As I've only just discovered this forum, forgive me if this question has already been dealt with.
I have always driven VW diesel cars (Golf, Jetta GXD and Vento 1.9 Tdi) and am sure that changing the oil midway between the recommended intervals must have contributed something to their longevity (400k, 200k and 200 k miles respectively - and the last, the Vento, is still running happily.)
I recently purchased a Skoda Fabia 1.9Tdi estate (Comfort), with which I'm very pleased: in all respects (except price) it seems like the Vento Tdi.
I changed the oil at 5000 miles, using Castrol GTD Magnatec. However, I have subsequently been told - by Skoda dealers and Castrol, indeed - that the spec on this (VW 505 500 I THINK - don't have details to hand) is incorrect (SHOULD BE 505 501) and that I should replace it with oil which can be obtained only from VW/Seat/Skoda dealers in 1 litre containers @ £7 approx per litre. Even when I said that the oil would be changed again at the first scheduled service - in 5000m - all said I should still change it and muttered darkly about possible damage if I didn't.
I am happy to do this, in order to preserve the car i good condition (the whole point of the 'extra' change anyway) But, I wonder:
1. IS it really necessary?
2. Are the oils SO different (simple answers, please, for someone who is technically illiterate!)?
3. Is it possible to obtain the correct spec oil more cheaply than as detailed above (which works out at nearly £40 for a change!)?
Any help most gratefully received.
Thanks
Paul Bowden
Lincolnshire
UK
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Paul
i'll be watching this thread with interest - I asked the same question a few months ago, and there were plenty of replies but i'm not sure I understood that many of them
mike
when you've got tired of driving ...
www.mikes-walks.co.uk
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I'm sure I've seen oil especially for VWs to the spec required in 4L or 5L tubs in Halfords, and I think it was Castrol. It's worth having a look.
Cheers
Andy.
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I was under the impression that this oil was specified by VW for their "Pumpe Duse " engines.Is your car fitted with PD,as the earlier ones were not.I seem to remember reading a letter in Diesel Car about a customer who queried this with Skoda as they had been putting this special oil in his car when it was not required and of course charging him hansomely for the privelege.He maintained that it was not necessary and eventually agreed with him.
As for alternative suppliers,I beleive that "Millers " now produces an oil to VW specs and has been approved.
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Thanks, Bernie
The only thing Skoda wanted to know was whether it was an APD engine - which I had to find out by looking at a plate under the carpeting in the boot: if it was, then the oil had to be 01 spec; if not, the inferior 00 stuff would be OK and... you guessed it, it's the APD.
Thanks for the suggestion about Miller's, but it doesn't look as though they're going to be any help - have just had a look at their UK website:
www.millersoils.co.uk/AUTOMOTIVE_WORLD/RANGE2.ASP
Best wishes and thanks
Paul Bowden>> I was under the impression that this oil was specified byVW for their "Pumpe Duse " engines.Is your car fitted with PD,as the earlier ones were not.I seem to remember reading a letter in Diesel Car about a customer who queried this with Skoda as they had been putting this special oil in his car when it was not required and of course charging him hansomely for the privelege.He maintained that it was not necessary and eventually agreed with him. As for alternative suppliers,I beleive that "Millers " now produces an oil to VW specs and has been approved.
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I've recently checked with Millers for compatability with the VW PD Engines copy of reply below:
You are very well informed, this is exactly the spec of the Millers XFE PD 5w/40 semi synthetic VW 505.01.
The oil drain fixed interval is about right for the ability of the formulation. ( I have covered 102,000 in a VW TDi which has been serviced regularly at 10k and still does not use a drop of oil and 52+ mpg)
If you wish to change slightly earlier, it can't do any harm, can it?
The variable service interval (VSI) spec oil has to meet VW 503 (petrol) and 506 (diesel) and is a 0w/30 full synthetic oil.
Having spoken an "e"corresponded with many VAG owners this type of servicing tends to indicate a service needed between 20 and 27k.
From a puerely mechanical basis, this seems a lot! but we have not yet analysed a used sample with this mileage to check the condition.
