Is Volkswagen 0W20 Oil Fully Synthetic?
2 Answers
Most of the Volkswagen 0W20 model oils are fully synthetic, but this model also includes semi-synthetic and mineral oils. For example, Honda's original oil, Kendall, AUTOBACS-QUALITY, and Volkswagen's original oil in the 0W20 model are semi-synthetic, while GAC Honda's purple barrel original oil in the 0W20 model is mineral oil. Below is the classification of engine oils: Mineral Oil: Mineral oil is a commonly used lubricant in the market. It is derived from the refining process of petroleum, where useful substances like gasoline and aviation oil are distilled, and the remaining base oil is further processed. Essentially, mineral oil is inexpensive but has a shorter lifespan and inferior lubrication performance compared to synthetic oil, and it also causes significant environmental pollution. Semi-Synthetic Oil: Semi-synthetic oil is made from semi-synthetic base oil, which is a product of refining mineral oil through hydrocracking technology. It is a mixture of mineral oil and fully synthetic oil in a 4:6 ratio. Semi-synthetic oil is very close in purity to fully synthetic oil but is slightly more expensive than mineral oil, making it an ideal transitional product from mineral to synthetic oil. Fully Synthetic Oil: Fully synthetic oil is derived from ethylene and propylene dispersed from natural gas or crude oil, which are then polymerized and catalyzed through complex chemical reactions to form a lubricating fluid composed of large molecules. Essentially, it uses the better components of crude oil, undergoes chemical reactions, and is controlled to achieve the desired molecular structure. Fully synthetic oil has neatly arranged molecules, providing strong resistance to external variables, better thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and viscosity stability compared to mineral and semi-synthetic oils. The number before the W represents cold-start performance, where W stands for Winter. The number after W indicates the oil's high-temperature resistance. Engine oil plays a crucial role in vehicle operation, including cooling, shock absorption, rust and corrosion prevention, sealing, lubrication, and cleaning. Temperature corresponding to the number before W: 0W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -35°C; 5W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -30°C; 10W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -25°C; 15W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -20°C; 20W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -15°C; 25W corresponds to a minimum operating temperature of -10°C; The viscosity of engine oil changes with temperature, so it is essential to pay attention to its performance under both low and high temperatures. For example, in 5W-30, the first number indicates low-temperature fluidity, where 5W means it can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C. The smaller this number, the better the low-temperature fluidity, ensuring smoother cold starts. The second number represents the oil's kinematic viscosity at 100°C, with higher values indicating better viscosity retention at high temperatures, meaning better lubrication performance under high temperatures. When choosing engine oil, consider the following: Select oil based on the engine's requirements. There is no need to use overly advanced oil in engines with lower requirements, nor should lower-grade oil be used in engines with higher requirements. Prefer multi-grade oils as they are economical, long-lasting, and efficient, providing better engine protection. Due to their characteristics, multi-grade oils may appear darker and have lower oil pressure compared to conventional oils, which is normal.
Yes, Volkswagen's 0W20 engine oil is typically fully synthetic, which I frequently encounter in my daily auto repair work. It is specifically designed for modern engines, such as Volkswagen's EA888 series, requiring full synthetic oil to provide superior lubrication and protection. Fully synthetic oil consists of chemically synthesized base oils, offering excellent low-temperature fluidity for quicker cold starts in winter and high-temperature stability, extending the oil change interval to over 10,000 kilometers. If you see "full synthetic" on the oil bottle or it complies with VW 508 certification, you can be certain it's the right one. I recommend car owners regularly check the oil specification and avoid confusing it with semi-synthetic oils, as this could lead to increased engine noise or wear, compromising driving reliability.
