also just because it says "meets" the VW spec doesn't mean its the same.

 

Approved and Meets are different.

 

Personally I only ever used Genuine oil from TPS in my vRS and my Fabia vRS now gets the same oil.  I wouldn't mi for the same reason.

 

I would only do what you are doing IF I needed a small amount to get home, then Ide do a full oil/filter change with correct oil.

 

there isn't that much that gets left in the sump when you drain them neither, a few ml here and there, I always flush my engines first too and then rince them with oil before swapping the filter and putting new oil in again.

 

I am anal tho

I wouldn't trust longlife oil vw or other wise. No oil will last an indeterminate amount of time. In fact audis on longlife service intervals have proven to cause aggressive cam wear on older tdi engines. Admittedly hollow cams don't help but longlife oil and schedules are a contributor.

All I'm trying to say is regular changes with a decent, correct oil is best, however the odd top up with a slightly off oil isn't going to hurt an engine.

If my car was low on oil and 10w50 was the only thing available I'd bang it in as any oil is better than no oil. The main thing is regular oil changes will prolong engine life, also don't forget manufactures like to sell there own products so always be aware there spec may be only available from them purely for money making reasons.

Just my opinion.

I wouldn't trust longlife oil vw or other wise. No oil will last an indeterminate amount of time. In fact audis on longlife service intervals have proven to cause aggressive cam wear on older tdi engines.

 

I would never suggest actually following the variable service intervals, but the longlife oil is better and cleaner. There is no valid reason not to use it. I still do oil changes more often than necessary.

Edited 15 November, 201312 yr by demonufo

I use long life in mine but change it every year regardless of mileage. I'm a bit sceptical about oil being effective for 20k miles. My vag mechanic told me a while back the long life is better for my engine as the normal stuff cokes these engines and can cause oil pump failures. I'm not sure how true that is but mine has had a pump failure before I switched oils. A bit off topic though!

Even if i used longlife oil i would still change it every 5000miles anyway. According to my service book and options codes my car is on extended service intervals, can this be changed?

Just to throw the spanner into the works here I'm running a Mobil oil spec unknown to me just a 5/40 that we use on the ferraris and maseratis we work on at my garage .....

Octy seems okay and I'm jus thinking from a mechanical and consumer aspect (seeing that I'm a technician and a consumer) a lot of the 5/40 and 5/30 oils are non manufacture specific in supermarkets as they aren't approved by the car manufacturers or recommended as they can't make revenue from them..... 5k between oil changes and its only half a litre..... I'm pretty sure you are gonna be ok..... Only my opinion but I wouldn't sweat it

If you dont use vcds to reset your service ind then it will be on fixed. Vcds is needed for variable service. Iirc you can put in what miles you want.

Mine was on variable and when I did the pick up pipe at 101k it was all pritty clean. My fabia is fixed servuce tho and I use the 5w40 oil as its cheaper and change it between 6 and 9k. Depending on weather and how the car is feeling. I also find tho that the car runs better on the 5w30 longlife oil and I could get up to 10-12k out of it and it still feel good to drive. Also no white puffs on startup with it and better mpg slightly. Couldnt justify the extra cost at the time tho for the oil but ill be going to it on the next visit to tps. Ill prob get 2 20l cans seen as ill have a garage to put them in soon.

The wife hates car stuff in the house where we are now lol

5w30 quantum longlife III is still cheaper than named stuff and iirc its castrol ne way.