what oil to use ?

[itavaltalainen]

507.00 (and 504.00) extended drain intervals are UP TO values... you will only ever reach the full mileage if you only drive long distance. most people don't get an awful lot more than you would on standard intervals.

A good VW 502.00 oil can carry as many contaminants as 504/507.00 oils, in particular if it also fulfills Merc's 229.5

HTHS of 4.5 would be good, but doubt any 504/507.00 oil will reach this as it's always a 5w30. HTHS over 4 is more territory of some 0w40, 5w40 and then 5w50 (or even 10w60). The units for HTHS is certainly not % but mPas

[Bandit127]

My bad. HTHS is >3.5. Not 4.5. They state %, but MPa makes more sense since it is shear.
PDF from Fuchs

Thanks for all the info.

I guess a basic question from me then. Do I get less chance of sludge from a 504.00 over a 502.00 if I am on fixed 10k intervals? (I though so, obviously).

[itavaltalainen]

Depends on the version of 502 - VW have revamped the spec a few years ago (2005). The newer 502 oils are pretty similar with 507 oil for sludge, in particular if they also fulfill mercedes spec 229.5. [229.5 is the best MB spec oil - unless you have a diesel with dpf].

On my previous golf, my brother's c4 and mom's corolla I only ever used 0w40 (Mobil 1 Diesel for corolla) and 5w40 (Petronas syntium 3000 for C4) with MB 229.5 spec (both only asked for ACEA A3/B3 oils).

You can compare oils with this tool:
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/lubrizol/Markets/EngineOilAdditives/100132RPtool2012Deploy/rp/pc/index.html

Overlay 502.00, 504.00 and 229.5.... and ACEA A3/B3 (2010 version).... you will see 504 offers very little for a 1.8t (the wear part is a bit confusing because this will have to do with engine design too, in particular the materials etc). 

[Dalo Harkin]

I went to VW the other week for oil and they said the recommended oil was 10-40 part synthetic

[itavaltalainen]

Comes to show how clueless VW garages sadly are....

[Bandit127]

<...>
You can compare oils with this tool:
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/lubrizol/Markets/EngineOilAdditives/100132RPtool2012Deploy/rp/pc/index.html

Overlay 502.00, 504.00 and 229.5.... and ACEA A3/B3 (2010 version).... you will see 504 offers very little for a 1.8t (the wear part is a bit confusing because this will have to do with engine design too, in particular the materials etc).

Excellent info there. Interesting to see the difference between the ACEA A3/B3 spec and the manufacturers spec.

I will make it a personal choice then to stick to fully synth 5w-40 to 504.00 spec (or a 229.5). And stop quoting it as law.

Thanks.