What kind of engine oil is best for Santana?

[VanEden]

It is recommended to use 5W30 synthetic engine oil for Santana, as 5W30 is the original factory oil for Santana. Taking the 2021 Santana as an example, it belongs to the compact car category with body dimensions of: length 4475mm, width 1706mm, height 1469mm, wheelbase 2603mm, fuel tank capacity 52.8L, and trunk capacity 466L. The 2021 Santana features a MacPherson strut front suspension and a compound torsion beam rear suspension. It is equipped with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 112PS, maximum power of 82kW, and maximum torque of 145Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.

[DavidLynn]

My Santana has been running for nearly 150,000 kilometers, and 5W-40 semi-synthetic oil has always been the most suitable choice. The engine design of this car is matched with this viscosity, as clearly stated in the factory manual. It provides sufficient cold-start protection in winter and can withstand high temperatures in summer. Affordable options like Shell HX7 or Castrol Magnetec, which cost around a hundred yuan, are quite economical, and changing them every 8,000 kilometers is completely fine. However, if you frequently drive on highways or the car is over ten years old, it's advisable to switch directly to full synthetic oil. It costs a bit more but significantly reduces engine noise. Remember to always replace the oil filter with every oil change—it only costs about thirty yuan at a roadside shop.

[Elias]

As a veteran driver who has owned three generations of Santana, I believe the key lies in the usage environment. For daily city commuting, mineral oil like 10W-40 is completely sufficient. Domestic brands such as Great Wall's Jijixing cost less than 40 yuan per liter, and changing it every 5,000 kilometers is quite hassle-free. If you frequently haul cargo or go on long trips, you must use 5W-40 full synthetic oil, and Mobil 1 is very suitable. When changing the oil, remember to feel the old oil; if it's particularly black with metal shavings, there might be engine wear. For older Santanas, never use overly thin 0W oil as it tends to burn oil.

[VonJocelyn]

For the characteristics of the Volkswagen EA211 engine, it is recommended to use engine oil with ACEA A3/B4 certification. I have used LIQUI MOLY Top Tec 4200, a 5W-40 full synthetic formula that is particularly friendly to older engines, with quick oil pressure buildup during cold starts. However, for the first five years of a new car, semi-synthetic oil is sufficient to save costs. Don't believe those who insist on using only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) oil—as long as the viscosity is correct and the certifications are complete, major brands are fine. In northern winters, you can switch to 0W-40 in advance; it costs about twenty yuan more than summer oil but ensures much smoother starts.

[JuliannaLynn]

During car repairs, it's been observed that many Santanas burning oil is caused by improper oil usage. The classic models must use 40 viscosity oil—5W-40 for newer cars, and 10W-40 or even 15W-50 for vehicles over ten years old. While full synthetic oils offer superior cleaning performance, they may cause leaks in older cars. I've seen cases where mineral oil was used to run over 300,000 kilometers. Important note: Turbocharged models must use full synthetic oil! Naturally aspirated engines are fine with semi-synthetic. Don’t exceed a 10,000-kilometer oil change interval, and always use Mann or Mahle oil filters for reliability.