Author Topic: 2009 TDI oil question (Read 5329 times)

fdnyguy · « **on:** April 05, 2009, 10:50:41 am »

I have read numerous threads on having to use a certain oil in the new 2009 TDI 2.0.

I have just turned 4,000 miles and it will not go to the dealer for another 6,000 miles.

I have not burned any oil, which I was shocked to see, but was thinking to get a quart or 2 down the road.

I went to the VW dealer near my home, and was sold a quart of Mobil 1 5W-30 oil. And at $12.00 no less.

I was under the assumption (yes, I know what happens when assuming) that Mobil 1 did not meet VW oil standards. Please correct me if wrong.

I called another dealer and the service manager said;" If anything happens to the engine, how will be able to tell what brand of oil was used?"

One thing I have noticed here, is to never trust the dealer.

So, experts on this website, should I return the Mobil 1, or can I use it to top off my oil?

As usual, your advice is greatly appreciated.

Stay safe, stay well. Jimmy.

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2009, 11:28:51 am »

the new TDI's won't be as critical as the PD's in terms of oil use, because of the design. the PD's require an oil that can protect the cam from thrashing by the injectors.

as long as the oil has good soot contol it should be okay. using a thin oil like 5w30 will give you better mileage, but i would assume that it might give more wear and tear in the short term, but maybe the engines were designed with this in mind?

regardless though, i would only run an oil like Total (formerly Elf) in a new TDI.

fdnyguy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2009, 11:31:41 am »

Quote from: "jtanguay"

the new TDI's won't be as critical as the PD's in terms of oil use, because of the design. the PD's require an oil that can protect the cam from thrashing by the injectors.

as long as the oil has good soot contol it should be okay. using a thin oil like 5w30 will give you better mileage, but i would assume that it might give more wear and tear in the short term, but maybe the engines were designed with this in mind?

regardless though, i would only run an oil like Total (formerly Elf) in a new TDI.

Anyone you know carry this brand?

Wanna guess as to why a dealer would sell non compatible oil? lolol

Thanks for the heads up.

jtanguay · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2009, 12:42:47 pm »

Quote from: "fdnyguy"

Quote from: "jtanguay"
the new TDI's won't be as critical as the PD's in terms of oil use, because of the design. the PD's require an oil that can protect the cam from thrashing by the injectors.

as long as the oil has good soot contol it should be okay. using a thin oil like 5w30 will give you better mileage, but i would assume that it might give more wear and tear in the short term, but maybe the engines were designed with this in mind?

regardless though, i would only run an oil like Total (formerly Elf) in a new TDI.

Anyone you know carry this brand?

Wanna guess as to why a dealer would sell non compatible oil? lolol

Thanks for the heads up.

as long as the oil is designated CF (or has that changed?) the C stands for compression ignition, and means it will contol the soot. i'm a bit skeptical of multipurpose oils that work on gasser & diesels though, but i've used mobil 1 5w50 before and it worked great.

i'm guessing that mobil 1 probably gives them a really good deal on the oil too... theres suppliers here in Ontario Canada that sell Total oils. there must be suppliers in the US as well.

subsonic · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2009, 01:38:41 pm »

For the 2009 you need to use oil that specifically states that it meets vw 507.00 spec. It has to do with the low ash content and the $3000 exhaust system. Running oil other than 507 spec should only be done in an emergency. I know castrol makes a 507 spec oil. I have seen posts from 2009 owners on onother forum where the dealer told them the oil they used for the oil change met 507 spec but just didnt say that on the bottle, thats BS. Unless the oil says 507.00 spec it isn't.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2009, 02:22:24 pm »

Mobil makes many many different kinds of oils... lots of which are 5W-30.

Best way to know if that specific bottle is the right one is to read your owner's manual and then the label.

fdnyguy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2009, 03:23:37 pm »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Mobil makes many many different kinds of oils... lots of which are 5W-30.

Best way to know if that specific bottle is the right one is to read your owner's manual and then the label.

As usual, thanks to all for the replies.

I'll stand corrected with you, Vince. I was more concerned with the numerical standard than the CG/CH, etc etc. when I read my manual.

Worse comes to worse, I'll return the quart and get my money back.