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millers oils produce a 5w40 semi synthetic oil known as xfe pd. Its made specifically for vw pd engines(100 115 130 150 bhp tdi). I bought 4 tubs today (5litres each) for 19.99inc vat a tub at their glasgow depot. Thats 3.99 a litre compared to 7.50 a litre at vw dealers. They have a website at www.millersoils.co.uk but its not bang up to date and doesnt mention this oil
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Thanks very much for your reply, Andy (and others who have contributed.) In fact, I rang both Halford's and Castrol: one said (and I stupidly can't remember which) that Halford's do stock oils to that spec, but that they would be 'too thin' and that my car 'wouldn't like them.'
Because I'm a coward/a technical simpleton/keen not to b***** my car for good, I have actually drained the Magnatec and replaced it with the Skoda stuff, trying all the time not to think of what a nice wine I could down for the same price.
However, I will go back and scout round Halford's and I shall continue to be grateful for further thoughts or information.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply
Paul Bowden
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This doesn't help with your question but may be of interest. Where can we get good advice? Apparently not from VW or Castrol.
Volkswagen facing competition investigation :
Volkswagen is facing another investigation by Mario Monti, Competition Commissioner following a complaint to the EC by the European Union of Independent Lubricant Manufacturers. The small engine oil makers have accused VW of attempting to collude with two major oil companies to distort the market. From 1999 to the end of 2000 VW insisted that its dealerships could only use Castro or Esso engine oil when they serviced VW models such as Golfs, Polos and Passats. Both Castro and Esso paid VW to become exclusive suppliers to VW dealerships. The European Union of Independent Lubricant Manufacturers has gone to the Commission arguing that their products were of equal quality as Castro and Esso but the VW agreement meant that their 400 members were effectively shut out of the market. Mario Monti's spokesman has confirmed that the Commission is investigating the matter, but that it was too early to anticipate a ruling. (Source: European Voice)
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Paul
Firstly the oil specs that you are concerned with are 505.00 and 505.01 not as shown in your subject heading.
505.01 MUST be used in pdi (PumpDuse) engines. It CAN be used in tdi engines but 505.00 MUST NOT be used in pdi engines. As far as I know Skoda still fit the older tdi engines in Fabias and Octavias. The pdi engines are only fitted in the new Superb.
I bought 5 litres of Millers XFE-PD last Tuesday for £14.99; somewhat different from VW etc. prices. I bought this in Chester which won't help you!
Millers have not updated their web site to show XFE-PD. It does show XFE which is ideal for tdi engines. Millers web site is at www.millersoils.co.uk where you can find out local suppliers.
Castrol 505.01 can be bought in Halfords but their price is even higher than VW!
Another cheaper source of 505.01 is via a Ford dealer as this oil is used in the 115bhp Galaxy engine. Unfortunately most Ford dealers have never heard of it!
All tdi engines (and all modern diesels) will benefit from a diesel specific oil. If you check your handbook you will find the oil specifications for your engine - just make sure that the VW code, either 500.00, 505.00 or the dreaded 505.01 matches what's on the container.
I'm almost 100% certain that you will need 505.00 but check, there may have been recent changes - if you do need 505.01 then you must change the oil and filter immediately.
There have been many threads in this forum about this oil -if you do a search you should find them.
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Berti - sorry to be pedantic but if it's as important as you say I'm sure you won't mind.
The 100 bhp Fabia is a PD engine. So is the turbo diesel in the new Seat Ibiza, and the 115 bhp Alhambra. There are also some non-official imported 100 bhp Alhambras from Ireland that have the PD engine. All other recent turbo diesel Seats are TDis.
All UK spec 90bhp VW group cars have the TDi engine. Anything with 100, 115, 130 or 150 bhp will be a pd. The 1.7 and 1.9 SDi, as used in the Lupo, Arosa, Polo, Golf and Fabia is a turboless TDi. The 1.4 turbo diesel is a PD engine as well.
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Paul
bertj is right on the ball except that the Fabia Tdi is now fitted with 100bhp PD diesel engine. It's on page 32 of their brochure & I've just bought one (car not brochure) in December 2002.
