When it comes down to it, it's your car and you can do whatever you want, just don't be surprised when something fails and the dealer voids your warranty. These oil approvals are like octane ratings: If your gas door says to use 91-octane or higher, there is a reason why the manufacturer spent the time and money to put that sticker there. It's against the law for a car manufacturer to mandate that you use only their approved products, charge outrageous prices, and prevent other manufacturers from seeking approvals. All car manufacturers open the approval process up to any oil manufacturer who is willing to submit their product and pay for the test. Approved oils are inexpensive (as cheap as $4.99) and they are available almost everywhere. It is not illegal for them to say the use of non-approved oil can adversely affect your new vehicle warranty. Bottom line: To avoid a headache at the dealership when something fails, always use high-quality oil filters, approved oils, and always keep the receipts to show that you purchased an "approved" product. Keep in mind the dealer can run a simple test to determine if you were using approved oil or not.
*Agip Synthetic PC 5W-30: fully synthetic motor oil designed for naturally aspirated or forced-induction gasoline engines.Industry Approvals: European ACEA (A3/B4-04), API (SM/CF), ILSAC (GF-3 for API certified gasoline engine oils)OEM Approvals: BMW (LL-01), Mercedes-Benz (MB 229.3), VW (502.00/505.00)Size: 1 U.S. quart (946 mL)Price: $69.95 for 12x1 liter bottles
*Agip Synthetic PC 5W-40: fully synthetic motor oil designed for naturally aspirated or forced-induction gasoline engines.Industry Approvals: European ACEA (A3/B4-04), API (SM/CF), ILSAC (GF-3 for API certified gasoline engine oils)OEM Approvals: BMW (LL-01), Mercedes-Benz (MB 229.3), VW (502.00/505.00), Porsche (reference number 2005/01/29)Size: 1 U.S. quart (946 mL)Price: $65.95 for 12x1 liter bottles
*Agip 7004 5W-40: designed for gasoline or diesel engines, especially those with a single-pump injector.Industry Approvals: European ACEA (A3/B3), API (SJ/CF)OEM Approvals: VW (500.00/502.00/505.00)Size: 1 U.S. quart (946 mL)
Agip
800.922.9243
www.americanagip.com
The Castrol logo can be seen adorning the oil fill caps of Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen vehicles. Castrol Syntec's fully synthetic formula incorporates an advanced additive package that eliminates the corrosive particles that cause power-robbing sludge buildup.
*Castrol Syntec SAE 0W-30 European Formula: offers exceptional pumpability in cold weather and allows for unaided engine starts down to minus 40 degrees F.Industry Approvals: European ACEA: (A3/B3/B4), API: (SL/SJ/SH/CF or CD), ILSAC: (GF-3 for API certified gasoline engine oils)OEM Approvals: BMW (LL-01), Mercedes-Benz (MB 229.1/ 229.3/229.5),VW (502.00, 505.00, 503.01)Size: 1 U.S. quart (946 mL) Price: $6.49
*Castrol Syntec SAE 5W-40 European Formula: specifically formulated to meet the needs of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen.Industry Approvals: European ACEA (A3/B3/B4), API (SL/SJ/SH/CF or CD), ILSAC (GF-3 for API certified gasoline engine oils)OEM Approvals: BMW (LL-98), Mercedes-Benz (MB 229.1/229.3), Porsche (except Cayenne V6), Volvo, VW (502.00/505.00)Size: 1 U.S. quart (946 mL) Price: $6.49
Castrol
800.462.0835
www.castrol.com
*Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 Longlife III: partially synthetic blend of conventional oil and HC synthetic technology, designed specifically for gasoline and diesel-powered VW and Audi vehicles. Meets extended oil change intervals and is compatible with diesel particulate filters.Industry Approvals: European ACEA (A3/B4)OEM Approvals: VW (504.00/507.00)Size: 1.06 U.S. quarts (1 liter)/ 5.3 U.S. quarts (5 liters)