a6 1.9tdi engine oil

[chrishackett]

can somebody pleae tell what type of engine oil i should be using in my a6 1.9 tdi 51 because i keep getting conflicting advice

[Rustynuts]

General across the board oil requirements. Things have changed recently, and if it's on 10k miles (fixed interval) service, you need VAG spec 504.00 oil and if it's on longlife (variable) service, you need VAG spec 507.00.

This has changed recently to simplify the oil requirements as it used to be...

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Non PD engined TDI: - VAG 505.00

PD engine 10k miles service: - VAG 505.01

PD engine longlife service: - Vag 506.01

(I'm not sure if the non PD was ever available to use longlife service.)

So, it now depends on what service interval you have. Some dealers/garages may still be quoting the old oil specs but the new oil is the same (506.01 = 507.00) (505.01 = 504.00) (505.00 not used anymore) only rebranded/packaged.

[chrishackett]

so how do i know which type of service scedule the car is set up for

[Rustynuts]

You can choose which you want. Depends on how many miles a year you do. Less than 12k miles I'd be having a 10k service interval. More than that, put it on longlife.

[chrishackett]

so its not stamped on anything or in the vag software or anything sorry to keep banging on about this but my car has just had an alleged service at a non vag garage and the oil looks like it hasnt been changed and i aint taking it back so i was wondering how easy it is to change it myself

[Rustynuts]

You change the oil in a TDI, and by the time you start the engine and drive it home the oil will be black. It's doing its job by holding the soot and contaminants in suspension so it goes black pretty much straight away. If you really want to be sure, you can just drop the oil out, and refill it with 507.00 oil which will cover any eventuality. If your car is on 10k miles service, it'll flag up a service indicator in 9k miles from when it was reset. If it's on variable interval, it'll monitor the oil quality automatically, and flag up a warning anywhere between 15k and 30k miles.

I've not heard of any garage having the guts to charge you for an oil service and not change the oil. They would soon lose business if they did that sort of thing, but you never know.

There should be a way of telling in the VAG COM software, but I don't know how I'm afraid. They may have put a sticker on saying when your next service is due, but if they didn't change the oil, I doubt if they'd waste the money on a sticker.

How much did they charge you for the oil, or was it an all in price for the service? Longlife oil (0w 30 weight) is about £12 a litre, while standard oil (5w 40) is about £5 a litre.

[chrishackett]

if thats the case then (the oil turning black)nearly straight away then it might have been changed cos when i checked it after about 10 miles it was black and the oil level on the dipstick had gone up.

i thought it was black because he hadnt changed it just topped it up i cant see the oil filter to see if its a new one

[chrishackett]

i was charged £200 for a full service [whatever that covers]

[Rustynuts]

The oil filter is a cartridge type which drops into a housing from the top, and then the cover is replaced. The actual filter is inside the housing unlike the spin-on type which you usually see on engines so you won't see anything new, maybe just the housing wiped clean and a few scuff marks etc.

I'd not worry too much about his honesty, and take it as read that you've had a service. Where ever you go, you'll never know what's been done unless you stand and watch.

£200 sounds like it could be longlife oil.

[chrishackett]

thanks for all your help i will sleep easier now dont go too far away i may need you to help me again