - 502 fixed, 504 longlife.

 

Deisel - 504 only.

 

TP

Almost right. With diesel it is 507 only (the first number is the petrol spec, the second number is the diesel spec, but they are always combined inextricably). You have to use the 507 even in standard drain because the diesels have DPFs which need the lower ash level of the 507 specification.

Does this mean from above that Engines leave factory with Long Life and if you opt for fixed servicing you then in effect downgrade the oil to normal Non Long Life oil?Getting clearer...thanks

Yes, the first fill is long life. If you choose to have the car set to standard service at purchase then you effectively have the better oil for a shorter drain. If you have a petrol engine, at the next service they may opt to 'downgrade' to the standard drain oil for a petrol, but a diesel has to use the better oil anyway.

Yes

Can now understand why I was confused. The Castrol Edge Professional 5-40 being short drain (normal) and the 5-30 version being long drain (Long life) adds to the confusion and explains the dealers comments.

I would assume the term 'Professional' implies Long Life but obviously wrong.

Edited 30 August, 201312 yr by kibby

The "Professional" branding is to differentiate oils that are for the OEM franchised workshops from those that are sold through shops and independent workshops.

Cool thing - the Castrol EDGE Professional oils have a UV dye in them; ask your dealer to demonstrate this (they should have a UV torch in order to be able to prove to you that they used the genuine oil).

So what's the difference between Edge and Edge Professional apart UV indicator and price.

 

For those who got a bottle of oil with their car, what type and grade was supplied?

 only Castrol have the close relationship with VW in terms of technical exchange etc.

I'd like to think that is so but very much doubt it. The specification for oil is an objective set of criteria which any manufacturer may produce to. The deals between oil brands and vehicle makers is usually straight finance. Who offers the most cash or supplies for the manufacturers endorsement. My Triumph motorcycle handbook specifies one make-Mobil. I think later models specify Castrol. Neither was involved with the design and development of the 675 triple which came from the 06 Daytona but must have done a deal to get their oil listed as recommended. I use silkolene which meets the same spec but which I happen to like.

Oil supplied with my new Yeti (Greenline Diesel) is Castrol Edge Professional Longlife III 5w-30

So what's the difference between Edge and Edge Professional apart UV indicator and price.

The professional products are often developed specifically to meet certain OEMs' requirements and so are essentially bespoke, whereas the non-professional range is more generic and aimed at a wider audience, usually being multi-purpose.

I'd like to think that is so but very much doubt it. The specification for oil is an objective set of criteria which any manufacturer may produce to. The deals between oil brands and vehicle makers is usually straight finance. Who offers the most cash or supplies for the manufacturers endorsement. My Triumph motorcycle handbook specifies one make-Mobil. I think later models specify Castrol. Neither was involved with the design and development of the 675 triple which came from the 06 Daytona but must have done a deal to get their oil listed as recommended. I use silkolene which meets the same spec but which I happen to like.

I know it to be true. Castrol and VW have been working together for years. Relationships are diverse in their nature, but the big ones are truly strategic and include what's called 'co-engineering', where engine and oil are developed at the same time. Also, the specifications of which you speak, which are indeed open to anyone to attain, are a minimum requirement - there is still room to go better than the requirements. Additionally, if you have an open line to the OEM technical team you can get to advise on the specification or be working on it before anyone else; if you also get your hands on the hardware in prototype or pre-launch form you get experience of it before anyone else and hence a head start and thorough knowledge of its appetites. Oh, by the way, VW's oil specifications are amongst the most demanding there are, so whilst anyone can have a crack at it, you need deep pockets and good technology to actually achieve it.

Of course there's a commercial element and a relationship may start there and lead on to deeper cooperation. You're right that Castrol's link with Triumph is new but you have to start somewhere.

Thanks, I didn't know that the Castrol/VAG was more than just a commercial tie in. My cynicism is based on the way that OEM tyres and oils vary on both cars and bikes  in a way that demonstrates that isn't an engineering decision at all. I agree that VAG standards are exacting and that is why I'd always seek a brand that I have regard for.