VW wants us to spend big bucks on synthetic motor oil.

Fine idea for a gas engine - DUMB idea for a diesel whose oil change intervals SHOULD be kept SHORT.

The quality of oil is important but remember that in a diesel, it gets cloged with soot. Does not matter if the oil is synthetic oil or olive oil!

Some garage will not change the oil - for fear of lawsuit - with anything else then the VW recommend oil... and I cannot find a filter for less that 25$!

Any comments?

Any supplier of oil filters?

How about converting the oil filter insert to a conventionnal spin on filter?

 

Hey Francis4344,

I, too, don't like dropping almost 6 bucks per quart of designer synthetic oil for my TDI. The only reason I'm towing the line is a buddy who knows cars strongly advised me to use the high-end oil because the turbo-diesel runs so hot. Something about regular motor oil breaking down.

I don't know the chemistry behind it so I'm being safe. Is it bunk? Anyone ever see engine problems arise in a TDI due to the oil?

By the way, I think my filters are about $10, but mine's a 2001. I'll get the brand for you if you're curious.

Cheers!

 

Well, plenty of cars have hot turbos and their manufacturer's don't ask for synthetic oil (Again, I would use synthethic in a gas engine because the oil stays clean much longer).

For example, synthetic is not required on a VW Turbo-Diesel 1993. Turbos have not really changed since.

As for running hot, you must live in balmy Florida or you would'nt say something like that! Trust me, that car does NOT get hot!

As for the filters, my 2004 TDI used a regular spin-on I can get from Fram at a resonable price. But the 2006 is a housing with a cartdrige inside at 26$ a pop. Go figure.

By the way, I have discussed this with a tech guy from Safety-Kleen which produces motor oil for many companies and He fully agrees with me.

He also pointed out that 10w30 is indeed the best overall weight oil. Their tests showed no significant advantages to using a heavier oil in diesel engine such as 15w40. Safety Kleen in Canada supplies Walmart. Cheapest source of motor and hydraulic oil around!