I'm curious to see what type of synthetic oil everybody prefers. I haven't had my car long enough to develop an informed opinion about what type of oil to use, but I'd like to see what all you seasoned Audi-ers have to say.

So what's everybody's pick on the best brand of synthetic oil?

And yes, I realize that I spelled "timeless" wrong in the thread title. I'm a gear head, not a rocket scientist.

 

Penzoil platinum 5w-30 for 36k miles... Haven't tried anything else but it holds up well and my engine runs smooth. I change oil/filter every 5k

 

I don;t know how timeless this debate is considering there is an approved oils list on the Audi website. The fan favorites amongst many are Mobil and Castrol.

 

Mobil 1

 

My 2005 B7's manual states that 5W40 VW502.00 is the recommended oil, and to use other weights when 5W40 is not available. This points to Syntec.

 

I just got off the phone with a Quaker State technical rep and he advised that Quaker State Q Horsepower 5W-40 Synthetic Oil meets the VW 502 00 standard.

 

mobile 1

 

I like running that zero weight stuff up here in new england winters.

 

mobil 1 but....this timeless debate is useless one. All the synthetics are synthetics and by brand would only differ so slightly from each other. Any differences that should be debated would not be on brand, but on weight and which to use in your driving climate

 

From my understanding there is a difference between European grades of oil and US grades. This gives a difference in wights to be used.

If using European oil, such as Pentosin, the owners manual can be followed, (5W-40). When using US graded oils, such as Mobil 1 or Castrol, the only one's that meet the standard are either a 0W30 or 40 (don't remember which). But if you look on the side of the bottle it will have the VW grade VW502.00 or VW505.00 if it meets the standard.

I've had many different responses from parts guys and mechanics and there's always a problem with oil grade and synthetic or not. (BTW European non-synthetic has higher specs that US non-synthetic). But if you keep to the oils with the VW standards you should be fine (other oils may work also but I'm not going to recommend them) and I'd recommend any of the three mentioned above, my engine is very clean inside (I've looked a few times) and no sludge build up is showing.

One last note is I change my oil and filter at the recommended 10k mark nearly every time. However depending on your driving patterns that's not for everyone; I drive at least 20 miles each time the key is turned so the oil doesn't get as much stress as many of you might have.

Good luck in your search for 'the right oil' for you.