Volkswagen Passat Oil Changes & Issues

2000 Passat - V6 - 2.8L - GLX - 83000 miles
 
First time DIY'er, I was tired of the 1.5hr wait and $40+ charge at jiffy lube (not to mention the $40 air filter they keep trying to sell me).
 
Well, I read up on some how to articles here at edmunds and read the manual then droped $80 on tools and supplies. It was not hard to do. I spilled some oil but I'll do alot better next time. I had the DIY aurora going on all day.
 
Problem is that after I put in the oil I reread the manual and it says to use 5w-30 where yesterday it said 10w-40
I put in 4 qts and got the big filter so I think I'm about 3 qts short. I figure I'll drive it to the shop (3 miles) and add 5w-30.
 
Questions-
 
1- How many qts does this engine take with the big filter?
 
2- I live in Miami where the "coolest" it gets at night is about 80 deg. During the day it's about 90. It cools off a little more in Dec and Jan though. Is it ok to have 10w-40 in the engine?
 
3- is it ok to mix the viscosities like I'm planning?

Replies to this message:
• shipo (Sep 25, 2006 6:32 am)
  • miamivw (Oct 02, 2006 7:42 am)
    • shipo (Oct 02, 2006 9:36 am)

Replying to: miamivw (Sep 25, 2006 6:19 am)

Replies to this message:
• miamivw (Oct 02, 2006 7:42 am)
  • shipo (Oct 02, 2006 9:36 am)

Replying to: altair4 (Sep 25, 2006 6:09 am)

Replies to this message:
• shipo (Sep 26, 2006 4:07 am)
  • 600kgolfgt (Sep 27, 2006 7:46 am)
    • altair4 (Sep 27, 2006 8:31 am)
  • 600kgolfgt (Sep 28, 2006 6:09 am)
    • shipo (Sep 28, 2006 6:41 am) and 5 more...

Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Sep 26, 2006 3:36 am)

Replies to this message:
• 600kgolfgt (Sep 27, 2006 7:46 am)
  • altair4 (Sep 27, 2006 8:31 am)
• 600kgolfgt (Sep 28, 2006 6:09 am)
  • shipo (Sep 28, 2006 6:41 am)
    • pat (Sep 28, 2006 12:56 pm) and 2 more...
    • krzyss (Sep 29, 2006 5:23 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: shipo (Sep 26, 2006 4:07 am)

Replies to this message:
• altair4 (Sep 27, 2006 8:31 am)

Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Sep 27, 2006 7:46 am)

Replies to this message:
• 600kgolfgt (Sep 28, 2006 5:21 am)
  • altair4 (Sep 28, 2006 8:52 am)

Replying to: jkohler (Sep 28, 2006 3:34 am)

>Any recommendation as to which brand and model number oil filter I should use?
 
This is another area (besides the motor oil) where you should not take the cheap route. Using the VW factory (MANN) oil filters (the type your dealership uses) is highly recommended. The difference between the MANN filters and the majority of aftermarket filters (with a couple of exceptions) is night and day.
 
For example, the MANN filters incorporate an internal anti-drainback valve (prevents dirty motor oil from flowing back into the engine when you turn off the motor) and bypass
valve (which aids in regulating the engine's oil pressure) - both consist of a spring-loaded steel ball bearing design.
 
The aftermarket filters tend to use rubber bypass valves and anti-drainback valves, and tend to be of a cheaper construction overall.
 
Here's a link to one of many interesting oil filter comparisons: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
Select the "German Filters" link at the top of the page for the German oil filter comparisons.
 
Here's another interesting link about motor oils and filters:
http://www.boss302.com/oil.htm
 
MANN oil filters are the only filters I will use on my three VWs. I learned my lesson after years of using the aftermarket stuff on other cars. Case in point - when I purchased my 1997 Jetta (as a commuter car) three years ago, I used the aftermarket filters for the first couple of months, and found myself periodically topping off the oil level. Once I switched to the MANN filters, the engine hasn't consumed a drop of oil since - and still doesn't - even at 190,000 miles.
 
Using the right oil and filter will go a long way towards enhancing the longevity of your auto.
 
HTH, and best of luck...

Replies to this message:
• altair4 (Sep 28, 2006 8:52 am)

Replying to: shipo (Sep 26, 2006 4:07 am)

Replies to this message:
• shipo (Sep 28, 2006 6:41 am)
  • pat (Sep 28, 2006 12:56 pm)
    • 600kgolfgt (Sep 29, 2006 11:43 am) and 1 more...
  • krzyss (Sep 29, 2006 5:23 am)
    • shipo (Sep 29, 2006 5:38 am)

Replying to: 600kgolfgt (Sep 28, 2006 6:09 am)

Thanks for the link.
 
As per usual Patrick Bedard is a day late and a dollar short in his reporting. The vast majority of the factoids as he's written them are both widely known (in automotive circles anyway) and nearly ten years old. Castrol, contrary to his article, does in fact use a full PAO base on one (and only one) oil sold here in the U.S.A, namely German made Castrol Syntec 0W-30. Mobil, Amsoil and others make complete lines of fully synthetic oils using a PAO base.
 
Where I personally draw the line is the gap between a manufacturer "claiming" that an oil meets any given standard and oils that are "certified" to meet those standards. For my money I like oils that are certified to meet the BMW LL-01 and VW/Audi 503.01 standards. Period, full stop, the end. To the best of my knowledge, the only two oils sold here in the States that are certified to meet those specifications are the German made Castrol Syntec 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0W-40. With that thought in mind, those are the only oils I ever recommend (except when I'm talking with somebody who has a DaimlerChrysler MDS Hemi which requires a 5W-20 or 0W-20 for the MDS to work properly), and the only oil I use in the half a dozen cars I maintain is Mobil 1 0W-40.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

Replies to this message:
• pat (Sep 28, 2006 12:56 pm)
  • 600kgolfgt (Sep 29, 2006 11:43 am)
    • wai (Oct 03, 2006 5:34 am)
• krzyss (Sep 29, 2006 5:23 am)
  • shipo (Sep 29, 2006 5:38 am)