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Comments
Also never did get a sludge letter from WVoA.
Depends. QS is noted on the VW oil sheet, but I gotta say, I've never seen it in any auto parts store I've been in.
Regarding the sludge letter - are you the original owner? If not, did you file a change of ownership card with VWoA?
Here is the letter and the list, in jpeg format:
http://70.84.30.212/~dpham00/passat/vwsludge1.jpg
http://70.84.30.212/~dpham00/passat/vwsludge2.jpg
http://70.84.30.212/~dpham00/passat/vwsludge3.jpg
A couple of things about that list - first, the only oils I have found on the shelf to meet VW502.00 spec are Mobil 1 0w-40 and Valvoline SYnpower 5W-40. Advance Auto, Autozone and NAPA stores carry one or both. Second, although the list carries Valvoline Synpower 5w-30, e-mails from Valvoline (and their website) reveal that it does not meet VW502.00. Interestingly, though, Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic in the 5w-30 does meet 502.00. I suppose it's a typo on VW's part or they are referring to Valvoline's European product line. None of which helps the situation of consumers trying to comply with the spec. They could have done a better job handling this, IMO.
There isn't any 5w-40 what? QS? I've never seen it. Any 5w-40 from any manufacturer? Valvoline Synpower comes in that grade - I've used it for about 5 oil changes. See my other post. I'm running Mobil 1 0w-40 right now through this weird weather winter! Geez, December was freezing and now it has been unseasonably warm this week (not that I'm complaining!). 66 degrees in SW PA in January!
As for synthetic vs regular oil, VW has only required synthetics beginning with the '05 models. The letter, thanks for taking the time to scan and include those. I printed it out, says to maintain your oil change scheduling of 5,000/6mo.
I'm still waiting for my BP mechanic to print out my service record. Hopefully soon. Then I'll take it all down to the dealership.
You wrote: As for synthetic vs regular oil, VW has only required synthetics beginning with the '05 models.
Yes, theoretically that may true. But like I said, when I read all of the oil stuff in my '03 manual and looked on the web to see what oils actually hit the mark, I was left with the conclusion that I needed to use 5w-40 synthetic. So that's what I've been using on a 5,000 mile / six month interval. In actuality, I'm probably averaging about 4,200 miles between changes - I hit the 6 months before I hit the 5K.
Good luck with engine and the dealer. I hope it all works out.
PS: How many miles were on the car when you bought it and how many now?
We shall see. I see a fire fight ensuing!
tom
And I quote: "If SAE 5w-40 is not available,you can also use viscosity grade SAE 5w30 or SAE 0w40 as long as it meets VW oil quality standard VW502.00"
:shades:
My new problem is that recent sigthing (and buying ;-) shows that 502.00 disappeared from Mobil 1 0w40 container. It says that it fulfills VW spec but does not name 502.00.
Any ideas?
Krzys
PS When I was buying my 2003 1.8T Passat I asked the service advisor about oil. I knew from the Internet that VW strongly suggests using synthetic even though they did not word it strongly (yet - it changed with sludge letter and addenum). The answer was - we use our regular oil. I was bringing my own Mobil 1 0w40 (bought from Walmart or AutoZone) ever since.
A second possibility is the power steering. Here I have used LubeGard Power Steering Fluid Protectant. Make sure you turn the wheels full left and right after adding the product.
http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/RotellaTSynthetic.pdf
If you are referring to Shell Helix 5w-40 it does meet 502.00 as per:
http://www.shell-lubricants.com/products/pdf/HELIX%20ULTRA.PDF
I'm still sticking to my comment that no manufacturer makes a regular (dino juice) 5w-40.
I've read elsewhere on the web that this is due to damage of Exxon-Mibil's facilities by Hurricane Katrina. They've reformulated the oil but haven't submitted it for any approvals since it's a temprorary change. I just sent an e-mail to Mobil 1 to see wht their response is. I'll post it here.
I'm thinking when I change my oil in the spring, I'll switch back to Valvoline Synpower 52-40, unless the 0w-40 has the certifications back on the bottle.
BTW, I had the same reaction from my dealership as you did. If I just pulled in and said, "Change the oil and filter," they'd have poured in dino juice. Without fail, I have always brought my own synthetic oil for the change. It's never been a problem and I've watched the tech pour the stuff in for the first couple of changes. They've been straight up about it and have no problems with what I'm doing.
He said that there was no problem running the reformulated Mobil 1 0w-40 in the 1.8T. Also told me that their plants are back on line after being down for three months so we should start to see the old formula back on the shelves very soon (with the API and VW 502.00 specs on the label again).
Any chance that water froze and transmission was unable to shift. I guess one needs to wait for warmer weather.
Krzys
Wonder if the car has the infamous water leakage issue and the transmission control module/computer got wet? It's under the front seats like the Comfort Control Module is.
Also, when you push the windshield defrost button on the climatronic, everything is fine until you start driving. The fan speed will continuous change from very slow to very high. As soon as you slow down, the fan speed levels off.
Does anybody have a tip on what can cause these problems?
Thank you.
It is bad thing that it happened but I do not think that it has any long time repercussions.
Krzys
PS My father in law had his half axle snap but it was car repaired after accident.
See article: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/call7forhelp/6216572/detail.html
Passat 2006+ Topic
Right before Christmas '05 my wife called. When she hit the set button for cruise the car stop going(engine ran fine but press the accerlerator no go power) on the interstate. I told her to turn the car off and restart it. She did and everything worked fine. I dropped the car off at the dealership on Dec 28 for 60K maintenance and check the issue my wife had. They called next day couldn't find and issue and the computer didn't have any errors. Their service manager took it out and called me while he was driving it and it happened to him.
Too late to make this story short but it is now over 6 weeks it has been at the dealership and they know what happend.
There is a sensor in the antifreeze reservoir. This sensor is molded into the reservoir. The sensor has allowed antifreeze to leak into the wires. I mean under the wire insulation! The antifreeze has traveled the wiring harnesses under the hood (they all have to be replaced) and has reached the following;
1. The accelerator pedal module (must be replaced)
2. The dash gauges (must be replaced)
3. The interior carpet (must be replaced because it pooled underneath)
My bill is estimated at $4,375. VW Customer Care says they will pay $500 of the bill becasue "it is out of warranty". As I asked the gentleman at VW Customer Care, "What does the mileage have to do with this problem, the car is not even 2 years old?" The Regional VW Rep has made his decision.
I have owned 6 VW since 1985. I have a '97 Passat with 134K on it in my garage that I owned since new. I can't believe VW has taken this position. My heart is seriously broken over this whole ordeal. I love my '04 Passat, and this is the only problem I have had. My maintenance has been done by the dealership religiously and on time.
of owning it, I havae had several warning light including "check engine light" and " check gas cap" light come on.
what should I do now?
I took it by the dealership tonight and was told I could still drive it if the light is not flashing, until they get to it!!!
any suggestions?
signed, angry mad new passat owner :mad:
I have heard a lot of warning lights coming on for the 2006 Passat. I had a 2003 Passat GLS 1.8t/Tip ans was thinking of buying out the lease but VW Credit had no deals on this and interest rate was horrible. I liked my 2003 design better than the 2006, unfortunately, and went with an Acura this time. I was also concerned about first year quality of a new VW model with their low quality ratings, and, unfortunately, my suspicions appear to have some verification based on what I read.
Good luck in getting your issue resolved.
Krzys
1- When the car is in drive and idling at a stop, there is occasionally a rumbling in the engine, almost like a hesitation before a stall. The car has never stalled but it does this quite often. My mechanic, (not the VW dealer), changed the spark plugs, fuel and gas filter. In addition, he put in a can of injector cleaner and said to let it run through a tank of gas. Well, that was about a thousand miles ago and it is still doing it. I don't know if this has anything to do with the sludge problem or not. No idiot light has come on and the performance of the car still seems ok.
2- The car has a loud noise coming from , what I think is the front driver wheel. It sounds like a hole in the muffler but it is not. The mechanic says it is a wheel bearing but he can't tell which front wheel it is. He wants me to drive it until it's louder and he can tell, he says it won't harm anything. That was about three thousand miles ago and it still seems loud to me. He still can't tell for sure he says. Has anyone else had this problem.
3- Right rear passenger power window and lock don't work. Mechanic fixed it once and next day it wouldn't work. He then fixed it with a clamp on the connection and it worked for about three weeks. Now it doesn't work again.
If anyone has any ideas or thoughts I would appreciate it. I bought the car new and have had no real problems with it up until now. It worries me about the engine in particular.
Sorry for the length. Thanks for your help.
I wonder how it was fixed. That is all.
Krzys
As long as will be replacing these items, makes some sense to look at new shocks/springs - and might as well do so all the way around, just to maintain "harmony"...
Beyond a "reasonable" price, goal is to achieve a Slight lowering and firm up cornering / braking, without giving up too much by way of ride quality.
VW sold an "OE Sport" suspension package at one time that Promised just these characteristics. And H&R sells a set of "OE Sport Springs" that would seem to fit the bill: BUT, what Shocks should they be mated to?
Eibach sells a "Pro-System" - shocks and springs - that spec About 1.2" lowering -- slightly more than the OE Sport springs themselves (presumably when fitted to "stock" shocks).
Have also seen a combo of Koni Sport Shocks with Eibach Pro-kit springs that spec the same 1.2" lowering.
Is 1.2" - more-or-less - enough to worry about Alignment issues?
Car is effectively out of service until a decision is made, parts ordered & received - AND installed(!).
Any experiences? Thoughts?
Thanks......
I have an 03 Passat GLX 4motion sedan. Recently, a tire has failed and I've been using the spare. The dealer quoted me abt $175 for a new tire but I turned it down. Can someone recommend a good cheap tire that I can purchase? Car has abt 32k trouble free miles. Reason for the *cheap* approach is b/c I will be trading in the vehicle this fall. Nothing wrong with the car - just bored with it
Thanks!
Always have tried to keep 4 of the same tire on the ground, as mismatch can cause problems (and understood that that is ESPECIALLY TRUE on an AWD vehicle).
In any event, would recommend At Least running same tires on each axle - which means buying TWO new ones.
- OR, check around at local Tire Stores (Discount Tire or Whatever...) and see whether they have any "take offs" that would fit.
Can sometimes get quite a bargain on a Slightly Used set of tires - or a matched pair (usually All Season / Touring variety) that someone has exchanged for a set Hi Perf ones.
$175 may seem like a lot of $$ to spend, but Tires are NOT a good place to get Cheap....
Good Luck -