Castrol 5W-40

> What is the VW specification noted if any?
>

Ah, yes, good question -- it's the 505.01 spec oil that VW reportedly
uses for factory fill. The synthetic oil that's spec'd for PD turbo
diesel engines, in other words. Has been very hard to find in the US,
but since it is appearing in Auto Zone, it's apparently going to be much
easier to find, now.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

> Probably a good assumption, but the text in the data sheet... "SAE 5W-40: is
> engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine warranty
> requirements..." sounds like what you are describing. Like I said, my local
> Auto Zone doesn't have the product, so I can't look at the label myself.
> What area are you in? The Auto Zone web site does not list a Castrol Syntec
> 5W40 product at all as far as I can find.
>
> Did the bottles you saw say "Syntec" on them, or something else? Was it
> marked 'made in Belgium' or some such?

That Auto Zone is right next door to the supermarket where I shop, so I
stopped in there this evening to read the label again -- I know, I
really need a hobby -- and the one bottle of it they had the other day
was gone, and in its place was a bunch of Syntec 5W40 with labels that
read "Superior European technology now blended in the US." It carried
VW specs 505.00 and 502.00. So, Castrol is now making 5W40 in the US,
though it's unclear whether it's a true Group IV synthetic, or is a
pseudo-synthetic like the rest of the Syntec line.

The bottle I saw the other day very definitely said "Made in Belgium" on
the bottle, and though I can no longer prove it, I'll swear it carried
the VW 505.01 spec.

I also misspoke in my earlier post -- Mobil 1 0W40 is rated 502.00 and
505.00, but not 505.01 -- but it is a Group IV oil.

So, let's just forget I said anything at all, okay?
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

Hi folks,

Checking the Product data sheet for Castrol Syntec available at:
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAG.../local_
[usual URL-wrap warning in effect]

they say:
"SAE 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
warranty requirements,
exceeding VW 502 00 and 505 00. Exceeds all car and light truck
manufacturer's warranty
requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines
where API SL, SJ, SH,
CF or CD is recommended. Porsche approved and also exceeds European ACEA:
A3, B3, B4, MB
229.3, MB 229.1, BMW LL-98. Meets the engine protection requirements of
Volvo, BMW,
Mercedes Benz and ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils."

But the Auto Zone store near me (suburban Seattle area) didn't have it in
stock when I checked today.

The above specs appears to satisfy all VW requirements as stated in my
owner's manual (2006 GTI [A4])

- Jim K

"Joseph Meehan" <sligojoe_Spamno DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eicxf.33631$%D1.27361@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com...
> Brian Running wrote:
>> The full-synthetic, made-in-Belgium Castrol 5W-40, recently appeared
>> in my local Auto Zone stores, at $4.99 per quart. It's now labeled
>> for the American market, with "For Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen"
>> prominently appearing on the label.
>>
>> No longer a dealer-only item -- not cheap, but certainly cheaper than
>> the dealers are charging.
>
> What is the VW specification noted if any?
>
> --
> Joseph Meehan
>
> Dia duit
>
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

> Checking the Product data sheet for Castrol Syntec available at:
> http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAG.../local_
> [usual URL-wrap warning in effect]
>
> they say:
> "SAE 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
> warranty requirements,
> exceeding VW 502 00 and 505 00.

From what I've read, I understand there's some confusion about
Castrol's product line. The "Syntec" synthetic oils sold in the US are
not true, Group IV synthetic oils. The only Group IV synthetic that
Castrol sells in the US is the made-in-Belgium 5W40. It's also my
understanding that the only oils that meet the VW 505.01 spec are true
Group IV synthetics. The only US-made oil I'm aware of that is both a
true Group IV oil and meets 505.01 is Mobil 1 0W40.

It's not entirely clear, but I assume that the product data sheet you
found on the Castrol US site lists the US-market Syntecs, not the
Belgian, Group IV 5W40.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

Brian,

Said what?

Interesting since, as I say, I can't locate ANY Castrol 5W40 Syntec AT ALL
on the Auto Zone web site. According to the local store, they should have
all products they sell listed there. Hmmm.

Tomorrow, I'm going to phone Castrol US and just see what they have to say.
I'm unclear on these VW oil specs. Is there somewhere online I can see
them?

