15 messages,
Last post on Oct 16, 2003 at 6:06 PM
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Volkswagen Jetta
Aug 12, 2003 (3:38 pm)
Hey! That's why I don't do that stuff anymore. One look under the hood made me decide that it was work best left for the professional vw technician. They've got the training, proper tools and diagnostic equipment, and day-to-day experience working on vws. Unless you're on an absolute tight budget, have the pros do it next time.
#7 of 15 so many cars drool oil nowadays during changing
by swschrad
Aug 12, 2003 (4:33 pm)
they all need to be wiped down and sprayed clean. they have budgeted a fifth of a can of brake cleaner and rags at my dealer's to get the oil slobber off front end components on explorers.
Aug 21, 2003 (12:14 pm)
I have a VW Mechanic who has been servicing my Golf for over 10 years now and he recommends using a heavier weight oil (than the 5w series)
due to the fact that the engines are designed to run on the hot side, and any light weight oil will quickly assume the viscosity (thickness) of water.
Here are the guidelines that I use (based on my 20+ years of driving water-cooled VWs):
Fall/Winter - if where you live has a cold winter, but the temperatures do not go below (a constant) 25 degrees F., use either 10w30 or 10w40. Below 25 degrees, use the 5w series oil.
Spring/Summer - use 15w and above (i.e.: 15w40 or 20w50). If you use an oil any lighter than 15w, at best you will consume more oil - at worst, you will see a drop in oil pressure and the oil pressure indicator will come on (even if your oil level is full).
Hope this helps.
Best regards and happy motoring!
#9 of 15 Oil Changes, part II
by 600kgolfgt
Aug 21, 2003 (12:17 pm)
If you take your car to the dealer for service, make sure you ask them what type of oil (regular or synthetic) and what weight of oil (5w, 10w30, 10w40, 15w40, 20w50, etc.) they are using.
#10 of 15 This is EXACTLY why...
by isellhondas
Aug 22, 2003 (7:45 am)
I quit changing my own oil years ago.
It's just not worth the hassle and mess involved!
#11 of 15 re:changing oil
by vidtech
Aug 23, 2003 (6:55 am)
atleast when you do it yourself you know it was done correctly with the right materials.some of these guys working at oil change places do not care about doing their job and take out their frustrations out on your car.
Sep 09, 2003 (7:56 am)
I have a 02 Passat, with 16700 miles on it. I had the first synthetic oil change at 11500 miles, and used Mobil 1 5W40, per the book. Prior oil changes were blends. However, I am unable to find 5W40 now. Instead, the 0W40 is now being run as the "European Car" oil on the lable of the Mobil 1 0W40. I life in South Dakota. Is it OK to use this oil? Which other 5W40 synthetic oil can I use?
#13 of 15 Probably Yes
by tboner
Sep 09, 2003 (9:26 am)
Check the the Mobil 1 0W40 meets any API or ACEA (the European version of API) specs required by your car. BTW and ACEA A3/B3 oil is a pretty good oil, FWIW.
Other choices, run by your local truckstop or Wal*Mart and look for Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5W40, again checking for any API or ACEA ratings mandated by your carmaker.
Ditto for the Mobil "Commercial" synthetic 5W40 (Delvac, IIRC)
HTH,
TB
Oct 16, 2003 (6:06 pm)
Please turn your caps lock OFF, balticjetta...it's too hard for people to read and it appears like you are "shouting".
thank you
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