After confirming that I did in fact get hosed by my local car shop ("Did I get hosed?" post on 8/8) I thought I'd check to see if the Mobile 1 Syn. oil they gave me (7 qts. of 0W-30) is the appropriate oil for my car? I've researched past posts on this sight and haven't seen many people using it. [/align][/align]FYI, I 'm not too sure what the different oil types mean (10W-40, 0W-30, etc.) so it never dawned on me to suggest one when I brought the car in. Man, am I the biggest sucker around or what[sm=headbang.gif]
Thanks again for your thoughts. Joe.[/align][/align]
SIG:
2003 A6 2.7t (Tip)(98,000 miles)
Premium/Cold Weather/Luxury Packages
K&N air filter
Denzo Power Iridium spark plugs
Bosch oil filter

[/align]

 

I always used 5-30 Mobil One. No problem using 0-30, perfect for colder climates too!

 

I use Mobil10W-20 in the winter and 5W-30 in the summer. The basic differenceis viscosity. The lower the number, the easier the oil will flow in cold weather(think water as opposed to molasses) and the higher the number, the thicker it will be in hot weather or when the engine is working hard.I want to ensure my turbos receive a good oil flow in cold weather. My oil temperature rangesfrom 225-250o at highway speeds, so in the summer I look to the -30 weight to keep the oil from thinning too much. It needs to be thin enough to lube the high spin turbos and thick enough to lube the crankshaft bearings.

The following is brought to you by the miracle of GOOGLE:

Oil weight, or viscosity, refers to how thick or thin the oil is. The temperature requirements set for oil by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is 0 degrees F (low) and 210 degrees F (high).

Oils meeting the SAE's low temperature requirements have a "W" after the viscosity rating (example: 10W), and oils that meet the high ratings have no letter (example SAE 30). An oil is rated for viscosity by heating it to a specified temperature, and then allowing it to flow out of a specifically sized hole. Its viscosity rating is determined by the length of time it takes to flow out of the hole. If it flows quickly, it gets a low rating. If it flows slowly, it gets a high rating.

Engines need oil that is thin enough for cold starts, and thick enough when the engine is hot. Since oil gets thinner when heated, and thicker when cooled, most of us use what are called multi-grade, or multi-viscosity oils. These oils meet SAE specifications for the low temperature requirements of a light oil and the high temperature requirements of a heavy oil. You will hear them referred to as multi-viscosity, all-season and all-weather oils. An example is a 10W-30 which is commonly found in stores.

Info on Mobil1:




What's the difference between a fully synthetic and a synthetic blend motor oil?



All motor oils are made up of base oils and additives. In general, fully synthetic motor oils contain non-conventional, high-performance fluids. Semi-synthetic oils (also called "blends") usually use a small percentage of non-conventional, high-performance fluids in combination with conventional base oil.










Mobil 1 0W-20

Mobil 1 0W-30

Mobil 1 0W-40

Mobil 1 5W-20

Mobil 1 5W-30

Mobil 1 10W-30

Mobil 1 15W-50

 

Thanks for the oil-101 lesson ppgoal. I tried a few times and ech source was way too technical for my perochial brain. Speaking of which, I'd like to askanother dumb question: I also have an 03' A6 2.7t, whatdoes the MT6 mean in your SIG (Manual 6speed?) and how can I tell exactly what model I have (w/specificacronyms)?

Thanks again

 

I think 0W-30 on a 98k miles motor is okay only when it's -15c winter. During summer, I would use 10W-40 synthetic of course. (with age gaps between engine parts get bigger so heavier oil works more apropriate)
Do you have a repari manual? It will tell you what oil to use. Also good idea to learn a few DIY things like oil changes, so you don't get screwed in the shops and know that the job is done properly, if you care a lot for your car.

 

You guessed right: MT6 is a 6-speed manual transmission.

Your sig looks to be pretty much on the money.


As for oils, Mobil 1 meets/exceeds Audi's VW 520 00 spec, which is sorta the bible as to what Audi recommends for what kind of lube spins around the engine.
Check this out: http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/....0004.File.pdf

A lot / most of those oils aren't available in the USA, but you can mail order them if you like.I've been partial to Agip for a long time.....if you can find it in theStates.

-Red

 

Maybe I missed it. I understand what the first number means (10W, 5W, etc). But what does the second number mean?

 

cold vicosity, hot viscosity

 

Okay. So should we follow our manuals, or follow the region in which we live? Here in Chicago, it's hot as he!! in the summer and cold as he!! in the winter.

 

Manual tellss you the proper range for certain temperatures. Like mine says oil from 5w30 to 15W40 or something like that. So when it's cold I'll use 5w30, when it's hot as he!! I'll use 15W40. If I live in Texas, I'll always use 15w40 =)
Whne it's really really cold, you can use lighter oil 0w something. When it's really hot and your car got a lot of miles, you can use heavier like 20w somethinbg.

Some people like to just use 0W40 all the time, it covers all the range, but I've read that might be not best idea.