Just been down to my local dealer (Allams of Epsom) to buy a litre of top-up oil for my PD100 Fabia. It doesn't actually need topping up yet, but I thought I should have some in reserve. I was sold a bottle of Shell Helix Ultra VX, in a posh little zipped pouch with gloves and wipes and stuff, which is 507.00/504.00. I questioned that it didn't specify 505.01 but the parts guy insisted that it was the only oil that should be used in Skodas and that is what they use when they service all Skodas.

I get home and double check the manual, lo and behold, 507.00 is NOT recommended for fixed service PD engines, ONLY 505.01 should be used.

Now, not only do I have to take the top-up oil back, handbook in hand, to show them the error of their ways, but also need to establish what oil they put in the car when it was serviced. (I bought the car at 1 year old and 7000 miles, they completed the first annual service it before I took it over.)

I don't drive the car hard and oil consumption has been negligible since I've owned it (about 6000 miles now) so I wouldn't imagine any harm has been done to the engine even if the wrong spec. oil has been used but it is very frustrating when even the authorised dealers don't seem to know (or care!) what type of oil they put in these engines.

I'll update the post when I've "discussed" the matter with them!

just wandered out to the car to retrieve oil. I also was sold a bottle of Ultra VX by my dealers, on the back label at the top it states

ACEA A3/B4/C3, API SM

for use when handbook calls for:

VW 507 00, 506 01, 506 00, 505 01,

505 00, 504 00, 503 01, 503 00 or 502 00

I think we're safe, But keep the receipt just in case

As similar thing happend to me.

I popped into Saunders Abbott in Croydon for some top-oil. The parts department tried to sell me the Shell Helix Ultra VX so, aware of the 505.01 requirement I politely declined. However, Saunders Abbott of Bexhill who serviced my vRS were extremely knowledgeable about the oil requirements and used Shell Helix 505.01 spec.

I think it comes down to local knowledge of the models rather than any kind of sales patter (I hope)

For top up you are allowed to use one litre of any motor oil.

I had mine serviced not long ago and they (Motorline - Canterbury) put a full 1l of Castrol in the boot to use, next to the can of shell oil.

I dont own a fabia but a golf on longlife service.

The oil for my pd is 507.00 or 506.01 as I done the oil yesterday.

505.01 in my handbook is for the fixed service or 10K/1 yr.

507.00 is not "wrong" per se,it's just a specification developed several years after 505.01.It's developed for engines complying with Euro IV emission limits AND flexible servicing intervals AND diesel particulate filters.

No harm will come to the engine by putting this oil in.

Just the wallet.OUCH!

505.01 in my handbook is for the fixed service or 10K/1 yr.

Which is all you can have on the Fabia.

507.00 is not "wrong" per se,it's just a specification developed several years after 505.01.It's developed for engines complying with Euro IV emission limits AND flexible servicing intervals AND diesel particulate filters.

No harm will come to the engine by putting this oil in.

Just the wallet.OUCH!

Yes, this is my conclusion too after delving a bit further into the murky world of VW oil specs. The official word from SUK is that 507.00 is approved across the range, including all PD engines. This is bourne out on Shell's website; only V10 and some pre 2000 diesels are excepted. It's a newer specification that EXCEEDS 505.01 rather than being different to it and looks as though it will ultimately supercede it. It isn't NEEDED in a Fabia with fixed service intervals but, presumably the higher price means more profit for the dealers so they're pushing it.

The RB5 engine found in the Touareg and T5 van cant use SLX 3 and above (506.01) as the oil doesn't stand upto the temps due to pressure well enough to lubricate the valve train, so it proves just because its a higher spec means its going to be suitable, allways worth checking.

I have only had my Fabia estate for about a month after reading the posts

I am frightened to ask how much 1L of engine oil costs. What happened to good old Duckhams 20/50 )

About a tenner for a litre. Dingbro do 5l for