I have a 2007 Volkswagen. Will it hurt to put a synthetic blend oil in the car instead of fully synthetic?

Question

VW recommends to only put fully synthetic oil in the car.

Answer 1

All the writers are correct to a point; full synthetic oils can stand more heat and cold than standard oils. Now VW has a standard for synthetic oil, it must meet 502.000 of VW guidelines for gasolene engines (if my memory is still good?) and as I remember only the Castrol Synetic (but not the one you purchase at a parts store!!!!) met that standard. Even the local Castrol distributor couldn't sell that oil; it was made to VW/BMW/Audi specs.
The synthetic oils in general have more "sheer strength", lower and higher temperature pour points and can reduce oil consumption. Depending upon the content of certain compounds, they may even protect against metal to metal contact when there is NO oil pressure (at least for a moment).
It is not a good idea to use anything other than the oil recommended by the manufacturer; if nothing else, the warranty on the engine is at stake here. For the difference of a few dollars a quart, I wouldn't risk it.
As a personal note, I have a vehicle that I use as my daily driver; it has almost 210,000 miles on it and uses less than 1/4 of a quart every 5,000 miles. It has been run on a synthetic oil for a long time and will continue to do so. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles and given the history of the car so far, I expect it to last to at least 300,000 miles before having to open the motor. My transmission is also filled with a synthetic gear oil and still shifts like new.
If you were to have engine trouble requiring a tear down of the motor, I can tell you from past experience at the dealership level, you will required to prove that the oil changes were done at the required milage and that the correct oil was used. If even one oil change is missing from the paper work, or the wrong oil was used, you're out of luck!
I know this because I spent 25 years on/off in Volkswagen dealership service departments from 1980 till December, 2005 and I've been a tech, service advisor and a service manager..

Answer 2

No, the synthetic oil is not the cause of your problems. It IS okay to mix oils, but you just lose the benefit of the synthetic oil when doing this.- you can confirm at Mobil website- go there for other FAQ and their answers. The only problem I have ever heard from synthetic oils is on older cars. Gaskets tend to let more of the oil leak through than normal due to the average molecule sizes being smaller. This assumes you already are losing some oil. In this case your spending a lot of money only to have the oil be wasted through leaks.

Answer 3

I will tell you that synthetic blend does not meet the VW 502 standard and that if the engine has any problems that can be caused by the oil then you will not get warranty coverage. VW now is recommending the 504 as well. The engine in the VW is designed to work with the oils that meet that standards, and why would you want to put inferior oil in the 2007.

Answer 4

Even full synthetic oils do not all meet the standards. Neither Mobil 1 nor Castrol Syntec fulfill all of these requirements - and that information is right on the bottle.
Synthetics that meet the standard include Mobil Delvac 1, Chevron Delo 400, Shell Rotella T.
Whether you use synthetic or sem-synthetic isn't the issue, it is the rating of the oil, which has to be on the bottle.
Ensure CG-4 or CH-4 rating is marked on the bottle or don't let them put it in not matter the brand.
Blends that meet the standard include Shell Rotella SB, Petro-Canada Duron, Castrol Syntec 5w30 (not 5w-40, it does not meet the standards),

Answer 5

In the short run, no difference. In the long run it can do damage. (e.g. on the turbo models, your oil pump can clog up.)

You have a factory warranty and a powertrain warranty which you will void if you use an oil other than what the factory recommends. The dealerships will ask you for past service receipts and if they catch anything odd on the receipt they say your SOL on your warranty.

The price difference between syn and semi-syn isn't all that much. Be on the safe side and stick with the synthetic.

Answer 6

OOPS won't hurt just change the oil in 3,000 miles and please read your owners hand book very few cars require full synthetic oils. It is not what the dealer says it is what the factory publishes in the owners manual that matters. My 2006 Pontiac GTO came with Mobil 1 factory filled so that is what I use. Viscosity and oil properties for heat removal and lubrication is all that matters.