Of all of the auto manufacturers, Volkswagen (and sister company Audi) seem to be the most stringent about motor oil specifications. VW started issuing their own motor oil standards over 20 years ago. This was done to ensure that their cars would perform well and last as long as possible. These specifications have evolved along with the technological changes to their cars. The motor oil industry has had to follow along.
VW motor oil standards are quite high. It is certainly not advisable for a VW or Audi owner to choose motor oil that is not designed to meet that appropriate standard for their car. Why are VW oil standards high? Here are some reasons.
- Some VW cars are equipped with sophisticated emissions components that can be affected by certain motor oil ingredients.
- VW suggests some of the longest oil change intervals in the industry.
- Volkswagen/Audi engines are manufactured with tight manufacturing tolerances and advanced alloys.
- VW cars are available in either gasoline or turbo-charged diesel engine formats.
- The design of VW TDI engines can expose the limitations of lesser motor oils.
Let’s discuss each Volkswagen oil specification and offer an AMSOIL European Formula Motor Oil suggestion for each. We offer five distinct European Motor Formulas for Volkswagen/Audi applications.
VW 500.00
The VW 500.00 oil standard is now obsolete. It covered VW models from 1997 to 1999. This specification has been replaced by the newer VW 502.00 standard. The correct AMSOIL product for cars requiring VW 500.00 is AMSOIL European FS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil or AMSOIL European FS 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. AMSOIL European MS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil is an alternate choice for this specification.
VW 501.01
VW 501.01 is also obsolete and was devised for VW cars made prior to the 2000 model year. This spec has been replaced by the VW 502.00 spec. For VW cars requiring VW 501.01, use AMSOIL European FS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil (first choice) or AMSOIL European FS 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. AMSOIL European MS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor is an alternate choice for this specification.
VW 502.00
The VW 502.00 specification is commonly suggested for many gasoline-powered Volkswagens from the late 90s forward. VW 502.00 oils are generally “full-SAPS or “mid-SAPS” formulations. “SAPS” stand for sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur which are prominent motor oil additives. Failure to use a VW 502.00 formulation can result in valve train noise and excessive engine wear over time. For VW cars requiring VW 502.00, use AMSOIL European FS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil or AMSOIL European FS 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil. AMSOIL European MS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor is an alternate choice for this specification.
VW 503.00
The VW 503.00 oil spec is a defunct standard for higher horsepower (above 180 hp) Audi models with gasoline engines and very long service intervals. VW 503.00 has been replaced by the VW 504.00 specification. For Audi cars requiring VW 503.00 engine oil, the correct product is AMSOIL European LS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil.
VW 503.01
VW 503.01 is also an obsolete oil spec for higher horsepower Audi models that have long oil change intervals. This spec has also been replaced by the VW 504.00 specification. Therefore AMSOIL European LS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil should be used where VW 503.01 is suggested.
VW 504.00
VW 504.00 is the latest specification for VW/Audi gasoline-powered engines with long oil change intervals. Motor oils meeting VW 504.00 are generally 5W-30, “low-SAPS” (sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur) formulations. For cars requiring the VW 504.00 motor oil spec, use AMSOIL European LS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil.
VW 505.00
VW 505.00 was a motor oil specification for diesel cars made prior to 2000. For older diesel cars requiring motor oil with the VW 505.00 spec, use AMSOIL European FS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil or AMSOIL European FS 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil.
VW 505.01
The VW 505.01 spec is a vital motor oil spec devised for the pre-2007 VW turbo-diesel “Pumpe Duse” (also known as “PD”) engines in Jetta, Golf, Passat and Beetle models. In these engines, the fuel pump system is driven off of the camshaft and use of the wrong motor oil type can lead to accelerated camshaft wear. So it is crucial that VW TDI cars requiring the use of VW 505.01 motor oil stick to this specification. For cars requiring VW 505.01 engine oil, use AMSOIL European MS 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil.
VW 507.00
VW 507.00 was devised for their turbo-diesel models (Jetta, Golf, Toureg) and is typically specified for TDI cars. These cars are equipped with exhaust particle filters, so therefore it is vital that a “low-SAPS” oil is used. Excessive SAPS motor oil additives can contaminate exhaust filters. VW 507.00 motor oils are typically 5W-30. For VW cars requiring the VW 507.00 standard, use AMSOIL European LS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil.
VW 508.00
The VW 508.00 motor oil spec is for gasoline engines. This standard applies to many 2018 and newer vehicles. VW 508.00 motor oils have a 0W-20 viscosity and low-SAPS content. Engine oils meeting this spec must be turbo-compatible. They must also meet VW’s guidelines for detergent-content, wear protection and anti-foaming properties. AMSOIL SAE 0W-20 LS-VW Synthetic European Motor Oil is designed for VW and Audi cars requiring VW 508.oo oil.
VW 509.00
This spec is for many 2019 and newer diesel cars requiring 0W-20 motor oil. The 509.00 spec requires low-SAPS content. VW 509.00 oil must be compatible with modern emission equipment including diesel particulate filters. For cars requiring the VW 509.00 spec, use AMSOIL SAE 0W-20 LS-VW Synthetic European Motor Oil.
If you have any questions regarding motor oil choices for your Volkswagen or Audi car, feel free to email us using the contact form on this page or call us at 1-800-748-5781.
AMSOIL has released a new 100% synthetic 0W-20 motor oil for late-model Volkswagen/Audi gasoline and diesel-powered models. AMSOIL SAE 0W-20 LS-VW Synthetic European Motor Oil was formulated specifically for the VW 508.00 and VW 509.00 specifications.