What oil should I use?

[VWKev]

It's the 5W bit that refers to the low temp performance, the 40 means the oil retains more viscosity at higher temperatures than the 5W30 weight oil. If he's doing lots of city driving in Texas that'll be what he wants. As long as its changed regularly it is fine.

Ahh cool, ta. 

[am1w]

It's the 5W bit that refers to the low temp performance, the 40 means the oil retains more viscosity at higher temperatures than the 5W30 weight oil. If he's doing lots of city driving in Texas that'll be what he wants. As long as its changed regularly it is fine.

I used to know this, and as I am too lazy to check it, would you kindly please clarify:-

(1) The lower the no in front of W, then the oil will maintain its properties at lower temperatures and the oil can be used in really freezing conditions?

(2) The higher the no after W, then this would mean a more viscous oil?

[mac7]

(1) The lower the no in front of W, then the oil will maintain its properties at lower temperatures and the oil can be used in really freezing conditions?

(2) The higher the no after W, then this would mean a more viscous oil?

Yep, that's right. The lower the first number, the less thick the oil becomes at low temp. The higher the second number, the higher the viscosity (thickness) at operating temperatures.

[am1w]

(1) The lower the no in front of W, then the oil will maintain its properties at lower temperatures and the oil can be used in really freezing conditions?
(2) The higher the no after W, then this would mean a more viscous oil?

Yep, that's right. The lower the first number, the less thick the oil becomes at low temp. The higher the second number, the higher the viscosity (thickness) at operating temperatures.

Thank you kind sir.

[Hartside]

My dealer gave me a litre of Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow when I picked up the car last week.

That's the oil I got from my dealer, gave me a free top up then I bought a litre for £15.

SLX is dicontinued - I wonder if the dealers have old stock... out of interest is it 504/507.00?

Yes, it is

[dbcperformance]

It's the 5W bit that refers to the low temp performance, the 40 means the oil retains more viscosity at higher temperatures than the 5W30 weight oil. If he's doing lots of city driving in Texas that'll be what he wants. As long as its changed regularly it is fine.

Very true, in US VW recommends 5W40 and service departments use 5w40 all around US whether it is Arizona or NY.

If I lived in a cold climate, I would use 0w30, which a lot of Northern folks here in States use.

[RickS]

My dealer gave me a litre of Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow when I picked up the car last week.

That's the oil I got from my dealer, gave me a free top up then I bought a litre for £15.

SLX is dicontinued - I wonder if the dealers have old stock... out of interest is it 504/507.00?

Mac7, haven't checked the spec code yet cos' only just noticed your post [not very observant], but it was in a proper Castrol bottle with the correct label on it. Are you sure it's discontinued?