hardy annual ...engine oil and filter

[David's8]

Originally Posted by oldnick

being doing a bit of research ¬

when I had my first audi 25 years or so ago the stated oil change interval was 15k Km/ 10k/ miles; when VW introduced their own specs mid 1990's their recommendation [ iirc ]for my 5 cyl 20v was 501.01

but when they introduced long life servicing in 2000 the spec for that was 502

so what was the difference between the oils ? apparently an additive to increase the resistance to oxidative thickening so that it was capable of operating to the new service interval of 30k Km which 501.01 was not

on that basis I intend to use oil to the 501.01 specification , and , bearing in mind the time element and type of use , change as suggested elsewhere here on an annual basis at 5k miles

502 was NOT intended for long life (variable service interval) but was the successor to 501 spec.
"VW 502.00 - Oil for gasoline engines. Successor of VW 501.01 and VW 500.00 specification. 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."

Not sure what year your 3.7 is but -
" VW 501.01 - Conventional motor oils suitable for some VW engines built before MY 2000. This is an “old” oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999). Oils with an approval made post March 1997 were given an alternative, later VW specification."
Source; "Oil Specifications.org" See http://www.oilspecifications.org/volkswagen.php