15w-40 in a PD

[DonL]

I had work done on my 05 BEW TDI recently. The work was done by a certified (on this site) guru. He changed the oil and put Redline 15w-40 in the engine. I looked it up and it is not listed for my engine. I also used the Redline vehicle lookup and Redline recommended their 5w-40 oil, which is 505.01 rated.


I only have 293,000 miles on the car and want it to last. Should I change this oil out sooner or later?

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

It isn't correct, but it probably won't do much harm, at least not this time of the year. Redline doesn't show any VW certs on their oils, I doubt they have them. I wouldn't panic, but I would get it out of there in the fall when the weather cools.

 

[DonL]

Thanks for the reply. That is in line with what I was thinking. I looked at the Redline site and they claim their 5w-40 meets the 505.01 spec. I know, that does not mean VW certified it. OTH, I have been using Mobil 1 TDT since 100,000 miles without problems and it doesn't even claim to meet the 505.01 spec.

 

[Mongler98]

even if it was some generic gas station oil, even a 10w30
going for the what 10K? wont do a lick of damage. yea its not right, but its oil.
i know we all advocate doing things to spec or even better, but the one time, its no big deal.
its easy to make minor mistakes like that.
I would be MUCH more worried about the filter used over what oil was put in.
I say, drive it and worry less. it's not winter so its worthless to even think about the first Number.

 

[Powder Hound]

15W-40 is a good number for Kingman. Sine you are hot there in the summer, you'll want a little thicker oil for wear prevention.

That's my opinion. You may do with it as you please.

Cheers,

PH

 

[Mozambiquer]

I always recommend, and use the correct spec oil. Your engine is designed for a certain specification, and the PD engines are worse about damage by using the wrong oil. I know that from experience, having used non 505.01 oil in my 2006 Jetta, and had the camshaft go out in 30k miles!
For one oil change, I'd say run it, but change it early. That's my two cents

 

[TornadoRed]

I always recommend, and use the correct spec oil. Your engine is designed for a certain specification, and the PD engines are worse about damage by using the wrong oil. I know that from experience, having used non 505.01 oil in my 2006 Jetta, and had the camshaft go out in 30k miles!

PD cams are prone to failure no matter which oil is used. The consensus is that a higher zinc content in the oil will prolong cam life. But a camshaft that failed in 30k miles was defective when new.

 

[PD Rig]

Don,

You are in Arizona per you information so a 15w40 is no big deal. Assuming this is synthetic based on the fact it is a redline product. You should be good to go. Delo has a study out there showing that thicker base oil multi viscosity oil DOES decrease metal on metal wear, which is no bad thing when it comes to a pd tdi. I think this guru did you a solid. Why not ask him about his oil choice? I’m guessing he has put thought into this choice based on the climate you are in.

 

[ToxicDoc]

You can always just add a zinc supplement if you're worried about it.

 

[PD Rig]

15W40 Diesel Motor Oil

Recommended for API CJ-4/CI-4 Plus/CI-4/CF/CH-4/CF-4

www.redlineoil.com

VOA Red Line 15w40 HDEO

If this is the oil he used, I’m thinking the best thing he can do is keep it topped up and keep using it...... Looks like that voa may be the cj4 formula. The ck4 wouldn’t be much different, and should technically be superior to the cj4 blend.