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VW Jetta Basic Maintenance Questions (Oil changes, fluids, etc.)

182 messages,  Last post on Dec 17, 2011 at 1:03 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Jetta Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Oil, Diesel, Sedan

Messages Page 19 of 19

#173 of 182 Re: Oil Change Interval for '97 Jetta [jiminseattle] by fho2008

Nov 21, 2011 (8:53 am)

Replying to: jiminseattle (Nov 20, 2011 5:51 pm)
Should be a sticker somewhere in the engine compartment that states the engine size, and after 14 years, yes it will be dirty. I would guess 1.8, but why not use the VIN # and Haynes manual to be sure?

#174 of 182 Re: Oil Change Interval for '97 Jetta [jiminseattle] by bpeebles

Nov 25, 2011 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: jiminseattle (Nov 20, 2011 5:51 pm)
Your 1997 Jetta should be fine with dino oil changed every 7500 miles.
 
The specification for synthetic oil came about with the early VR6 and turbocharged engines. (I assume your Jetta has neither of these engines.)
 
As past appenders have suggested, you can enter your VIN into a website which would decode your engine displacement. (or reference the emissions-sticker mandated by the federal government under the hood .)

#175 of 182 Re: Oil Change Interval for '97 Jetta [bpeebles] by seattlejim3

Nov 25, 2011 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (Nov 25, 2011 4:55 pm)
Thank you. Very helpful.
 
Jim

#176 of 182 Re: Oil Change Interval for '97 Jetta [fho2008] by seattlejim3

Nov 25, 2011 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: fho2008 (Nov 21, 2011 8:53 am)
Thank you. I'll check when the sun comes up tomorrow.
 
Jim

#177 of 182 Does my 2002 really need synthetic oil? by nev827

Dec 11, 2011 (5:47 pm)

I took my 2002 Jetta to a car maintenance chain (whose name I will withhold) the other day and was told "word came down from the top" that all VW and Audi models from 1997-2012 now require synthetic oil, instead of the regular oil I've been using for the past 9 years. I was charged $85 for this service. Does my car really need synthetic oil or did they rip me off?

#178 of 182 Re: Does my 2002 really need synthetic oil? [nev827] by bpeebles

Dec 12, 2011 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: nev827 (Dec 11, 2011 5:47 pm)
They are partially correct. There was a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) several years ago which told the VW dealers to use only synthetic oil in the following engines
 
*) All turbocharged engines ((includes diesel engine)
*) The VR6 engine
 
The ONLY VW engine which does not require synthetic oil is the basic 2.0L inline 4 cylinder.
 
To answer your other question - $85 for even a synthetic oil change is a ripoff.
 
I can purchase the very best oil and filter available on the market for $40....hence $45 labor for a 15-minute oil change seems steep to me. (plus I am certain they dont use the very best oil/filter)
 
Most folks I know do not trust those quicky oil-change places. I can tell you at least 5 stories where such places have left parts off, stripped screws or just generally messed things up.
 
Case in point - They are only now getting the word to use synthetic oil in VW/Audi engines?!?!

#179 of 182 Re: Does my 2002 really need synthetic oil? [bpeebles] by nev827

Dec 12, 2011 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (Dec 12, 2011 4:23 pm)
Thanks bpeebles. I confirmed with the VW dealership where I've taken my car for the past 9 years that it does require synthetic oil and has since 2004. The dealership also said they charge less for than I was charged, so I won't be going back to said retail chain.

#180 of 182 Synthetic Oil by creece89

Dec 13, 2011 (8:54 am)

In February 2011, I bought a 2003 VW Jetta w/ a Turbocharged engine. I have reguarly changed the oil and have used synthetic oil. In July, I had to have the engine completely reworked at some mom-&-pop auto shop and the mechanic put regular oil in it and said it would be fine as long as I didn't do it regularly. The car broke down again with the same problem in October and I took it back to the guy as it was covered under warranty. Apparently he didn't remember what I'd told him about the synthetic oil because he used regular oil again. Two weeks ago, when I got the car back, oil levels were normal. Now my oil is very low and my red check oil light is flashing and beeping on the dash. I will not be able to get an oil change to replace it with synthetic until Friday, so my question is this: Can I just add more regular oil to keep it running til Friday? Also, does the fact that he used regular oil twice in a row have anything to do with the fact that it's now running dry? There are no visible oil leaks and no oil is burning from what I can see.

#181 of 182 Re: Synthetic Oil [creece89] by bpeebles

Dec 13, 2011 (9:31 am)

Replying to: creece89 (Dec 13, 2011 8:54 am)
You may safely add SYNTHETIC oil to your crankcase. It is OK to mix with dead-dinosaur oil.
 
HOWEVER: you have bigger problems. You need to figure out why your engine is consuming oil. Notice I did NOT say "burning" oil.... because at this point, we have no clue if the oil is being burnt or simply leaking.
 
To answer your other question: NO, the use of dyno-oil in your engine a couple times will have no measurable affect on it.
 
The technical reason your turbocharged engine should run synthetic oil is to protect the bearings in the turbocharger from heat-soak. Heat-soak will cook the stagnated oil in the bearing leaving behind abrasive soot (aka coke). This ONLY can happen if you shut off your engine without idling for a minute or so to allow the turbocharger to cool off.
 
Synthetic oil is highly resistant to getting cooked due to heat-soak. Since you own a turbocharged engine, I am sure you are aware of the 'special' needs of a turbocharger. With this knowledge, many folks run dino-oil for the life of their engine with no ill ffects.
 

#182 of 182 Smog Check California Diesel 2010 TDI by ggeeoo

Dec 17, 2011 (1:03 pm)

I took my car to a Smog Check station (Jetta TDI 2010 Sportswagon Diesel) The owner and friend showed me a notice that it was not required. The DMV thinks otherwise as they have sent me a notice to the contrary. I looked up the answer my friend was wrong . The Smog station must make a visual inspection under the hood and certify no black smoke from exhaust
pipe. The operator of the Smog station does not hook the car up to the Dynometer however.
This law went into effect on 1/1/2010.

Messages Page 19 of 19

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