There's a number of factors. One is the DPF, a cheaper oil will produce more soot as it is inevitably burned off in small quantities and lower the life of your filter. Another is the extended drain interval; the oil must be able to run in various temperature and conditions for 10,000 miles without significant loss of lubrication or deposit buildup. Bottom line: German engines are built to very tight specifications, and although you might be paying a bit more for the oil for them, this is definitely not something I would ever go cheap on.

 

Europe has used ever higher specification oils for a long time, several decades - so even brands that define oil "simply" by API viscosity and ACEA grade are expensive for modern engines because they're very high quality and permit exceptionally long OCI, up to 30,000 miles in a few cases, that's right 48,000 km.

VW seem to specify oil differently, or perhaps it's secretly, so the specific VW Approval needs to be adhered to.

 

Thanks guys. I totally forgot about the soot factor and the diesel part of things.

I have no problem with paying whatever it costs for the oil at all, I just realize that I need to plan ahead and just have some around for when the level drops a bar here or there.

I have been towing the past month and a half and after 4,000 miles since the last oil change, the oil level has been down from 3 bars (12 oz.) to 5 bars (20 oz.) if I had read correctly, each bar is right around 4 oz.

I do like the 10,000 OCI.

 

Of course, Porsche switched to 5k oil changes here for the diesel Cayenne because of our lower fuel quality. This happened early on when the 2013 model came here.

I stick with 10k and have no issues. Plenty of members here change more frequently.

 

507 oil is designed to protect the DPF and cat, and to improve fuel economy. Mercedes has a similar standard, I think with less emphasis on fuel economy so 5w40 oils are allowed.

-J

 

API 5W-30 / ACEA-C3 is used as generic specification on non-VWs to protect the cat, DPF and improve economy so 507 will be similar - BUT - if it doesn't list 507 among it's Approvals, don't use it.

 

My dealer sells Castrol LL03 for under $7 a bottle (liter). Just not worth my time to look for it elsewhere.

 

Can buy Mobil 1 ESP via Amazon for just over $9 a liter delivered. I'm done with teenagers doing maintenance on my cars.

 

The big deal about 505 and 507 is specific protection for cam lobe wear. 507 is for dpf and 505 is non dpf. The way the tdi engine is designed, it requires a specific oil to prevent premature cam lobe wear.

Any modern diesel oil can deal with dpfs, but only 507 can deal with cam lobe wear prevention.

 

The big deal about 505 and 507 is specific protection for cam lobe wear. 507 is for dpf and 505 is non dpf. The way the tdi engine is designed, it requires a specific oil to prevent premature cam lobe wear. Any modern diesel oil can deal with dpfs, but only 507 can deal with cam lobe wear prevention.

It baffles me why anyone would buy a $50K+ premium precision vehicle like the Touareg and then fret over an extra few dollars for an oil change.

 

Low SAPS (low sulfated ash, phosphorus-sulfur)

Diesel Particulate Filters : Comma Oil & Chemicals Ltd.

 

Low SAPS (low sulfated ash, phosphorus-sulfur)

Diesel Particulate Filters : Comma Oil & Chemicals Ltd.

It's a requirement when a car is fitted with a DPF to use ultra-low sulphate diesel and low SAPs oil, otherwise the sulphur destroys the DPF - crude oil's sulphur content varies greatly according to oilfield.

 

OK, which is it about 507 oil? Low SAPS to protect the cats or more lubrication to protect the cams? ZDDP is the usual additive for cam/tappet protection, but that would seem to increase SAPS. So, does anyone know what is the "magic" in 507?

 

507.00 is the best of all

it is low ash for the protection of DPF Catalytic converters and urea after treatment systems
it is fully synthetic for long life - extended drain intervals lowers running costs
it has additives that carry soot in suspension - you don't want that stuff clogging up in one place
it has anti corrosive additives - the sulphur in diesel makes it's way past the rings as blowby and acidifies the oil
it has high shear protection for the bearings and cam rollers
it has detergents to clean your engine
it has additives to stop foaming which is bad for oil pressure
it is viscosity stable to ensure proper protection at various temperatures and cold start

There is more to oil than you think. It's a fancy car with an expensive engine. Relatively 507.00 is dirt cheap. Use it!

 

All you've done is make a list of generic engine oil properties. I worked for the company that makes Mobil 1 (including the Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 that meets 504 00 and 507 00), so I understand that "there is more to oil than you think". My question was more does anyone know what specifically is different about 507 00 oil from other high quality synthetic oils, and not really how can I avoid using VW 507 00 oil.

Maybe I'll go to the Mobil 1 web page and see if I can see any property/additive differences between Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 and "regular" Mobil 1 5W-30.

EDIT: A quick check of the Mobil 1 web page for product specifications indicates that Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 and regular Mobil 1 5W-30 both have the same phosphorus and zinc contents (800 ppm and 900 ppm, the lowest of the Mobil 1 formulations), but Mobil 1 ESP is designated "low SAPS" while regular Mobil 1 is not. So, maybe low SAPS is the key property difference for 507 00.