My 2006 GTI owner's manual says "...the following terms must appear on the
oil container singly or in combination with other designations:"

VW 502 00 or VW500 00 or VW501 01
ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
API Service SJ

- Jim K

"Brian Running" <brunning.DeleteThis@xxtds.netxx> wrote in message
news:43c5c1f1$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
>> Probably a good assumption, but the text in the data sheet... "SAE 5W-40:
>> is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine warranty
>> requirements..." sounds like what you are describing. Like I said, my
>> local Auto Zone doesn't have the product, so I can't look at the label
>> myself. What area are you in? The Auto Zone web site does not list a
>> Castrol Syntec 5W40 product at all as far as I can find.
>>
>> Did the bottles you saw say "Syntec" on them, or something else? Was it
>> marked 'made in Belgium' or some such?
>
> That Auto Zone is right next door to the supermarket where I shop, so I
> stopped in there this evening to read the label again -- I know, I really
> need a hobby -- and the one bottle of it they had the other day was gone,
> and in its place was a bunch of Syntec 5W40 with labels that read
> "Superior European technology now blended in the US." It carried VW specs
> 505.00 and 502.00. So, Castrol is now making 5W40 in the US, though it's
> unclear whether it's a true Group IV synthetic, or is a pseudo-synthetic
> like the rest of the Syntec line.
>
> The bottle I saw the other day very definitely said "Made in Belgium" on
> the bottle, and though I can no longer prove it, I'll swear it carried the
> VW 505.01 spec.
>
> I also misspoke in my earlier post -- Mobil 1 0W40 is rated 502.00 and
> 505.00, but not 505.01 -- but it is a Group IV oil.
>
> So, let's just forget I said anything at all, okay?
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

http://www.vw.com/vwcom/content/objects/pdf/service_maint/oilchart.pdf
"JAMES KLOTZ" <jimklotz.TakeThisOut@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:0dkxf.6733$Xo5.5242@trnddc02...
> Brian,
>
> Said what?
>
> Interesting since, as I say, I can't locate ANY Castrol 5W40 Syntec AT ALL
> on the Auto Zone web site. According to the local store, they should have
> all products they sell listed there. Hmmm.
>
> Tomorrow, I'm going to phone Castrol US and just see what they have to
> say. I'm unclear on these VW oil specs. Is there somewhere online I can
> see them?
>
> My 2006 GTI owner's manual says "...the following terms must appear on the
> oil container singly or in combination with other designations:"
>
> VW 502 00 or VW500 00 or VW501 01
> ACEA A2 or ACEA A3
> API Service SJ
>
> - Jim K
>
> "Brian Running" <brunning.TakeThisOut@xxtds.netxx> wrote in message
> news:43c5c1f1$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
>>> Probably a good assumption, but the text in the data sheet... "SAE
>>> 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine warranty
>>> requirements..." sounds like what you are describing. Like I said, my
>>> local Auto Zone doesn't have the product, so I can't look at the label
>>> myself. What area are you in? The Auto Zone web site does not list a
>>> Castrol Syntec 5W40 product at all as far as I can find.
>>>
>>> Did the bottles you saw say "Syntec" on them, or something else? Was it
>>> marked 'made in Belgium' or some such?
>>
>> That Auto Zone is right next door to the supermarket where I shop, so I
>> stopped in there this evening to read the label again -- I know, I really
>> need a hobby -- and the one bottle of it they had the other day was gone,
>> and in its place was a bunch of Syntec 5W40 with labels that read
>> "Superior European technology now blended in the US." It carried VW
>> specs 505.00 and 502.00. So, Castrol is now making 5W40 in the US,
>> though it's unclear whether it's a true Group IV synthetic, or is a
>> pseudo-synthetic like the rest of the Syntec line.
>>
>> The bottle I saw the other day very definitely said "Made in Belgium" on
>> the bottle, and though I can no longer prove it, I'll swear it carried
>> the VW 505.01 spec.
>>
>> I also misspoke in my earlier post -- Mobil 1 0W40 is rated 502.00 and
>> 505.00, but not 505.01 -- but it is a Group IV oil.
>>
>> So, let's just forget I said anything at all, okay?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

> Said what?

Said that Castrol 5W-40 meeting the VW 505.01 spec was now available at
Auto Zone. Apparently, it was a complete fluke that I spotted a bottle
of it there a couple of days ago.

> Interesting since, as I say, I can't locate ANY Castrol 5W40 Syntec AT ALL
> on the Auto Zone web site. According to the local store, they should have
> all products they sell listed there. Hmmm.

Well, it's there -- they'd better update the web site. The important
thing is, the Castrol 5W-40 that's there now is NOT the 505.01 kind.

> Tomorrow, I'm going to phone Castrol US and just see what they have to say.
> I'm unclear on these VW oil specs. Is there somewhere online I can see
> them?

