I have a 2012 Tsi 1.2 (105bhp) Monte Carlo.

 

The oil light came on and I confirmed it was low. I believe it needs 5w40 oil and fully synthetic is recommended - correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I had some 10w40 oil from about 10 years ago, wilko brand . I don't think it's fully synthetic.

 

I topped it up and i think it's helped.

 

My questions are

 

1) was this ok to do?

 

2) i wanted to drain all of it out as soon as possible and put the most suitable oil in i can. I was looking at castrol edge or an alternative that gives a performance boost. What is recommended?

 

3) I'm also wanting to do my own service - change oil filter, possibly fuel filter (if needed and easy enough to do?), cabin filter and air filter (preferably wanting to get a compatible washable performance filter so it lasts longer). If anyone can recommend me products that are defibrillator compatible is really really appreciate it as I've not got any experience in  correct product selection.

 

4) any other good advice anyone has, I'm all ears and teachable 👍

IIRC, semi-synthetic is compatible with fully-synthetic for top ups, although like for like is best.

There was once (very long ago) a strong recommendation to never mix mineral with synthetic - but not sure if that applies now.

 

A quick Google search will tell you the correct oil spec. and viscosity for your engine.

With regards to oil brand, provided the oil complies with specification and is from a reliable refiner, I'm not really convinced that the actual brand is that important.

You will find a huge difference in prices between brands for what is effectively the same product.  

Edited 29 June, 20241 yr by Warrior193
added information

It seems that there are several variations of viscosity for the 1.2 TSI - use your engine code (3 or 4 letters in front of engine number on your V5) to find the correct one.

I would not recommend replacing your engine air filter with a washable one - just use the recommended type to replace. 

@Warrior193 can i ask why you don't recommend using a washable filter please?

 

Also, i haven't got my manual on me at the moment and I'm out. Can i find the engine code written on the car somewhere?

Edited 29 June, 20241 yr by Steveyg777

The correct oil for fixed or variable service intervals is to VW504 00 / 507 00.  So 5w 30 FS III.  Or 0w 30 FS III.   For fixed regime oil and filter changed ,VW502 00 which is 5w 40 full synthetic. 

 

Castrol was the VW / SKoda Recommendation, and dealers used Quantum, and now maybe Quantum from Fuchs Oil.

No Performance boost, even if MOBILE 1 for your 1.2 TSI.

Try E5 97 or 99 Ron Minimum petrol & see if any Performance boost over E10 95 ron Minimum.

Edited 29 June, 20241 yr by Ootohere

I would give the Washable Performance Filter a miss and get in a Nice Clean Fresh new Disposable filter.

?

Do you know when the spark plugs were last changed?

?

Do you even know if the previous owner / owners had ir remapped?

Edited 29 June, 20241 yr by Ootohere

 I had the spark plugs changed a couple of years ago with long lasting ones, i think they can do 40,000 miles or something like that. I'm not aware of it being remapped. 

37 minutes ago, Steveyg777 said:

@Warrior193 can i ask why you don't recommend using a washable filter please?

 

Also, i haven't got my manual on me at the moment and I'm out. Can i find the engine code written on the car somewhere?

Because they are likely to pass more dust/dirt into the engine than a disposable one unless scrupulously maintained - this is the reason you usually get more induction noise from the washable type.

The engine code may also be on the B pillar weight plate. 

Edited 29 June, 20241 yr by Warrior193
added information

77 kW 1.2 TSI CBZB    & the Oil Capacity changes as does the Filter Type by 2012.

 

See the threads on the Oil Filters.  a good one by @xman

It's a petrol turbo engine so oil is much less critical than with a diesel turbo, topping up with any oil is better than allowing the level to drop too low so you've done no harm and there's no need to take any further action.

 

Simply change the oil and filter at the next service as normal.

@sepulchrave thanks. I couldn't afford a service this year when it usually gets done in March. But I've got some money now so i wanted to try and do it myself to try and save money too. Especially if it's not that hard to do i don't see in throwing money at someone else to do for me. It's it something i could do myself easily enough?
 

So actually the filters may need replacing now anyway. Not sure what the life span of the different filters is to be honest? Should they all be replaced every 12 months? I only do about 6000 miles a year and I'm only on 60000 miles total.

No need to worry about age with synthetic oils, with your usage changing oil and filter every couple of years is just fine.

With a 1.2 TSI with a so low annual miles i would be changing the Oil & Filter annually , at 9,400 miles or less.

It is more about the length of cold start journeys though and is the engine getting up to heat on the trips.

That would be using the VW502 00, Fully Synthetic and not the Long Life VW504 00 oil. 

 

The Air Filter needs replacing when you think it is dirty.

The Pollen Filter as well, and with a vacuuming, cleaning / washing / sanitising of the area. 

5 hours ago, Ootohere said:

15 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

With a 1.2 TSI with a so low annual miles i would be changing the Oil & Filter annually , at 9,400 miles or less.

It is more about the length of cold start journeys though and is the engine getting up to heat on the trips.

That would be using the VW502 00, Fully Synthetic and not the Long Life VW504 00 oil. 

 

The Air Filter needs replacing when you think it is dirty.

The Pollen Filter as well, and with a vacuuming, cleaning / washing / sanitising of the area. 

@Ootohere are you saying that i can use vw502 or vw504? And what is the purpose of the long life oil? Is it for people who have to do a lot more miles?
 

My travel to work is 7.5 miles so it is warm in the cold months before i get there. But i don't allow my engine to warm up before driving. Would i be better to get 0w40 instead of 5w40?
 

I'm Still trying to understand oil consistencies 

The Long Life Oil, VW504 00 / 507 00 is the 5w 30 FS III or 0w 30 FS III & yes the Service Interval is 24 months , 18,000-20,000 Miles.

 

There was the change of Service / OIl Service code in 2010 i think, before that the 1.2 TSI was Fixed Oil & Filter service regime.

VW had changed that in the Polo earlier to suitable for Long Life Servicing,  Variable / Flexible.

 

It is not about the price of oil being different, long life or not.

Changing the oil annually is under £30 for the Oil & Filter & if the car is a Keeper then IMO worth changing. 

Edited 30 June, 20241 yr by Ootohere

On 29/06/2024 at 14:03, Ootohere said:

The correct oil for fixed or variable service intervals is to VW504 00 / 507 00.  So 5w 30 FS III.  Or 0w 30 FS III.   For fixed regime oil and filter changed ,VW502 00 which is 5w 40 full synthetic. 

 

Castrol was the VW / SKoda Recommendation, and dealers used Quantum, and now maybe Quantum from Fuchs Oil.

No Performance boost, even if MOBILE 1 for your 1.2 TSI.

Try E5 97 or 99 Ron Minimum petrol & see if any Performance boost over E10 95 ron Minimum.

I seem to have a lack of knowledge of regimes. What is meant by fixed, variable regimes? And what is meant by your first paragraph in terms of regimes?

A Fixed Service Interval or Regime.

Oil & Filter changed at 9,400 miles / 372 days or sooner if you want.  Use the Long Life oil if you want but still do the Annual oil changes. 

 

Variable / Flexible Oil & Filter Service has Long Life Oil only used. 

18,000 - 20,000 miles / 24 months  or sooner if you want. 

 

This is what the Fixed Service Regime recommendations are. 

Edited 30 June, 20241 yr by Ootohere