 

We burn a very small amount of oil and normally drive 8000 to 10000 between oil changes. I had oil changed back in February and we drove about 4000 miles before the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Over the holiday weekend we drove about 2000 miles to our parents home. I checked the oil before we left and it was at the mid point on the stick.

The dealer who changes the oil has a tendency to not fill it completely full. I am not sure why? >:

Well, I checked the oil level this morning and it was near the bottom. I must not have checked the oil on a "level" surface at home.

SO here we are on Memorial Day with 800 mile drive ahead of us in the middle of nowhere Missouri. I was so glad I had an extra 507 quart squirreled away in the back compartment. I think dealer is the only place to buy this oil. We are lucky to be home tonight.

The oil level is still at the top after todays drive. It pays to keep some on hand.

 

Could be the fact that they don't want to pay for the 507 00 cert? I know that's expensive.

 

Everything I've read on the subject seems to be along these lines -- there may be other motor oils that meet the 507 spec but they haven't been submitted to VW for certification. Likewise with the MB spec.

Since there aren't many VW diesels on the road in the US, there isn't much reason to spend the money to gain the certification except for the two biggies (Mobil and Castrol) who sell worldwide.

I can find the Motul stuff at a couple local auto parts stores, but it's under the counter in a glass case like it's some kind of top-shelf scotch or something. I think it's like $12/liter. Never bought it because the Castrol LL03 is so cheap at the dealer.

 

You can get M1 ESP 5W-30 delivered for just over $9 a liter. Pretty decent deal and you don't have to drive anywhere.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You can get a 55 gallon drum of Quaker State Ultimate Durability European L 5W30 delivered for $1580.

That's $7.18/quart!

 

I love threads about motor oil.

 

So do I - especially as I haven't had to add any oil between services to any of my cars for nigh-on 2 million miles now!

I regularly thrash the living daylights out of them yet they [all gassers bar one as in 3 SAABs, 3 Range Rovers, 3 BMWs, 1 Suzuki and 2 VWs] just don't burn oil!!

 

There are many approved 507.00 oils

Volkswagen Oil Standard 504.00 / 507.00 Approved Oils | my-gti.com


Manufacturer Product SAE Class VW Standard
Adamol Adamol Multitop Longlife SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Addinol Addinol Giga light MV 0530 LL SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Addinol Addinol Mega Light MV 0539 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Addinol MEGA STAR SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Aegean Oil Velox Ultra XT SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Agip Agip 7008 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Agip Formula Future SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
AMAG GAMAPARTS Super LongLife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Aral Aral SuperTronic Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Auto-Teile-Ring Cartechnic Motorenöl Multi SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Avia Avia Synth 5W-30 Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Avia Aviasynth LSP plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Avia Avilubsynth LSP Plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
BayWa Tectrol Speed LL 530 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
BayWa Tectrol Speed Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
BP BP Visco 7000 Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Carat ad-High Tech Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol Edge SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol Edge 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional LL03 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Longlife III 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Castrol Castrol TXT 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
CENTRO CENTRO Motoröl Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Cyclon Hellas Cyclon F1 V SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Denicol Denicol Syn Extra Long Life III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Elf Elf Excellium TDI SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Elf Elf Solaris LLX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Emka Superpower C-3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
EPRO Meisteröl WIV Longlife SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Eurol Eurol Syntence SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Finke Aviaction Unique LongLife WIV SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Fuchs Fuchs Sintolux Force V SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN GT1 Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Fuchs Fuchs TITAN GT1 PRO C-3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Galp Galp Formula Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Globus Fachmärkte multilub Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Gulf Gulf Formula GVX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Hunold EUROLUB WIV ECO SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Igol Igol Profive 504/507 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Liqui Moly LIQUI MOLY Pro-Engine M600 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Liqui Moly LIQUI MOLY Top Tec 4200 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Lotos Lotos Quazar LLIII SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mabanol Mabanol Xenon Ultra Synth Longlife SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Meguin megol Motorenoel Compatible SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Millers Oils XF Longlife SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Minerva Minerva TSV SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mitan Alpine Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mitan Mitan Monza GP 5W-30 Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mitan Monza Super Combi SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mobil Mobil 1 ESP Formula SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mobil Mobil SHC Formula V SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Mobil Mobil Super 3000 Formula V SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
MOL MOL Dynamic Gold Longlife SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Motor Oil Hellas EMO SYNTO MAX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Motul Feu Vert 50400 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Motul Motol Specific 504 00 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Motul Motul 8100 X-clean + SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Neste Oil Neste City Pro W Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Norsk-Pennsylvansk DynoCat Voltron LL SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Oel-Brack Midland Crypto-3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Ölwerke Julius Schindler OJS Econo-Veritas Longlife III 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
OMV OMV BIXXOL special V7 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Paz Lubricants & Chemicals Ltd Paz Extreme 507.00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum VX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Pennzoil Pennzoil Platinum VX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Pennzoil Pennzoil Ultra Euro L SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Penrite Oil ENVIRO + SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Pentosin Pento Super Performance III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Petronas Petronas Syntium 5000 AV SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Quaker State Q Diesel Plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Quaker State Q European Engine VX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Quaker State QS Q Diesel Plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Quaker State QS Ultimate Durability European L SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Quaker State Quaker State Q Diesel Plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Ravenol Ravenol Vollsynthetisches Multioel Protect VMP SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Ravenol RAVENOL WIV III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
real,- real,-Quality GSL SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Repsol Repsol Elite Longlife 50700/50400 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Rowe Hightec Ecosynt Longlife III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Rowe Multi Synt DPF SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shanghai Lizhong LiZhong No.1 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Diesel Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AV-L SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra AV-L SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra Extra SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra VX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Shell Shell Helix Ultra VX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Sinopec Great Wall Ultra Gold V5457 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
SRS SRS ViVA 1 SLV plus SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
SWD GECCO Motorenöl VZW SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
SWD swd PRIMUS LLX SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Techno GmbH Tecar Motorenoel 504 00 / 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Total Total Activa 504/507 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Total Total Quartz INEO 507/507 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Unil Opal Opaljet Energy 3 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Valvoline Valvoline SynPower XL-III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
VAPS Vapsoil 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Vapsoil Vapsoil 507 00 SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Volkswagen Original Teile ® LongLife III Hochleistungsmotorenöl SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Wolf Wolf Masterlube Synflow LL III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Würth Triathlon Endurance III SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Yacco VX 2103 FAP SAE 5W-30 50400/50700
Zeller+Gmelin Divinol Syntholight DPF SAE 5W-30 50400/50700