505.01 oil is required by the new PD turbodiesel VWs. Absolutely
required. It's hard as hell to find, and costs an arm and a leg at the
dealers. Your GTI does not need it, you can use 502.00 oil, such as
Mobil 1 0W-40.

To see approved oils, have a gander at this:

http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/Audi_Approved_Oil_Chart.pdf

Note that the 502.00 approved oils are not necessarily true, full-blown
synthetics (in spite of their names), but that all of the 505.01 oils
are. I quit using Castrol Syntec when I found that they had pulled some
hocus-pocus to be able to call it "full synthetic" when it's really not.
Mobil sued Castrol over it, and a court held that Castrol could call
Syntec full synthetic even though it does not use pure synthetic base
stocks.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

Brian Running wrote:

> > "SAE 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
> > warranty requirements,
> > exceeding VW 502 00 and 505 00.
>
> From what I've read, I understand there's some confusion about
> Castrol's product line. The "Syntec" synthetic oils sold in the US are
> not true, Group IV synthetic oils. The only Group IV synthetic that
> Castrol sells in the US is the made-in-Belgium 5W40. It's also my

In fact, the Castrol is a complete mess in this regard. They tend to
change the brands from country to country, so it is possible to buy the
same oil under the different names.

For example, here in europe, in some countries you will get an Castrol
TXT 5W-40 "synthetic". In some other countries you will not find an
TXT, but there is a similar "synthetic" 5W-40 oil called GTX7. Also
there are a lower grade 10W-40 oils sold as GTX5 and even lower grade
GTX3.
BUT, there are yet another group of countries, where they sell an 5W-40
oil called GTX, without any number, which looks very similar to GTX7
and TXT. I bet all of them are produced in the same refineries.
You can't explain this as historical matter, as the oils are relatively
new.

And by saying "synthetic" Castrol apparently means something different,
as they also sell the "fully synthetic" "RS" oil.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

JAMES KLOTZ wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Checking the Product data sheet for Castrol Syntec available at:
> http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAG.../local_
> [usual URL-wrap warning in effect]
>
> they say:
> "SAE 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
> warranty requirements,
> exceeding VW 502 00 and 505 00. Exceeds all car and light truck
> manufacturer's warranty

That sounds a lot like it has not been tested and approved by VW.


>>
>> --
>> Joseph Meehan
>>
>> Dia duit

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

Hi Brian,

By "said what?" I was trying (clumsily apparently) to indicate that I'd
forgotten what you'd said. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Interesting about the Syntec not being full synthetic. That's exactly how
the service guy at my dealer referred to it.

The dealer uses it, gets it direct from VW, so it must meet specs and
warranty requirements for my car. I'm wondering if there's something
better... something I can get that is. If the oils are truly compatible
chemically with each other and with the (I'm assuming) regular Castrol
that's in my car now, I could always swap the something better in without
the dealer knowing it.

Easiest to stay with the Syntec the dealer supplies, but I hate to pay what
they want for it.

Thanks for the link.

- Jim K

"Brian Running" <brunning.RemoveThis@xxtdsxx.net> wrote in message
news:43c5d77f$1_2@newspeer2.tds.net...
>> Said what?
>
> Said that Castrol 5W-40 meeting the VW 505.01 spec was now available at
> Auto Zone. Apparently, it was a complete fluke that I spotted a bottle of
> it there a couple of days ago.
>
>> Interesting since, as I say, I can't locate ANY Castrol 5W40 Syntec AT
>> ALL on the Auto Zone web site. According to the local store, they should
>> have all products they sell listed there. Hmmm.
>
> Well, it's there -- they'd better update the web site. The important
> thing is, the Castrol 5W-40 that's there now is NOT the 505.01 kind.
>
>> Tomorrow, I'm going to phone Castrol US and just see what they have to
>> say. I'm unclear on these VW oil specs. Is there somewhere online I can
>> see them?
>
> 505.01 oil is required by the new PD turbodiesel VWs. Absolutely
> required. It's hard as hell to find, and costs an arm and a leg at the
> dealers. Your GTI does not need it, you can use 502.00 oil, such as Mobil
> 1 0W-40.
>
> To see approved oils, have a gander at this:
>
> http://www.audiusa.com/common/images/Audi_Approved_Oil_Chart.pdf
>
> Note that the 502.00 approved oils are not necessarily true, full-blown
> synthetics (in spite of their names), but that all of the 505.01 oils are.
> I quit using Castrol Syntec when I found that they had pulled some
> hocus-pocus to be able to call it "full synthetic" when it's really not.
> Mobil sued Castrol over it, and a court held that Castrol could call
> Syntec full synthetic even though it does not use pure synthetic base
> stocks.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

