Engine oil standards/approval confusion

MrCostington

The owner's manual for my car says to use VW 502 00 so I got a can of Shell Helix HX7 Engine Oil - 10W-40 from a well known motorfactor chain and on their site it says VW 502 00/505 00

The Shell site also states VW 502 00/505 00

https://www.shell.co.uk/fuels-oils-and-coolants/shell-engine-oils/semi-synthetic-shell-helix-hx7-10w-40.html

But when I got home I saw VW 501.01/505.00 on the back of the can.

I queried this with the shop and the guy was of the opinion that this meant 501 to 505, but I feel the slash indicates 501 and 505, whereas a dash could be taken to mean 'to'.

Might I be covered by the ACEA A3 listed in the manual, the can says ACEA A3/B4, which using my previous logic I take to mean A3 and B4.

Would anybody have a definitive answer? I've emailed Shell, but they may or may not get back.

Thanks!

THEDONWALDO

Enter your reg number into the castrol oil finder or finol oil finder (google them)

If it’s a VAG engine I would say you need 0W30 oil (castrol a3/b4)

BlakeS94

The 501/505 means "and" not "to". Oil specifications are precise for each spec so it wouldn't ever be 501 all the way to 505 any will do.

VW 501 is an old spec and VW 502 is a newer, better quality spec oil that superseded 501. Its okay to use 502 where it states 501 not the other way around. I'd imagine your car is a bit older?

MrCostington

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121914593#Comment_121914593

Thanks, but I was looking to see if my Shell oil is OK so those other brands are of little use.

MrCostington

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121915037#Comment_121915037

That's exactly my thinking. Car is a '05 A3 1.6 petrol