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Update by Tom Suddard to the Volkswagen Beetle TDi project car
Apr 18, 2014

After 3,000 miles of driving and two autocrosses, our 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI was due for an oil change. So, we gave it one. We used synthetic Rotella T6, since our Beetle sees fairly rough usage.

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Comments
dirtracr95
dirtracr95
4/18/14 10:22 a.m.

Is that Rotella T6 VW spec 507 equalivent?

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
4/18/14 12:05 p.m.

No, it isn't. But, we've been running it for thousands of miles with no issues.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
4/18/14 12:12 p.m.

We don't recommend you try this at home, though. Stick to 507 rated oils–the sulphur in something like this Rotella can damage the emissions system.

bigdaddylee82
bigdaddylee82 Dork
4/18/14 3:03 p.m.

Yikes! The VW warranty Nazis scared me away from even the thought of non-spec oil on our CR TDI. I've been using the Mobil 1 ESP. I guess when the diesel particulate filter clogs, it'll be time for a new down pipe and DPF delete tune.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Associate Editor
4/18/14 3:20 p.m.

Just got back from the shop... the Beetle now has the proper Castrol oil in it. Thank you, everyone, for reminding us about that standard.

crankwalk
crankwalk GRM+ Memberand Dork
4/18/14 6:09 p.m.

Yep, my dpf broke at 21k miles with the factory Castrol, I wouldnt mess around with other oil unless there was a dpf delete.

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