However I too am confused re oil to use. The handbook says for fixed interval servicing, which mine is every 10,000 miles, oil must comply with VAG spec 505.01 for top ups & changes. However the local dealer said anti "quality semi synth" will do during the first 10,000 miles.
I have e-mailed Skoda direct and am awaiting their reply. I'll post their reply here when I get it.
Meanwhile, playing safe seems the best bet to avoid any warranty dificulties.
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Fabia TDi has always been the PD engine actually. It was the first use for the 100bhp version.
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Thanks for updating me on the Skoda range. Might even consider changing my wife's 1.4 pdi Polo for a Fabia. What a minefield this oil business is for VW, Seat, Audi and Skoda diesel owners!
The sensible way of dealing with all this is probably to use 505.01 in any diesel engine in the range; then you know you are safe. This now makes more sense especially now that VW etc. have lost their stranglehold on the supply of this oil.
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Given that this 505.01 vs 505.00 issue keeps appearing as a thread it would seem there is much confusion out there.
I have personal experience of a VW dealership that has supplied incorrect oil for a PD and I recall an earlier thread which identfied others who had been similarly affected.
What with special VW oil and special VW screenwash (fan jet nozzles) where will VWs attempts at accessory domination end.
as ever
Mark
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We could also add the question of oil filters for pdi engines - I think that all pdi engines use the same filter. Are they all the same? If so, see the thread about oil for Ford Galaxy 115bhp pdi engines. Ford filters are cheaper than VW.
Are these filters available elsewhere?
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I would be careful trusting you`re local dealer when he says " quality synth will do"
They told me to use "ordinary multigrade" on a PD Lupo.
I had to contact Germany and the dealer later apologised blaming someone " new in parts"
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Paul
Skoda have now given their official response to my enquiry as under:-
"Thank you for your recent email regarding your Skoda Fabia TDI. We recommend that the oil used for topping up complies with the specification VW 505 01.
The oil should remain to this standard for the PD engine. I would like to advise that SkodaAuto are unable to specify a particular brand of oil to use however, as long as the VW specification code is printed on the oil you choose to use you will not have a problem. Alternatively, your local
retailer may be able to advise on a brand of oil that he uses."
So shopping around to find the cheapest oil that meets the spec seems to be the answer.
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See SEAT/VW tdi pd VW505.01 oil follow up post
by Mark S on Fri 15 Nov 02.
This gives a list of all manufacturers of 505.01 oil. Most are only available in mainland Europe.
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Local distributor of Millers Oils in Plymouth is selling a VAG spec 505.01 under their brand name XFE-PD for £20.95 (inc VAT)for 5 litres.
Not much use to Paul in Lincolnshire, but a benchmark price against local VW garage price.
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Type VW 505 01 (or indeed any other VW oil spec) into Google and you will gets hits on most if not all manufacturers of that oil. I have been through the same exercise with VW 503 00 which is specified for variable service petrol engines. Google came up with plenty of options - although not all are available in the UK.
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IIRC there are over 70 505.01 oils approved by VW. As well as Millers, majors available here include Shell, BP, Castrol, Fuchs (also a factory fill) Silkolene, Total, Elf, Motul.
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You can actually buy Millers Oils XFE PD via the website, www.millersoils.co.uk. The product has been designed specifically for use in small diesel engines to reduce fuel injector pump wear, as with the pumpe duse engine. Alternatively call Millers Oils on 0845 6455377.
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I think that it would be a good idea for VW/Audi/Skoda to put a notice in the engine bay to advise owners which oil to use. This would help when buying oil.
As has been said on this thread, there is alot of confusion regarding VW oils. Paul you must put in 505.01 spec oil in your car if on milage servicing, or 506.01 on variable servicing. There is a new spec now 507.00 for something or other, yes it is good idea to put a large notice under the bonnet. Are you listening VW Group?
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I have just noticed that this thread started in 2002, are you still with us Paul, have you still got the car and what oils are you using? I think we should know.
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have just noticed that this thread started in 2002
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yeah, wonder what made rickn dredge it out of the archives after all these years.
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I just relied to a post from 3 years ago ;(
I must try to concentrate more...........
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