 

On the few occasions I've gone to the dealer to pick up a liter of oil, I say "I need a bottle of that special magic VW-approved oil for TDIs". They've never handed me the wrong thing.

 

So you looked for, and saw, "507 00" on the label.

 

Different country, different brand - but a number of Hyundai dealers in the UK failed to use low SAPs ACEA-C3 oil on diesels when DPFs were introduced and it took a 2 year campaign on a Hyundai forum and many interventions from Hyundai UK to get their dealer network fully educated. I've heard of similar situations on a few other brands.

Of course, dealers buy oil in large drums not the small retail containers we all buy and wrongly tend to adopt the attitude of "one size fits all".

 

Now that we've resolved how to make sure that you are buying the required VW 507 00 oil, wherever you get it, we're hopefully back to the OP question about what is the "magic" of 507 00 oil. So far, it seems that 507 00 requires a high-quality, long-life synthetic oil with low SAPS and a viscosity of SAE 5W-30.

Does anyone have any other insight into 507 00?

 

I still maintain that the only thing that makes 507 different is the low ash and sulfur content. If it wasn't for that, it would be very similar to other VW spec oils. Guess it doesn't really matter for this thread's sake though.

Bottom line for sure, is that 507 spec oil is the ONLY oil VW licenses for use with diesel engines equipped with a DPF.

 

I still maintain that the only thing that makes 507 different is the low ash and sulfur content.

And apparently also the SAE 5W-30 viscosity.

 

Someone said that 507 is good for the cam lobe wear, however, I have found from the dealer as well as all over the forums that the 2004 touareg TDI pumpe deuse engines (engine code bkw) need the 505.01 or 506.01 and that the 507 should not be used even though it is a newer oil. This only applies to like 800 early v10 touaregs in the US that don't have the DPF filter system. This is correct right?

 

Someone said that 507 is good for the cam lobe wear, however, I have found from the dealer as well as all over the forums that the 2004 touareg TDI pumpe deuse engines (engine code bkw) need the 505.01 or 506.01 and that the 507 should not be used even though it is a newer oil. This only applies to like 800 early v10 touaregs in the US that don't have the DPF filter system. This is correct right?

Yes.

 

Well, then this oil must be even more special. lolz.

Castrol develops new engine oil for Volkswagen Group | ET Auto

 

Well, then this oil must be even more special. lolz.

Castrol develops new engine oil for Volkswagen Group | ET Auto

That new oil is 0W-20 - good for fuel economy - the sceptics will says it's "too thin".

 

I did see this that helps answer the question: VW 507.00, VW 504.00, etc: Volkswagen Motor Oil Specifications Explained - oilspecifications.org

 

I don't think you'll find anything in writing by VW specifically for what you're asking. 505.01 and 507 are very similar, by 507 is for engines fitted with a DPF. The PDs can use 505.01 or 507, but CRs cannot use 505.01.

 

Well, if nobody knows the differences (whether in writing by VW or not), then nobody knows. In that case, it seems like a good idea to use the oil specification that VW requires for one's specific engine.

 

Gents, what is argued about here? I won't risk using oil not rated VW507 in my rig, neither do I know the one who wants to do that. Besides, a person who drives a diesel Touareg will not shop for oil at Walmart simply out of self-respect. Perhaps VW 507 oil is not that common in the US as “regular” synthetic oil and it costs a few dollars more, but what is the big deal about this inconvenience?

 

Well, for one, if you find you need to add a quart of oil, and can't find a place that carries 507.00.

And I shop at Walmart all the time. More likely it's the Porsche and Audi diesel owners who will not shop at Walmart.