Self-servicing the GTI

[pinzvidz]

The missus' GTI ain't too far away now, hopefully it's being built in Wolfsburg as I type this. But in the meantime, here's some servicing questions.

I'm a spanner turner by trade, although I now do IT but I still work in dealerships. Naturally I'll be doing my own servicing on the GTI and obtaining necessary genuine parts such as oil filters and so forth from the local VW dealership. But I'd like to know what oil dealerships are using in fellow owners' GTI's out there? Or, if you're a self-servicer, what oil are you using? And does anyone know if the tool used to drain off the oil filter housing (i.e. T40057) is available in Australia at all?

[h100vw]

http://www.samstagsales.com/vwaudi.htm#oil

This place usually has them inthe States. Are you going to get the book stamped too.

I'd just have a dealers do the oil change and stamp the book accordingly and do the rest yourself.
Gavin

[pinzvidz]

Thanks for that. The book will be stamped at the dealership where I work, considering that I'll be doing the work in their workshop, and the vehicle's history will be stored on their DMS. VGA don't have a problem with it - as long as the usual requirements such as using genuine parts etc. are met. I don't allow my vehicles to be serviced by dealerships - I've worked in them for 20 years, and unfortunately there's too many ****heads in each and every workshop. Warranty issues? Well, I'm lucky to know a head tech at my local VW dealership should the need arise. He doesn't do general servicing, so he falls into the "fix warranty concerns only" category.

[Bing56]

I changed my oil and filter at 5000k and used fully synthetic mobile 1: 5w - 50w
I dont like the idea of waiting until 15000k for the 1st service. I intend to keep changing the oil every 5000k. Call it overkill if you like but the oil is what makes the thing keep going. 100% synthetic is expensive but so is your pride and joy. I think I will only change the filter every 10000k though. Running in is when you will get the most metal deposits in oil as the motor beds itself in. My Gti has only just started to free up at around 6000k and subjectivly sounds much sweater and ready to rev freely. Hope this helps and views in above are mine only and dont have any scientific foundation other than common sense.

[VWGTi]

I changed my oil and filter at 5000k and used fully synthetic mobile 1: 5w - 50w

Why did u choose 5w-50?? my dealer recommended 10w-40 ... ?? what has everyone else been using??

[pinzvidz]

I changed my oil and filter at 5000k and used fully synthetic mobile 1: 5w - 50w

I was considering Mobil 1, but not until it's run-in properly though. I'm trying to figure out what oil VW are using out of the factory as well?!?

It's all different these days... years ago when I used to hot-up HQ's, XB's etc. after the rebuilding of V8's, I'd run them in on straight cheap non-synthetic oil. Run-in the cam at 3500 rpm on first start-up for 15 minutes, dump the oil and run another lot of non-synthetic for the first 2000 kms or so, then use semi-synthetic. Used to love the cam run-in, straight out the collectors and upsetting the neighbours in the process!

[GoLfMan]

niicccee... i believe its better to run a non synthetic oil in the loosining up and running in period as it allows the engine to wear in properly... i'd only use fully synthetic from 15,000kms onwards i recon

[machomadman]

VW recommends castrol, but only because of a contract I bet :) hey aint the GTI built in South Africa :)

[Subie25L]

VW recommends castrol, but only because of a contract I bet :) hey aint the GTI built in South Africa :)

I just called my dealers service dept as the oil is getting a little low in mine. 7000km so far. The guy said to get 5w40 and it didn't matter which brand just as long as it fully synth and was reputal brand like Mobil1. Also said they would top it up if i could drop by. Not sure it i'll make it this weekend so i might pick some up somewhere.

Anyone else GTI using any oil in the first 10,000km ?

[gtimk5]

I service many TDIs and GTIs and use Fuchs Titan Super GTO 10w30 MC. That is listed to match the "501" VW oil.
No probs at all with oil usage on any of my customers cars once they have done a few thousand kms.
I always use genuine filters at this stage. One of my customers is about to sell his 1.9TDI as it has 100,000 kms on it already. He is going to buy a new one so that his wifes TDI doesnt get lonely! :D

[pinzvidz]

I service many TDIs and GTIs and use Fuchs Titan Super GTO 10w30 MC. That is listed to match the "501" VW oil.

The Fuchs site recommends Titan SuperSyn though?!?

[drb999]

HEre's an interesting link:

http://www.vw.com/vwcom/content/objects/pdf/service_maint/oilchart.pdf

[dilbert_rocks]

What the oil manufacturers say for 05/06 TFSI Golf (PS: looks like they use the same search engine)

Shell
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/shell_au/newsol.asp?Section=1&Make=75&Model=21382

Mobil
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/mobil_au/

Castrol
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp?Section=1&Make=75&Model=1869

A quick primer in what the oil specs mean...
http://www.racq.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/racq_cms_production/hs.xsl/Motoring_Maint_Repairs_Foun_factsheet_engine_oil_d esignations_ENA_HTML.htm

[drb999]

DIY Oil-Change at another forum:
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9103

[Lima]

This thread from GOLFMKV.com might be of interest. :cool:

DIY Oil Change on GTI (without Oil Drain Tool)
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9103

Our GTI has about 6000kms on it, but we're about to go on a 2500-3000km road trip from Canberra-Melbourne-GOR-Mt Gambier-Adelaide-Canberra, so figured now was as good a time as any to change the oil. I used Mobil 1 0W-40. More details on bits needed and prices in the thread on GOLFMKV.com.

Actually, if Andrew, Seb or Derek happen to read that thread can you tell me if you use Oil Drain Tool to drain out the filter before removal. Even though the part would be a bit exxy, it would save oil going all over the car and my hand...

j:

(Edit: oops, sorry didn't see the post above ... silly me!)

[pinzvidz]

I think I might order one of those tools. There's nothing worse than oil pissing out over everything when dropping a filter and having to clean it up afterwards. I've always worked as a "clean" mechanic, and I intend on keeping it that way.

Looks like I'll be using Mobil1 0w-40... the Mercedes-Benz dealership I work for only uses this oil in all MB vehicles (not just AMG's) and considering they buy it in bulk, that means I can get my hands on it pretty cheap!