Funny thing was, the parts guy tells me they only have the diesel oil in service in '500 gallon' size (obviously for the whole serice dept).

Then comes out with the Mobil 1.

Again, thanks to all.

Stay safe, stay well, and have a happy 2009 with all of your diesels.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2009, 03:27:34 pm »

Dunno about "corrected"... 'cause what the hell do I know... except that I hate it when car companies invalidate their warranty over oil issues... even if they're the ones that told you it was safe in the first place. :wink:

subsonic · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2009, 03:32:12 pm »

When you go in for you oil change, make sure they don't put 5 qts. in! Tell them to just use 4 and give you the 5th for you to top it off with.

jtanguay · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2009, 04:15:14 pm »

Quote from: "subsonic"

For the 2009 you need to use oil that specifically states that it meets vw 507.00 spec. It has to do with the low ash content and the $3000 exhaust system. Running oil other than 507 spec should only be done in an emergency. I know castrol makes a 507 spec oil. I have seen posts from 2009 owners on onother forum where the dealer told them the oil they used for the oil change met 507 spec but just didnt say that on the bottle, thats BS. Unless the oil says 507.00 spec it isn't.

the 507.00 spec is pretty costly to attain, and so many oil companies do not opt to have theirs tested. some of those companies meet or exceed vw's 507... one such exampe is Amsoil diesel oils.

i still think vw's should be sold with a bypass filter to remove most of the soot out of the oil.

by reading through this comparison of motor oils, i would choose amsoil over mobil 1.

but then again i would choose Total as it is such a good oil.

subsonic · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2009, 04:48:11 pm »

From what I have been reading, the 507 spec does not have so much to do with oil lubrication like the PD and cam failures, but how it interacts with the egr and the exhaust system. Something about low ash content.

CoolAirVw · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2009, 08:05:43 pm »

Dont put that in your engine. Well I guess a top-off wont hurt.

Use only VW authorized oil, that you can document with sales receipts. Dont go to the dealer and assume they put in the right stuff.

If you ever have a warranty issue with engine or emissions they will want documentation of oil type.

You should start documenting now and keep it forever. It'll help resale as well.

To prevent idiots from putting in the wrong oil it's sometimes best to do it yourself. Save the receipt for the oil as documentation, and write the mileage on it.

Here is the final say on oil type.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=158788

jtanguay · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2009, 10:05:27 pm »

in that thread he said that an injector injects on the exhaust stroke to heat up the particulate filter for regeneration? i thought it was a seperate injector closest to the particulate filter... hmmm fuel dilution is bad...

and 507.0 was created before the CR engines without the particulate filter and complex exhaust cleaning devices. it was designed to be give better mileage and be compatible with the PD engines. i'm still not really convinced that there is much of a difference. i'll still say that European oils are wayyy better though :wink:

fdnyguy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2009, 12:26:50 pm »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Dunno about "corrected"... 'cause what the hell do I know... except that I hate it when car companies invalidate their warranty over oil issues... even if they're the ones that told you it was safe in the first place. :wink:

No biggie about being 'corrected'. The knowledge generated from people on this site still spins my head.

The Mobil 1 oil has on the label CJ4 CI4 plus CI4/CH4 ACEA E7 E5.

So the CI meets compression ignition, this should suffice, I take it?

As usual, thank you in advance.

Stay safe, stay well.

jtanguay · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:27:34 pm »

Quote from: "fdnyguy"

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"
Dunno about "corrected"... 'cause what the hell do I know... except that I hate it when car companies invalidate their warranty over oil issues... even if they're the ones that told you it was safe in the first place. :wink:

No biggie about being 'corrected'. The knowledge generated from people on this site still spins my head.

The Mobil 1 oil has on the label CJ4 CI4 plus CI4/CH4 ACEA E7 E5.

So the CI meets compression ignition, this should suffice, I take it?

As usual, thank you in advance.

Stay safe, stay well.

i doubt running that oil will hurt it using it once. its not like the PD's where the oil was so critical or your camshaft is scrap. just be sure to track down some Total oil or Liqui Moly for next time. the benefit of those oils is extended drains which saves you money. :wink: