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All approved oils are synthetic, mostly 5W40 and 0W40.
Krzys
The only 5W30 synthetic oils vw recommends:
- Pennzoil-Quaker State European Formula Ultra
-Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula Ultra
-Valvoline Synpower
If you check Valvoline's website, you'll find that Synpower 5w-30 (as available in the US and Canada) is NOT 502.00 compliant. Only 5w-40 Synpower is compliant. Also Valvoline MaxLife Synthetic 5w-30 is compliant. VW got it wrong in the sludge letter.
Also, to get to the oil filter, you'll need to remove the coolant reservoir. You don't need to disconnect it - just unscrew the screws and move it to the side to access the oil filter.
And I am sure others will reiterate this: Make sure you use a VW oil filter (should be a rather large one) and use 5w40 or 0w40 motor oil. 5w40 is available at NAPA and 0w40 at various places (I know Advance Auto Parts carries it).
I know when you remove the filter, a lot of oil comes out, so be prepared to soak it up with something. You'll see what I mean when you get it off.
Couple of alternatives and pointers - As an alternative ot moving the coolant reservoir on the 1.8T, I've seen VW techs at my dealer unscrew the clamp on the air intake hose at the manifold and move it to gain access to the oil filter. It works at least as well as moving the coolant tank, if not better (only one thing to unscrew and you're less likely to lose the hose clamp versus dropping one of the coolant tank screws.
Another tip I observed at the dealership - the techs use a large plastic cup (like a "big gulp" cup) to capture the oil that leaks when removing the oil filter. They loosen the filter a bit and then place the cup around the filter and then unscrew the filter. Works quite well - virtually no engine clean up required.
Lastly, for the first time DIY'ers - don't confuse the transmission drain plug with the engine oil drain plug. Don't laugh! I've read it over and over on a few other dedicated Passat forums around the web.
The VW 502.00 spec oil that I use for my wife's 2003 Passat GLS 1.8T is Castrol Syntec 5w40. Here's a link to the site where I order it from:
http://www.proformanceusa.com/mall/castrol_automotive_syntec.asp
It goes for $7.15/bottle. Think of it as sludge insurance (or VW warranty insurance). Sometimes you just have to take matters into your own hands...
And make sure you change the oil every 5000 miles (and not one mile over) to keep all of your bases covered.
If you're a Mobil 1 fan, use the 0w-40 variety - it has the 502.00 spec approval right on the label. NAPA and Pep Boys carry 5w-40 Valvoline Synpower, as an alternative.
The "068" larger filter is part of the anti-sludge solution cobbled together by VW. It slightly increases the total oil capacity of the 1.8T engine (which has an incredibly small oil sump considering it's a turbo).
I personally don't think using the original filter (06A) will really hurt you, as long as you're using the proper synthetic oil (502.00 approved) and sticking to an oil change interval of 5,000 miles or less. But if I had my druthers, I'd go with the bigger filter (which was OEM to the early 1990's VW diesel engines).
Thanks in advance for any help.
I can tell you categorically that the halogen bulb can be replaced without changing the entire headlight. It's a little bit of a chore, but the bulbs can be removed without removing the headlight from the car. There are online instructions on some of the other internet forums for the Passat (rules here prohibit me from giving you a link).
I hope she got kissed...
Oh, and BTW, the owner's manual for the '03 will refer you to the dealer for headlight replacement. There are no instructions (I know - I've got an '03). It's another of the great outrages about the Passat owner's manual.
At the very least, I'd complain about this to the service manager or even VWoA. This would be the last time I darkened that service department's doorway.
You can get the attachment parts at your dealer or at ESC Tuning -
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi/?html=learnmore.html&productID=2998
And if the mechanic threw away the attachment hardware, I'd send him the bill for the replacement parts 'cause it's gonna cost you $40+.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the tip.
I've been using mid-grade (89 octane) and even regular (87 octane) in my 2004 1.8T sedan, with no ill effects whatsoever. There is no knocking, no decline in performance, no decreased fuel mileage.
I've read that car manufacturers often specify premium gas to give their engines an aura of being more exotic and higher performance. Further I've read that use of regular does not hurt the engine, void the warranty, or have any other detrimental effect, provided there is no pre-ignition. Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
As far as your gas choice: I think you MAY be right as to whether regular gas (non-premium) will hurt your engine. I believe the 1.8t engine will compensate for inferior octane gas. But, you are losing performance when you use 87 or 89 octane. I guess my question is: Why buy a VW Passat when you can't or won't maintain it as the manufacturer specifies? If you can't afford the synthetic oil or premium gas, buy a Honda or Toyota. That is something I have NEVER understood. People buy a high(er) performance car and then skimp on gas which only save you about $2.50 per fill up. It's not that much money your saving if you really look at it.
As far as your statement "I've read that car manufacturers often specify premium gas to give their engines an aura of being more exotic and higher performance".
Where did you read that? That is a bunch of crap. These days, manufacturers are trying to extend service intervals, require regular gas vs premium to try and save the car buyer $$. It's a great marketing tool to tell potential buyers that oil changes are only need at 15K miles (Porsche's).
:confuse:
The skidpad greatly reduces drag under the car, and should result in better gas milage.
The owner's manual states "..... If engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5W-30." The next paragraph discusses the designations that must appear on the container - VW500 oo, etc. The oil I bought had the API Service SJ designation, which is shown in the manual. There is no mention of synthetic oil.
However I wish I had used the larger VW oil filter.
As for the gasoline grade, my owners manual states: "Do not use any fuel with octane ratings lower than 87 AKI ......."
91 AKI is recommended, but not required.
Unlike you, I have trouble understanding why people would willingly pay extra money for NO perceivable benefit. I can not tell any performance difference between a tankful of premium, and a tankful of regular. So why would I voluntarily fork over an extra $4.00 a fill-up (price difference in my area) for something that provides no benefit?
I've been using mid-grade (89 octane) and even regular (87 octane) in my 2004 1.8T sedan, with no ill effects whatsoever. There is no knocking, no decline in performance, no decreased fuel mileage.
I don't think you can measure the performance accurately enough to determine this. However, Car and Driver did the measurements: you can find the full article on their website:
link title
Here's their bottomline:
"The results were more dramatic with the test cars that require premium fuel. The turbocharged Saab's sophisticated Trionic engine-control system dialed the power back 9.8 percent on regular gas, and performance dropped 10.1 percent at the track. Burning regular in our BMW M3 diminished track performance by 6.6 percent, but neither the BMW nor the Saab suffered any drivability problems while burning regular unleaded fuel...."
and
"Cheapskates burning regular in cars designed to run on premium fuel can expect to trim performance by about the same percent they save at the pump. If the car is sufficiently new and sophisticated, it may not suffer any ill effects, but all such skinflints should be ready to switch back to premium at the first sign of knock or other drivability woes.
Good luck (me thinks you will need it!).
"The owner's manual states "..... If engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W-40 is not available, you can also use SAE 5W-30." The next paragraph discusses the designations that must appear on the container - VW500 oo, etc. The oil I bought had the API Service SJ designation, which is shown in the manual. There is no mention of synthetic oil. "
You need to pick up the latest brochure at the dealer on this very topic. It's pretty darn adamant that 502.00 spec oil must be used in all 1.8T engines from 1998 through 2004. That means synthetic, BTW. It goes on to say you can use non-compliant oil but only up to a half quart, if no other oil is available and the dipstick is at or below the bottom of the crosshatch section. This supersedes the owner's manual.
VW sent a letter to owners of 1.8T Passats that stats that only 502.00 (?) spec oils could be used. It happens that this list has mostly 5W40 and 0W40 oils (1 or 2 5W30 if I am not mistaken) but no 5W20 is present.
So ...
VW does not say that you need synthetic oil but the only oils that meet VW spec are synthetic ones.
Krzys
Krzys
So, you asked, why would I be willing to spend more money of premium gas and Synthetic oil? Cause thats what VW recommends for my car to run the way it was engineered to run.
No need to apologize (not that you have)....it just sounds as though you are a little under informed. Hopefully, we have helped you become a more informed Passat owner.
I do have a question for you........why do YOU think VW recommends Synthetic and premium gas in there 1.8t cars? Do you think it is just to cause the owners to spend more $$??
Good luck
Thanks for the information. My next oil change will be with the VW specified synthetic.
Have they fixed the issue for the 2005 model year?
Thanks for all the comments on the regular/premium gas as well.
Unfortunately, there really isn't an issue to fix. I am sure, from now on, VW will specify synthetic oil for the remaining current style Passats and the new body style Passat's with the 2.0t engine. From the beginning, VW should of specified Syn oil over standard Dino oil. Good luck with your Passat and enjoy!!!
Then, this entire issue would be put to rest!
