Synthetic Engine Oil

[MikeSimon]

Here is something new. I have changed engine oil myself on all my classic and vintage vehicles for years. Whenever it makes sense, I have used synthetic oil, Mobil 1 (of different weights). Our Audis are relatively new and I cannot reset the service interval warning, so I took one of them to a neighborhood service place for an oil and filter change. They call me and tell me the car requires an "Euro spec" 5W40 synthetic oil - which they have - but it is more expensive, and the service does not qualify for the price special. I wonder if this is just a scheme to make more money///

[Vander]

0W-40 and 5W-40 Mobil 1 are less common, and only used by high end German vehicles. About $12/qt individually now.

[GM]

This any help to reset the service interval?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwlyknHY6jg

[wwheeler]

I went to get a spare quart of oil for my 2022 A4 Allroad at the dealer. They asked how many miles on the car and was basically new. They said this uses the 0W-40. Others use the 5w-40 depending on mileage. I have “heard” that older Audis had issues with using too much oil between changes. Maybe this is their attempt to band-aid the problem?

[ja17]

Myers stores have a good selection of Mobil 1. I can still buy a 5qt. container for around $30, even the Euro grades. Often times NAPA has specials on Mobil 1. My SLK 32 uses Mobil 1 5W-50W which I can find at NAPA and not usually available at the MB dealer. I complained about the high price of the oil at Autozone to the sales guy one day, he responded "Isn't that terrible, even the manager buys his oil from Myers" !

[rwmastel]

Myers stores have a good selection of Mobil 1. I can still buy a 5qt. container for around $30, even the Euro grades.

Myers?  You mean Meijer?

[MikeSimon]

Actually, I did some research and it is not about the weight. There is indeed a different specification. It is API (here in the US) vs ACEA (Euro) specifications.
Most German cars are specified by the manufacturers to use ACEA spec oil. The main differences are:
- higher mean operating temperatures due to typical European driving cycles
- longer intervals between oil changes, up to 10,000 miles in Europe
- large share of Diesel engine powered cars.

Neither one of these really applies to most of us here, even with European cars. I stand by my suspicion that it is just another way to charge more and to monopolize certain services.

[mdsalemi]

This is really a very simple situation. Use the oil (either brand, spec, or both) that your manufacturer recommends.
If your car is a (not my words, but others) "high end German" and requires a motor oil grade/spec that different than others, so be it. Pay the price to others if you don't want to do it yourself. If you do choose to do it yourself, look for the proper oil on special and stock up. I have about 3-4 years' worth of Mobil 1 "in inventory" for my Pagoda; it was on special last year at Napa.

The oil change places in Cleveland are running specials for the average run of the mill American car that may use 5W-20 or whatever, not [to them] a relatively obscure ACEA spec oil. Be reasonable in your expectations.

Around here, Audi Q5s are exceedingly common that I'm sure the oil change places stock that oil, but when I lived in Michigan Q5s were not very common.

[MikeSimon]

Mike, as always, your sound advice is greatly appreciated. Here is what caused my post:

I am not in the position (yet) to do the oil change on the Audis myself, as I have no way (yet) to reset the service interval in the computer.
I did not go to the Audi service dealer this time, because there is a local shop around the corner and they advertised a synthetic oil change for $39.99.
When I checked in, they told me they could not honor the coupon, because the car, an Audi RS3, required "Euro" spec synth which would make the oil change $102.-
Now, of course I could do as you said and let things be, but I was just curious especially as I have been working on cars and motorcycles for 50+ years and I have a MBA in mechanical engineering and my thesis was in internal combustion engines. In addition, my years of working for a supplier in the Automotive industry have made me notoriously suspicious of the things the "manufacturer recommends"

[ja17]

Yes, of coarse "Meijer" not Meyer's.