oil change ?

[oilman]

These temperatures are within the capability of a decent sae 40 synthetic which is what is generally recommended. It may stretch an sae 30 though.

Cheers
Simon

[tartan_rob]

I get about 80deg C all the time - perhaps 90 with spirited driving but I run an aftermarket oil cooler.

[oilman]

Than an sae 40 is just fine, it's working well within it's capabilities. Anything thicker will just waste power, cause additional heat, friction and wear and poorer fuel consumption.

Cheers
Simon

[Dippy]

Great info Simon. I used to feel happy with 0W40 all year round, but it's the premature cam wear stories that made me want to use 15W50 oil in Summer. Based on what you've written though, I'll reconsider. I am certainly not going back to 0W30 though - and that's what Audi recommend for the S4!

[andy123]

does anyone use mocal oil coolers??

[ajsl]

For what it's worth I'm on 0W40 (Mobil 1) all year round too - change every 5-6k miles. No problems so far!

[oilman]

It carries good specs including VW503.01 which is a high performance.

Volkswagen Group Oil Specifications and their Applications

VW 500.00
This is an “old” oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999)
Viscosity ratings: SAE 5w-40, 10w-40 or 20w-40
This oil can be used in all petrol and some diesel engines, apart from those referred to under other specifications.

VW 501.01
This is another “old” oil specification with exactly the same application as
VW 500.00.
Viscosity ratings: SAE 10w-40, 15w-40 or 20w-40

VW 502.00
This oil can only be used in petrol engines and is recommended for those which are subject to arduous conditions. It must not be used for any engines with variable service intervals or any which are referred to under other specifications.
Viscosity ratings: SAE 0w-40, 5w-40 or 10w-40

VW 503.00
This is a relatively new oil specification for petrol engines with variable service intervals. It includes the AUDI S4, but not the RS4, or the TT and S3 with outputs of more than 180bhp.
Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

VW 503.01
A new oil specification specifically for the RS4, and the TT and S3 with outputs of more than 180bhp, Passat W8 and Phaeton W12.
Viscosity rating: 0w-30

VW 505.00
For all diesel engines prior to model year 2000 (August 1999)
Viscosity rating: 0w-40, 5w-40 or 10w-40

VW 505.01
For all diesel engines with unit injectors (Pumpe-Duse or PD) without variable service intervals.
Viscosity rating: SAE 5w-40

VW 506.00
For all diesel engines except those with unit injectors, with variable service intervals.
Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

VW 506.01
For all diesel engines, including those with unit injectors, with variable service intervals.
Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

To rationalize the specs VW has now launched VW504.00 and VW507.00 which cover off the majority of the specs above.

These oils are not so easy to find but there is plenty of technical data on my website.

Cheers
Simon