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Hi,

What kind of Oil is recommended for a B5 S4?

I know S3's require 503.01, (i.e. Castrol SLX or Mobile 1) are S4's the same?

Any help would be great!

According to Audi rules, if you are on fixed service intervals you can use any oil. If you are on variable service (aka longlife) you must use a 503.01 oil.

My personal opinion is that, considering how sensitive those little turbos are, you should only ever use a 503.01 oil and change it regularly!

Hope that helps.

Anything wrong with Quantum Synta??

Dippy wrote:According to Audi rules, if you are on fixed service intervals you can use any oil. If you are on variable service (aka longlife) you must use a 503.01 oil.

My personal opinion is that, considering how sensitive those little turbos are, you should only ever use a 503.01 oil and change it regularly!

Hope that helps.

Not true at all. If you are on fixed servicing Audi quotes you can use any oil that meets VW 500 00 VW 502 00 or VW 501 01, however, I wouldn't put a normal mineral based oil in my S4 or semi synthetic such as Magnatec which some dealers currently use. In an engine with Turbos the best recommendation is to use a fully synthetic oil rated at 0w-30 or probably better, would be 0w-40 as it will give slightly better oil pressure.

Thanks for help guys,

So, on a 98 S4, that is on fixed servicing at the moment (is it possible to change to variable servicing? I thought the car was too old?) what is the BEST oil to use?

Why does the servicing (variable or fixed) change the type of oil required? Is it because one lasts longer, and the other is better?

Cheers,

Rob.

Julesm wrote:Not true at all. If you are on fixed servicing Audi quotes you can use any oil that meets VW 500 00 VW 502 00 or VW 501 01, however, I wouldn't put a normal mineral based oil in my S4 or semi synthetic such as Magnatec which some dealers currently use. In an engine with Turbos the best recommendation is to use a fully synthetic oil rated at 0w-30 or probably better, would be 0w-40 as it will give slightly better oil pressure.

Not true at all. Audi also permit oils meeting ACEA A2 and A3. I think you'll find that oils which meet A1 and/or A5 will also meet at least one of the various VW specs allowed. Therefore I believe my statement is true.

However we both agree on what sort of oil should be used so that's what counts!

The only other types of oil that are stated in the handbook are API-SF or API-SG, although these do not meet one of the Audi specs they are deemed as suitable. You originally quoted any oil?, would you put a deisel oil in your car (they do not meet the Audi specs for a petrol engine?) and would you put an oil rated 15w-60 in your engine? probably not and I can't find a 15w-60 or 10w60 that does meet the Audi specs. I am still in discussion with Audi Technical / Customer Services over correct oil for the S4!! They do not seem to know themselves.

The 0w-30 fully synthetic Castrol Formula SLX is what Audi recommend and use for the Variable servicing, the 0W-30 oil is suppose to last much longer than a standard oil (up to 20k / 2years between servicing), if on fixed servicing (every 10k) Audi's recommendation varies from Dealer to Dealer, the majority of the dealers will use whatever oil they are currently being supplied with in bulk e.g. currently quite a few dealers are using Shell Helix Oils, therefore if you go to a dealer using this oil you will probably have Shell Helix fully synthetic oil used in your engine. However some dealers who are supplied by Castrol will use Magnatec semi synthetic 10W-40, they use this as it meets one of the various VW/Audi specs, in my opinion not the right oil to use, you will also be charged the same amount for your oil during a service regardless of type used.

The moral is to use and supply your own oil. This was my mistake. What it did highlight though was the inadequacies and lack of knowledge of my local dealership, who I won't name but certainly would never use again.

Hi Jules,

Although I love a good argument, I won't take it further. I 100% agree with you, but am just pointing out that effectively Audi do permit any oil to be used and that's why the dealers can get away with it.

Sorry, I am getting a bit confused!
So would Shell Helix Ultra 5W 30 be fine? The car is on fixed servicing at the moment, can it be changed? This is 503.01 and I can get this in bulk at a good price, but obviously only if it works!

Cheers guys, all the help has been useful!

Rob,

If it's on fixed servicing then ideally you want to use an oil with a rating of 0W-30 to 0W-40, some dealers do use Shell Helix and as it's rated 5W-30 it should be more than ok to use in the S4. The difference between 0W rated oils and 5W rated oils only becomes noticeable at extremely cold temps (sub -25 clecius) and as such 5W shouldn't be noticeably different to a 0W rated oil at our winter temps. My car is on fixed servicing and is using Castrol RS 0W-40 fully synth.

Dippy,
Sorry if sounded like I wanted to argue as I didn't . It's just that oil in an S4 touches a raw nerve.......

As Jules says, the difference between 0W and 5W at UK winter temperatures is undoubtedly negligible. However rumour is that we're in for a particularly cold one this year. The time for biggest risk of wear to the turbos is when you start the engine from cold. What has been the record lowest winter temperature in your part of the country?

Keep you turbos nice and warm! Given them little duffle jackets, a nice scarf and a wooly hat, or use 0W - 40. The stuff is only about 40 quid for a big bottle, in'it? New turbos are about 3,000 quid fitted. This is a saving of 2,960 quid.

BlackShadow wrote:New turbos are about 3,000 quid fitted.

Really - is that McTurbos drive-in cost?