Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts?

786 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by DTECH1.8T, Feb 14, 2002

DTECH1.8T

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2002

I'm having a really hard time finding the 5W40 in my area (been to 3 or 4 different places), so I decided that I would go ahead and get some Castrol Syntec 10W40 since it's one of the few companies that make a 40 weight synthetic. BTW...Castrol was purchased by BP Amoco in 2000 so the issue regarding the "Full Synthetic" controversy seems to be a non-issue anymore. The case I bought was produced just over a month ago and it is labelled as "Full Synthetic" and has "Improved Formula" information on the back. I had always been a big fan of Castrol prior to their dispute with Mobile (who they originally got their base stocks from), and now that BP Amoco is holding the reigns (they are a large producer of their own), I'm comfortable going back to them since their quality standards and products have always been top notch. I use Amoco fuel almost exclusively with the occasional fill-up at a Chevron.
I use Mobile 1 as well, but I haven't seen or heard anything about their "new" 0W-40. I'm reluctant to use such a thin initial film anyway, especially down here in South Florida.
BTW...I know our manuals may say that you can use 5W30 but keep in mind that a lot of 5W30s DO NOT pass the stricter ACEA 2 or 3 and/or VW specifications required in the owners manual. The new Castrol Syntec does with the 10W40.
So what are everyone's thoughts on using the 10W40?

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dbrowne1

· #2 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (DTECH1.8T)

Well, it's probably not a BAD choice, but 0W-30 or 5W-30 is probably better. As far as the Syntec "synthetic" controversy, it has been "settled" in the sense that an industry arbitration body determined that they may continue to call it synthetic because of the ambiguity of the term. There is still a difference between Group III/Hydroisomerised basestock and PAO/Group IV basestock that Mobil 1, Valvoline Synpower, and Amsoil use. The main difference that concerns me is that although Group III oils can go to a slightly higher temp than Group IV before breakdown, when they DO break down they turn to hard crud whereas Group IV just vaporizes.

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Electron Man

· #3 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (dbrowne1)

Polyalphaolefins rule!

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dbrowne1

· #4 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (Electron Man)

quote:[HR][/HR]Polyalphaolefins rule!

[HR][/HR]

Precisely.

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DTECH1.8T

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (dbrowne1)

quote:[HR][/HR]Polyalphaolefins rule!

Precisely.

[HR][/HR]

That's why I mentioned the BP Amoco ownership and the "improved formula" of the oil I purchased. BP Amoco is another large produced of PAOs so the new formula likely has them. As for 0W30 or 5W30, like I mentioned before, the ones I've seen so far don't seem to meet the specifications for ACEA 2 or 3 or the VW specifications, at least the ones mentioned in the 2002 manual, probably because they don't have the film strength of the 40 weights. I'm sure they can be used, might even give ever so slightly better mileage, but at the expense of reduced protection. At least that's what it seems like from the info I have so far. I'd rather not drop to 30 weight if I can avoid it.
BTW....When did everyone else switch to synthetic? Just curious. I have about 3200 miles on my 2002 and will be doing the change by this weekend the latest, maybe even today.

[Modified by DTECH1.8T, 10:23 PM 2-13-2002]

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JosephShaw

· #6 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (DTECH1.8T)

quote:[HR][/HR]BTW....When did everyone else switch to synthetic? Just curious. I have about 3200 miles on my 2002 and will be doing the change by this weekend the latest, maybe even today.[HR][/HR]

I switched to synthetic at 5000 miles for the first oil change, and now I'm doing it every 2500 as of 15000 miles because I want to make sure there's always plenty of fresh oil in the car. I'm going to have it for a while so it's important to me to keep it in the best shape possible.

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dbrowne1

· #7 · Feb 13, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (DTECH1.8T)

I switched at 10K, it's probably fine to do so at 5K. I really doubt Syntec has changed their formula considering they can charge a full synthetic price for an oil that costs 1/2 as much to make.
As far as the 30 weight issue, here's a good article that explains why nobody in the U.S. or Canada really needs a 40 weight: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng14.shtml
I have used Mobil 1 0W-40 but right now I have the 5W-30 in there because I had a 5 quart jug left over. I really don't think it makes much difference. The W number is more important (startup wear and getting oil circulated quickly). For what it's worth, all new VWs and Audis now ship with 0W-30 synthetic from the factory, although I've been told that they changed a few tolerances in the turbo and elsewhere when they did this.

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DTECH1.8T

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 14, 2002

Re: Anyone using 10W40 synthetic in their 1.8Ts? (dbrowne1)

Thanks for that link! Has some really good info, but I'd still be inclined to use a 40 weight for turbo/longevitiy reasons. For me, the W weight is pretty much inconsequential since I live in South Florida. There would be no difference in cold startup flow between a 0W, 5W or 10W at the temperatures that are seen anywhere in the State of Florida and even a lot of the country, so a wider spread in the cold/hot viscosities only means that their are more viscosity modifiers used to be able to achieve the spread which may make the oil a little easier to break down.
I guess their is just as much "personal preference" as "science" in choosing the right weight huh?....

[Modified by DTECH1.8T, 4:26 PM 2-14-2002]

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