What is Longlife oil?

[mar_k]

If the filter has been changed ? Are you sure the filter was done ? Reason I say it is because you can't change the filter with out the oil ? Looking at the oil on the tissue it's to black , if it was me I would dump the car back on there forecourt tell them to change it properly !

why cant you change the filter without doing the oil?
it maybe shouldnt be done but you can remove  an oil filter without dropping the oil from the sump. the oil will only come out the oil pump if there is pressure, i.e the engin running, if you have the engine off its fine to remove the filter, you will only lose what oil is in the filter

[Hartside]

I'm going back tomorrow as I'm pissed off about this. I hate garages just taking the mick, hoping you won't check. Thing that is strange to me though is 500 miles ago the oil was quite clear when I last checked. It's like they have put old oil into it. Smells like it too 

[mac7]

Hartside, that certainly doesn't look like fresh engine oil - but if they didn't drain it fully then the old oil would mix and give the same result.

Longlife oil is any oil approved by Volksawgen to standard 504.00/507.00 and is designed for variable service intervals. Non-longlife oil is VW 502.00/505.00 and is meant for fixed service intervals.

504/507 oil can be used for both Longlife or time & distance service regimes, whereas 502/505 oil should only be used for the latter.

I'd point out here that 502.00 doesn't really tie down the oil viscosity adequately for the TFSI/TSI engines - it won't allow the engine to meet Euro IV emissions and there is anecdotal evidence that re-circulation of oil vapour from the crankcase breather results in significant deposit build up in the intake ports and on the back of the valves. Additionally 505.00 (the diesel "equivalent") isn't low in sulphur/sulpahted ash so will probably hurt the DPF on GTD's.

[am1w]

Hartside: Agree with all the above.
I had an oil and filter change at 1k miles and then another oil and filter change in March for my first service. The oil was long life and golden in colour. I checked my dipstick earlier today and no oil had been used and it was a slightly darker shade of gold, but gold and not black.

[Hyperspace]

Longlife oil is any oil approved by Volksawgen to standard 504.00/507.00 and is designed for variable service intervals. Non-longlife oil is VW 502.00/505.00 and is meant for fixed service intervals.

504/507 oil can be used for both Longlife or time & distance service regimes, whereas 502/505 oil should only be used for the latter.

I'd point out here that 502.00 doesn't really tie down the oil viscosity adequately for the TFSI/TSI engines - it won't allow the engine to meet Euro IV emissions and there is anecdotal evidence that re-circulation of oil vapour from the crankcase breather results in significant deposit build up in the intake ports and on the back of the valves. Additionally 505.00 (the diesel "equivalent") isn't low in sulphur/sulpahted ash so will probably hurt the DPF on GTD's.

I agree. 504/507 oils arguably keep the intake valves cleaner for longer, reduces EGR clogging, and prolongs the life of the DPF. If one has a direct-injection petrol (i.e. FSI, TSI, TFSI, etc.) or diesel (TDI) engine, then I believe you are really better off with this oil.

However, for warranty purposes, VW deem it acceptable to use 502/505 oils (except for vehicles fitted with a DPF) as long as you are on the Time & Distance service regime - which I find incredulous, but there you go.

[am1w]

Hyperspace:
Until 6 months ago, the oil on the shelves in my local VW parts dept was not long life oil! I asked them if the oil they used was the one on the shelves. They concurred.
When I had my car serviced in March, the Service Manager and Tech assured me they had used long life oil. I had no choice but believe them.

[p3asa]

Reminds me of when my dad had his Focus  serviced.
He checked the oil when he got the car home and couldn't see a drop on the dip stick. He phoned the garage to complain and the manager and a mechanic came straight away.
Turns out the oil was that fresh you literally couldn't see it on the dip stick it was that clear. However a rub with a tissue showed him it was there.
He was so embarrassed.

Back on topic, I totally agree with the others, the oil should still be golden brown not dark brown. Maybe they never fulled drained it before adding the new stuff, leaving some of the crap still in it.

[am1w]

Just gave my car in for a valet.
They use Quantum and the equivalent Shell for all their servicing. Both long life oils.

[Hyperspace]

Until 6 months ago, the oil on the shelves in my local VW parts dept was not long life oil! I asked them if the oil they used was the one on the shelves. They concurred.
When I had my car serviced in March, the Service Manager and Tech assured me they had used long life oil. I had no choice but believe them.

The dealer gets its instructions from Volkswagen, and Volkswagen have said either 502/505 or 504/507 is fine - they would then presumably leave the choice up to the customer. So even though I'd be uncomfortable with the use of non-longlife oils, it's not like the dealer was acting contrary to company policy (which as far as I'm aware, hasn't changed, though feel free to correct me).

I kinda get the impression that more dealers are starting to use 504/507 oils exclusively. Perhaps the dealers are seeing less older vehicles in their workshop, or just want to simply their inventory & costs, or maybe VW's policy has indeed changed, I don't know.

[am1w]

Until 6 months ago, the oil on the shelves in my local VW parts dept was not long life oil! I asked them if the oil they used was the one on the shelves. They concurred.
When I had my car serviced in March, the Service Manager and Tech assured me they had used long life oil. I had no choice but believe them.

The dealer gets its instructions from Volkswagen, and Volkswagen have said either 502/505 or 504/507 is fine - they would then presumably leave the choice up to the customer. So even though I'd be uncomfortable with the use of non-longlife oils, it's not like the dealer was acting contrary to company policy (which as far as I'm aware, hasn't changed, though feel free to correct me).
I kinda get the impression that more dealers are starting to use 504/507 oils exclusively. Perhaps the dealers are seeing less older vehicles in their workshop, or just want to simply their inventory & costs, or maybe VW's policy has indeed changed, I don't know.

I spoke to the Service Manager today and indeed using Long Life oil has simplified their inventory + costs and has kept most customers happy!