TDI oil change. Now in bulk?

[tdi-jsw]

Hello all...just got the 20k service on the TDI on I was informed that the oil now comes in bulk. Can someone confirm this??? They told me that they just got it in on Monday. I am positive that I am overly paranoid, but I have to ask. Thanks!

[rootrider]

what do you mean? "coming in bulk" just means that they aren't buying a bottle at a time.. and I'm not sure why that matters.

[tdi-jsw]

55 gallon drums. Like I said I am just paranoid and want to make sure they used the right stuff. Maybe I will just stay off TCIclub for a while and calm down. ;-)

[Outrider6]

55 gallon drums. Like I said I am just paranoid and want to make sure they used the right stuff. Maybe I will just stay off TCIclub for a while and calm down. ;-)

I just got my 10K change on Saturday and the tech left me the bottles. 507 oil...

I think it makes sense to ask...nicely...to see the drums. There have been plenty of instances where 503 oil got put into TDIs that need 507.

Since you have much to lose, you ought to ask your service advisor if you can see the drum. If they are using the right stuff, it's a small inconvenience to take you out into the service bay, but a good way to keep a customer.

Remember the after action survey gives you a lot of power here...

[pknopp]

This is the first I have heard of this and it's certainly a valid question to be asking.

[andydg]

while I haven't put enough miles on our SW TDi, our 07 Honda has had its oil changed regularly by the dealer. They also use 'bulk' oil from a 55 gallon drum. They drain on the lift, then pump new oil back in using a nozzle with a dial that is preset for the amount needed. No mess to clean up (regarding empty oil bottles) and makes for a more efficient oil change IMO.

I do agree, it shouldn't hurt to ask to see the label on the drum. It saves their butt too in case it is the incorrect oil and warranty work is required due to that.

[John Reid]

Like others have said, it wouldn't hurt to ask, but oil companies usually put very clear markings on their of bulk containers, be they drums or pails, to avoid a distracted tech from doing something stupid.

At least Exxon Mobil does; I design packaging for them.

[nikhsub1]

I highly doubt the Castrol 507 oil is in bulk... I would actually not accept it, even if it had the right label on it, that is how much I distrust dealers unfortunately.

[Outrider6]

I highly doubt the Castrol 507 oil is in bulk... I would actually not accept it, even if it had the right label on it, that is how much I distrust dealers unfortunately.

For anybody wondering why this is an issue, VW does have its 503 oil in bulk, but the 507 oil is almost always in bottles. 503 is good oil, just not for a TDI. The problems from a 503 fill probably would take a while to show up, which would make accountability so much more difficult.

Over on the diesel forums there have been a few instances where 503 oil was used because the tech assumed the 503 was multi-spec oil. IIRC you can use 507 in place of 503, but not the other way around.

I wouldn't be surprised if VW starts getting 507 in bulk because it's cheaper and diesel sales are good at the moment. But until you get proof that it's really 507 in the barrel, you ought to be skeptical.

[zagato27]

Hello all...just got the 20k service on the TDI on I was informed that the oil now comes in bulk. Can someone confirm this??? They told me that they just got it in on Monday. I am positive that I am overly paranoid, but I have to ask. Thanks!

Be nice to know where you are located. Had my 10k service done at Hilton Head, SC VW....3 River Auto Mall. Asked for the remaining .5l bottle and it was in the trunk when done. Could have gone to the Savannah, GA VW/Vaden and I checked with them and they too use the 1L Castrol 507. Unfortunately there service facility doesn't work on Saturdays and the Hilton Head guys did. Short road trip.

[tdi-jsw]

I am in East Tennessee, Kingsport to be exact. I have not had a chance to go back to the dealer to see the drum they speak of, but hope to this week.

[fixmy59bug]

From what I found when I googled "55 Gallon 507.00" it appears Valvoline does make a Synpower XL-III 5w-30 that meets the 507.00 spec in a 55 gallon drum.

[cd_booth]

Is there a part number on the invoice?

It makes sense that they would want to buy it in bulk. I always wondered why they used 1L bottles instead of 5L. 55 gallon drums makes even more sense with more and more TDIs being sold and VW covering the first 3 oil changes.

[GT_GREG]

Guys, working for a vw dealer, I will confirm that the 507 oil now comes in a drum. It is very well labeled and is not to be confused with the 5w30 that was used in the older PD model diesels.

Castrol recently switched to a drum format after nearly two years of consideration and requests from dealers to make the switch.

At this point in time dealers really only should have

5w40
5w30 (507)

for the newest models.

[Outrider6]

Always good to have first hand info. Would be nice to get a photo so we can know what to look for.