Brian and all,

I called and spoke to someone at Castrol US today. I suppose this is old
news, but the woman I spoke with confirmed that the Castrol product that
meets the Group 4 and VW 505.01 specs is their Belgium-made 5W40 synthetic
oil. She seemed at a loss as to how a can of the stuff got onto the shelf
of an Auto Zone store. She said that ONLY VW is importing the stuff for
their turbo diesel vehicles and that the ONLY place one can get it in the US
is at VW dealers.

Additionally, she said that "they hoped" that the Belgian product would
start being imported for more general sale in the US, but that it's unknown
at this time whether or not this will happen. Appeared she thought this was
much dependent on whether VW continues (past 2006) with the current design
of it's turbo diesel engines that require such lubricants (and I suppose
other manufacturers require such as well). She said first it was just
supposed to be a year or two, now it's 2005 and 2006 VW TDI models too and
(at least she) didn't know about the future.

When I said I was having trouble finding the US made 5W40 Syntec, she
recommended I contact my local NAPA store.

I suppose this is just what she's been told to say... I wonder how really
true it all is. I'm just passing on what was said.

- Jim K

"Brian Running" <brunning RemoveThis @xxtds.netxx> wrote in message
news:43c5c1f1$1_3@newspeer2.tds.net...
>> Probably a good assumption, but the text in the data sheet... "SAE 5W-40:
>> is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine warranty
>> requirements..." sounds like what you are describing. Like I said, my
>> local Auto Zone doesn't have the product, so I can't look at the label
>> myself. What area are you in? The Auto Zone web site does not list a
>> Castrol Syntec 5W40 product at all as far as I can find.
>>
>> Did the bottles you saw say "Syntec" on them, or something else? Was it
>> marked 'made in Belgium' or some such?
>
> That Auto Zone is right next door to the supermarket where I shop, so I
> stopped in there this evening to read the label again -- I know, I really
> need a hobby -- and the one bottle of it they had the other day was gone,
> and in its place was a bunch of Syntec 5W40 with labels that read
> "Superior European technology now blended in the US." It carried VW specs
> 505.00 and 502.00. So, Castrol is now making 5W40 in the US, though it's
> unclear whether it's a true Group IV synthetic, or is a pseudo-synthetic
> like the rest of the Syntec line.
>
> The bottle I saw the other day very definitely said "Made in Belgium" on
> the bottle, and though I can no longer prove it, I'll swear it carried the
> VW 505.01 spec.
>
> I also misspoke in my earlier post -- Mobil 1 0W40 is rated 502.00 and
> 505.00, but not 505.01 -- but it is a Group IV oil.
>
> So, let's just forget I said anything at all, okay?
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

> I called and spoke to someone at Castrol US today. I suppose this is old
> news, but the woman I spoke with confirmed that the Castrol product that
> meets the Group 4 and VW 505.01 specs is their Belgium-made 5W40 synthetic
> oil. She seemed at a loss as to how a can of the stuff got onto the shelf
> of an Auto Zone store. She said that ONLY VW is importing the stuff for
> their turbo diesel vehicles and that the ONLY place one can get it in the US
> is at VW dealers.

Cool! I feel pretty special now, having spotted a rogue bottle of
Belgian Castrol, on the loose in an Auto Zone in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Maybe this could become a hobby, sort of like trainspotting...

> When I said I was having trouble finding the US made 5W40 Syntec, she
> recommended I contact my local NAPA store.

As of yesterday, our Auto Zones were fully stocked with the US-made
5W-40. I'm still stickin' with Mobil 1.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40 

In article <%hgxf.9727$Lh1.8007@trnddc01>,
JAMES KLOTZ <jimklotz DeleteThis @verizon.net> wrote:
>Checking the Product data sheet for Castrol Syntec available at:
>http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_syntec_usa.pdf
>[usual URL-wrap warning in effect]
>
>they say:
>"SAE 5W-40: is engineered specifically to meet the Volkswagen engine
>warranty requirements,
>exceeding VW 502 00 and 505 00.
>
>The above specs appears to satisfy all VW requirements as stated in my
>owner's manual (2006 GTI [A4])

But not the VW 505.01 rating needed for TDI engines since the 2004 model
year in the US.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.
 >> Stay informed about: Castrol 5W-40