Mk7 gti engine oil question

cojomo2

I just picked up a mk7 gti and the oil is slightly on the low side.

I was going to just top it up as the service history shows it was services 4k km ago. The manual states the 2 types of oil can be used:

Oil that meets VW 502 standards if you adhering to the condition based servicing (the computer tells you when you need change)

or

Oil that meet VW 504 standard if you are on a long life service plan.

The computer says I'm due an oil change in 1000km or so, yet the recent service states I have 12momths/20k or so to go.

I don't know if 502 or 504 oil was used - Does it matter if I top it up with 504 if it's 502 that's in it?

If so, I'll just do a full oil change with 504. That brigs me to the next question- what are peoples view on halfords oil - they do a 5w30 that meets vw 504 standard- would this be as good as the castrol edge? works out a fair bit cheaper and it's 5l instead of 4. If there's any doubt, I'll go with castrol, just though I'd get the opinion of some more experienced folks.

Thanks!

Drummerboy08

You have a performance car, please don't skimp on oil.

Buy the best you can afford. Also, I'd probably shorten the service interval to 15,000km or every year too, the car will thank you for it.

Bpmull

I'd be putting castrol edge into it halfords oil is fine but isn't as good as castrol edge IMO it's an expensive performance car I wouldn't be putting an ok oil into it if You could get a much better one. Due to the fact the computer is reading 1k km to service and the oil level is low Id probably just get it serviced for piece of mind start from a clean slate unless you can ring the garage that did it and check was it vw main dealer.

Also by the sounds of it are you going servicing it yourself that will void the warranty do id stick to main dealer while its under warranty.

mickdw

I put Mobil 1 5w 30 esp in my audi that uses the same spec oil as yours. That meets the long life 50400 spec.
I find it a good oil and I recently had sump off my car and I'm told everything looked very good. Even though I use the longlife oil, I change oil every 10k miles approx.
Halfords occasionally have good offers on the mobil 1. Got 5L for 40 quid and its usually 60 or so.

cojomo2

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

You have a performance car, please don't skimp on oil.

Buy the best you can afford. Also, I'd probably shorten the service interval to 15,000km or every year too, the car will thank you for it.

Wasn't planning on skimping -the question was if halfords vw rated 504 was as good as the castrol 504 stuff? Often these own brand oils are actually made by the big brands- why pay more if it is?

Bpmull wrote: »

Also by the sounds of it are you going servicing it yourself that will void the warranty do id stick to main dealer while its under warranty.

Car has 24k km, was servised at 10 k km by VW, @ 20 K KM at indy. I always change oil in a car when I buy it- just habit. I'll hardly void the warranty if I do an oil change now, and get VW to do another @ 35k km?

The main reason I was going to do an oil change now is I need to top up the oil and don't know if it 502 or 504 spec oil in it now - does it matter if these get mixed? If not, I'll just top up with the better 504 spec stuff- anyone know if it's ok to mix?

Thanks

Bpmull

It's definitely worth changing the oil your right there to be safe I'm not sure on the correct spec but I'm sure someone will be along to say what it is. As far as I was concerned with the warranty if they look at it and see you were servicing it yourself it will go against you whether or not it will completly void it or not I dont know but it will make the process more difficult IMO. I suppose you can ring them and ask maybe if you use vw parts and keep the receipts then it's ok.

JoeA3

Castrol Edge 5W-30.

cojomo2

JoeA3 wrote: »

Castrol Edge 5W-30.

for topping up?

JoeA3

cojomo2 wrote: »

for topping up?

Yeah it's what VW recommend and the dealers have given me the odd free litre of it when I've called in. The MK7 hasn't required top ups anywhere near as often as my previous GTI though.
Also it sounds like the Indy just didn't bother resetting the service interval on the car's computer. Personally I'd use a main / authorised dealer for servicing while the car is still under warranty.

cojomo2

JoeA3 wrote: »

Yeah it's what VW recommend and the dealers have given me the odd free litre of it when I've called in. The MK7 hasn't required top ups anywhere near as often as my previous GTI though.
Also it sounds like the Indy just didn't bother resetting the service interval on the car's computer. Personally I'd use a main / authorised dealer for servicing while the car is still under warranty.

Thanks Joe,

Yeah Ill be using a main dealer while in warranty. I've had GTis before and always been castrol edge they recommend in the manual however with the mk 7 you can use that or a cheaper 502 rated 5w30 fully synthetic such as castrol magnatec if your not on a long life plan. Going with the possibility that the last service guy put the 502 castrol magnatec stuff in, do you know if there is any issue mixing in castrol edge with it for a top up? I've heard stories before and about certain additives in some oils being degraded if mixed with certain additives in other oils - don't know if it's true though

JoeA3

cojomo2 wrote: »

Thanks Joe,

Yeah Ill be using a main dealer while in warranty. I've had GTis before and always been castrol edge they recommend in the manual however with the mk 7 you can use that or a cheaper 502 rated 5w30 fully synthetic such as castrol magnatec if your not on a long life plan. Going with the possibility that the last service guy put the 502 castrol magnatec stuff in, do you know if there is any issue mixing in castrol edge with it for a top up?

I don't honestly know about mixing. I can't imagine it would be any harm but probably best to pop into the service desk of the local dealers and ask them.
You obviously bought one anyway. That one off doneDeal or a dealer's car?

George Dalton

There is no issue with mixing the 2 oil types.

cojomo2

George Dalton wrote: »

There is no issue with mixing the 2 oil types.

Thanks George .


Yes Joe , bought the one off done deal, dealer would have been outta my price range, and not much benefit as there's still over a year's warranty left on this. Plan is to hold on to it for a year and then follow in your footsteps with the R..looking forward to reading a review from you when you get yours .

B00056718

I must be the only gimp that does oil and filter every 7000km. Have always done so.
The oil starts degrading from the very moment you start the car. To me, manufacturers are pushing it with service intervals for the last decade or so, in order to attract the fleet customers or whatever.

I'm quite heavy on the right foot, so id rather treat the engine with some fresh oil to compensate for the hard times i'm giving to it.

I remember, I sold my Audi S2 ling time ago, to a guy who took it apart and rebuilt it for drag racing. He rang and thanked me when he saw the engine from the inside. It was spotless he said. :cool: