What kind of engine oil is best for Jetta VS5?
3 Answers
Jetta VS5 uses semi-synthetic engine oil for maintenance, with a viscosity of 5W-40 and a usage amount of 4.0 liters. The oil model can be selected according to the recommendation in the maintenance manual. Engine oil is divided into three types: conventional mineral oil, semi-synthetic oil, and full synthetic oil. The quality grade of the oil is indicated by the first two English letters, such as SJ or SN, and the viscosity grade is represented by the following set of numbers, like 15W-40. The viscosity grade should be selected based on the temperature during the car's usage stage. Below is more information about the three types of engine oil: 1. Mineral oil: Mineral oil is a commonly used lubricant in the market. It is derived from the distillation of petroleum to extract useful substances, such as gasoline and aviation oil, followed by further processing of the remaining base oil. 2. Semi-synthetic oil: Semi-synthetic oil is made from semi-synthetic base oil, which is a product purified from mineral oil through hydrocracking technology. It is a mixture of mineral oil and full synthetic oil in a ratio of 4:6. The purity of semi-synthetic oil is very close to that of full synthetic oil, but its cost is slightly higher than mineral oil, making it an ideal transitional product from mineral oil to synthetic oil. 3. Full synthetic oil: Full synthetic oil is a high-grade product among engine oils. It is derived from ethylene and propylene dispersed from natural gas or gas in crude oil, and then undergoes complex chemical reactions such as polymerization and catalysis to form a lubricating fluid composed of large molecules.
I've been driving my Jetta VS5 for three years, and 5W-40 full synthetic oil is the most suitable for this car. The Volkswagen EA211 engine has high requirements for oil, so you must choose oil that meets VW502 certification. I recently changed to Mobil 1 Gold for my beloved car, and the throttle response has noticeably become more responsive. Full synthetic oil has good anti-wear properties and can extend the maintenance interval to 10,000 kilometers. Remember not to skimp and use mineral oil, as it can easily lead to oil film breakdown in high summer temperatures. The original oil from the 4S shop is also acceptable, just a bit more expensive. When changing the oil, remember to replace the oil filter at the same time. German cars have strict maintenance requirements, otherwise, the fault light may come on easily.
For the Jetta VS5, sticking to the manufacturer's recommended specifications is the way to go. The manual clearly states the requirement for 5W-40 oil meeting the VW502 standard. I personally lean towards fully synthetic oils like Shell Helix Ultra, especially for frequent highway driving. Its high-temperature stability is excellent, keeping oil temperatures steady even at 130 km/h. Turbocharged engines are particularly vulnerable to insufficient lubrication, so it's advisable to let the car warm up for about half a minute before driving off during cold starts. Also, remember to have the mechanic check the oil consumption during each service—German cars tend to consume some oil. Make sure to check the dipstick at 5,000 km intervals and top up if necessary.
