GolfGTIforum.co.uk

General => The garage => Topic started by: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 22:15

Title: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 22:15

Time for an oil change for my 1.8T - it's getting on a bit (145,000 mls) and I'm getting tight, so rather than Halfords synthetic at £43, I noticed that their fully synthetic motorcycle oil 5W40 SL A3 is only £32. Used to be motorcycle oil was more expensive but not this time. Considering it's designed for comparatively much higher tuned engines I wonder if I can use it in my old gti.

Thoughts?

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: Wayne on 21 April 2011, 22:43

Nope would not recommend it.

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 22:57

Quote from: Wayne on 21 April 2011, 22:43

Nope would not recommend it.

Reason? It meets VWs spec.

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: Wayne on 21 April 2011, 23:01

Quote from: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 22:57

Quote from: Wayne on 21 April 2011, 22:43

Nope would not recommend it.

Reason? It meets VWs spec.

Motorbike oil is for and should be kept to motorbikes.  :smiley:

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 23:06

mmm not a convincing argument - oil is rated by SAE, API etc not by the profile of the target market...

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: Wayne on 21 April 2011, 23:48

Quote from: bikeman on 21 April 2011, 23:06

mmm not a convincing argument - oil is rated by SAE, API etc not by the profile of the target market...

Have a read of this thread and then tell me it is worth taking a chance: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=95412.0  :rolleyes:

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: bikeman on 22 April 2011, 09:02

The thread suggest there is some confusion around which oil is right for the 1.8T - even VW dealers seem to be at odds. Bottom line is there ar elots of turbo VW cars out there running around on whatever VW dealers have to hand. The general concensus is synthetic 5w30 so I'd say this motorcycle oil fits the bill.

A fully synthetic oil (which just happens to be branded for motorcycles) has to be better than switching to a cheaper semi-synth oil.

Maybe I 'll regret it but I'm going to give it a try unless of course someone can provide a more scientific reason why not.

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: danny_p on 22 April 2011, 11:29

if it meets the vw specifaction for oil   it can go in. 

bikes work there oil harder than cars so if the oil is the right viscosity  and meets or excessds the vw specks id chuck it in without thinking twice.

for out new VAG's  i get the oil of vw   £28 for 5ltrs last one cost me

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: JC on 22 April 2011, 11:33

dont forget, bike oil is designed for dual systems together, engine and gearbox.  Just a thought  :smiley:

and to be fair, we are only talking a couple of quid difference - over a 6 month period say, its not a lot  :undecided: is it worth the risk ?

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: ruffryder on 23 April 2011, 06:19

No bikes have gear oil aswell is bet that bike an car oil is the same just marketing used.to do same job so would have thought it would be ok

Title: Re: Motorcycle synthetic oil in car?
Post by: emery1990 on 23 April 2011, 09:52

Just put it in if it meets vw requirements, I've used solar fluid in my coolant system lol