On the gas issue, I think there are a couple of likely explanations:
Performance
If you want to maximize the performance of your Passat, premium is necessary. I think the gain is marginal, but I don't argue that it isn't there. Now I am not in the habit of racing my Passat, and rarely do I feel a need to eke out every last bit of acceleration as I pull away from the stop light or merge on to the highway. But, if this is important to you, then by all means, buy premium.
Marketing
Please don't be too quick to dismiss this, because I believe a person would have to be a little naive to think it isn't considered by the manufacturer. Marketing considerations are the prime consideration for corporate decision making.
A car in which premium is the recommended fuel will indicate to at least some buyers, that it has a sophistication beyond the competition that requires only regular. VW prides itself on its German engineering, and part of that means a more state of the art powerplant. State of the art powerplants must require premium - so goes the thinking.
I am NOT arguing that there is no benefit to using premium. But I am skeptical that it is worth the additional cost for the average driver. My own experience supports this line of thinking.
As for the oil issue, I didn't know that VW recommended synthetics until I read it in this forum. VW did not communicate it to me.
That being said, I do think the level of concern expressed in this forum may be a wee bit exaggerated. Having done a little research, I find that the number of vehicles that have actually experienced the oil sludge problem is some small fraction of one percent. Most of those vehicles did not have their oil changed at the recommended intervals. Perhaps this number will go up as the effected group of cars age.
And having said that, yes, I plan to switch to synthetics for future oil changes. Synthetics offer other advantages beyond the elimination of the sludge factor - decreased engine friction with a small operating efficiency increase and perhaps a slightly longer life. As I tend to keep my cars for long periods - 10 or 12 years, this is important to me.
By education and profession I am an engineer. Rarely do I accept things at face value. I want to go deeper and understand the reasons beneath the surface. Life would be less complicated if accepted everything that I was told, or that I read, but that is not my nature.
Cheers.
I put premium in my 05 Passat GLX V6 because that is whats recommended which is $3.00 more per tank then regular.
Which equals:
$2.20 Haagen-dazs Almond Bar
$3.20 Starbucks
$2.25 Happy hour well drink
$5.33 #2 In-Out Burger
in the big picture of things it's really no more than what I throw away elsewhere.
just my $.03
The CARFAX shows no problems; only one owner. All service documented. Edmunds has ~$7,300 FMV trade-in/~$10,600 retail. Does this look like a good buy?
This is my first car purchase, and I don't want to get fleeced.
Also: When do you say, "could I take this car to my mechanic to have it checked out first?"
Thanks!
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#7749 of 7750 Re: 06 passat- a no show [markcincinnati] by altair4 Apr 04, 2005 (1:24 pm)
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...And don't forget to factor in the steep decline in the value of the dollar versus the Euro. It's going to make all European assembled cars more expensive.
#7750 of 7750 money pit passat by ihatevwpassat Apr 04, 2005 (2:42 pm)
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I am here to advise EVERYONE to STAY AWAY from purchase of a Passat. It is a highly expensive pile of junk!!!
I am so angry that I am ready to drive my '99 Passat thru a dealership window.
It has bled me dry in the 3 years I have had it (bought it from a dealer w/ 32,000miles on it) in SPITE of how carefully and dutifully I have taken care of it. The problems started the second year of ownership and I now have 92,000 miles on it.
I am the only driver. I don't drive it in rush hour traffic (I live in a sparsley populated area and am close to work.)
Over half the miles are freeway drives on the weekend.
And STILL it is constantly breaking down----computer resets (4x in 3 yrs.)or part replacements. For instance, in the last 12 months ALONE I have had these expensive repairs:
1.Control Arms (no, VW has not remimbursed me for this repair I had done b-4 the recall)
2.Thermostat
3. Oil Leak
4. Temperature Sensor
5.Ignition Module
There must be others out there w/ just as lousy an experience.....and I even owned 2 different air-cooled VW vans from the 70's which ran FAR BETTER than this in spite of going 120,000 miles in each one!!!!!
I can't afford to NOT repair it since I can't sell it this way but I can't afford another car either as my down payment has been spent on repairs. OOOOOOO, I am so angry!
ihatevwpassat
;-)
Krzys
Weird, but I thought I'd follow up on this, in case someone else has the problem.
thanks.
Has anybody else had this problem, and can you suggest possible solutions?
Does anyone have a similar issue or know what is the problem?
Overdrive torn - replaced tranny
Radiator crack and leaking fluid into the transmission causing it not to build pressure - almost required a new tranny.
Body valve and shift solenoid need serving.