Oil recommendation for 1.8 TSI St2

[Audi Junkie]

I have no idea what the normal oil is for the engine I have seen recommendations for TSI engines mostly for 5w-30, but also for 0w-30 and 5w-40. Ravenol VMP 5w-30 seems highly recommend and is available locally. Another one is Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W30. Still I'm not sure if there is one particular type and make that is best suited to my requirements.

The 5w-30 that meets spec, and is in your manual is not a regular thin 5w-30, it's a thicker "Euro" 5w-30 that's just a hair thinner than 0w-40. Even 5w-40 is very thin now, not even much difference, except that regular jug 5w-30 for API American or ISLAC Asian cars is too thin at 10cSt visc. Euro 5w-30 is like 12cSt, a 0w-40 is 13cSt and a 5w-40 is 14cSt....so not even that much difference, just stay away from the thin "Mobil 1" or whatever generic 5w-30 you considered.

See how all of these oils are 10cSt at +100C? NOT a Euro 5w-30 in the bunch.
http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO/Marchsyntheticsallfinal.html

There are so few Euro 5w-30 on the market, it's not worth looking at. They are all VW 504 oils, afaik. Stick with 40 weights....period. (or the Pennzoil Euro L I mentioned, or Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 or Castrol SLX Pro dealer LL-03)

 

[Audi Junkie]

I'll do all maintenance at or before 5k miles, especially oil and air filter, since it's very likely I won't exceed 5k per year.

What about 504 rated oils, such as the Mobil 1 ESP Formula (5W30) ? Are they as good as 502 rated oils ? Assuming I change it at 5k.

Don't mess with the air filter before a change is speced. It filters BETTER as it gets used. Monkeying with it always drops some dirt into the intake, which is very bad for DI engines, with the dry intake valves.

For the same reason don't use a K&N or similar gauze filter, they let dirt in, causing wear and deposits.

 

[GeorgeTDI]

Thanks, for now I will use the Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30. It has good reviews, is easily available in Europe and I can get it at less than 50$ / 5 liter jug. Specifications can be found here. Among others, Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C is 12.1 and Ash Sulfated mass % is 0.6.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Again, same performance level as VW 504 at 1/2 the price....because it doesn't bother paying VW for the licence.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pennzoil-Platinum-Euro-L-5W-30-Full-Synthetic-Motor-Oil-5-qt/495194903

MB 229.51 Mid-SAPS

+238f flashpoint! If you can find a higher FP oil, use it. Mobil 1 0w-40 is only +226f

https://www.mobil.com/English-AU/Passenger-Vehicle-Lube/pds/GLXXMobil-1-0W40

https://www.pennzoil.com/en_us/prod...uro_L_SAE_5W-30_Fully_Synthetic_Motor_Oil.pdf

Better than 502, for sure....

With reduced SAPS to avert intake valve deposits...

 

[GeorgeTDI]

About Liqui Moly - is Top Tec 4200 their best 5W-30 oil for my engine/usage ? Their oil guide seems to suggest so.

Also between Mobil 1 ESP Formula and Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 what would you choose ? On paper they seem pretty close.

 

[tigeo]

About Liqui Moly - is Top Tec 4200 their best 5W-30 oil for my engine/usage ? Their oil guide seems to suggest so.

Also between Mobil 1 ESP Formula and Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 what would you choose ? On paper they seem pretty close.

Appears to be from their site using VW504 00 as the approval. They only had 2 and the Top Tec is the common one I see on the Euro part websites. It's like with the other Liquimoly oils, they work great but are more $$ than the equivalently approved M1...pick your brand, they will all be high-quality.