VW OIL SPECIFICATIONS; ENGINE (5XX.X & GEARBOX

[markfish888]

Thought this might help some, for quick referencing:
source: oilspecifications.org

ENGINES:

Volkswagen Motor Oil Specifications
VW 500.00
Volkswagen specification for multigrade engine oils for gasoline engines with SAE 5W-X/10W-X viscosity. This is an "old" oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999). Oils with an approval made post March 1997 were given an alternative, later VW specification.

VW 501.01
Conventional motor oils suitable for some VW engines built before MY 2000. This is an “old” oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999). Oils with an approval made post March 1997 were given an alternative, later VW specification.

VW 502.00
Oil for gasoline engines. Successor of VW 501.01 and VW 500.00 specification. Recommended for those which are subject to arduous conditions. It must not be used for any engines with variable service intervals or any which are referred to under other specifications.

VW 503.00
Long-life gasoline engine oil for VW cars with WIV (system for longer service intervals). Also meets ACEA A1, SAE 0W-30 or 5W-30 specification.

VW 503.01
This specification is specifically for Audi RS4, Audi TT, S3 and Audi A8 6.0 V12 models with outputs of more than 180bhp, running with variable service intervals (30,000km or 2 years). Now superseded by the VW 504.00 specification.

VW 504.00
The VW 504 00 specification supersedes the VW 503 00 and VW 503.01 specifications. VW 504 00 oils are suitable for engines meeting the demands of Euro IV emissions standards.

VW 505.00
Passenger car diesel engine oil specification, minimum performance level CCMC PD-2. Lists viscosities SAE 5W-50, 10W-50/60, 15W-40/50, 20W-40/50 requiring 13% max. evaporation loss and SAE 5W-30/40, 10W-30/40 requiring 15% max. evaporation loss.

VW 505.01
Special engine oil for VW turbodiesel engines with pump-injector-unit and for the V8 Common rail turbodiesel engines. Meets ACEA B4 SAE 5W-40 specification.

VW 506.00
These oils are suitable for diesel engines with extended service intervals of up to 50,000km / 2 years. Not for use on engines with a single injector pump. Oil change is indicated by the electronic service indicator. Viscosity is SAE 0W30.

VW 506.01
These oils are especially for "Pumpe-Düse" (unit injector or "PD" engines) running on extended service intervals (30,000 - 50,000km / 24 months). Oil change is indicated by the electronic service indicator.

VW 507.00
Low SAPS oils suitable for Euro 4 engines and almost all VAG diesel engines from 2000 onwards with extended service intervals, unitary injector pumps and also Pumpe-Düse ("PD") engines. Excludes V10, R5 engines and VW Commercial vehicles without fitted DPF (diesel particulate filters) – these must use a 506 01 specification oil.

VW 508.00/509.00
This specification combo (508.00 for petrol, 509.00 for diesel) requires a 0W20 viscosity, fuel economy oil with long life additives. These specifications are NOT backward compatible with the earlier VW specifications. Recommended for the new 2.0 TFSI 140 kW and 3.0 TDI CR 160 kW VW/Audi engines.

GEARBOX:

VW G 009 317
Gear oil for mechanical and automatic 6 gear transmissions.

VW G 052 145 A2
Special synthetic gear oil with SAE 75W90 viscosity for front and rear differentials, including limited slip differentials
.
VW G 052 162 A2
Special ATF with viscosity modifier. Suitable for 4 and 5 gear ZF automatic transmissions. Not suitable for 6 gear transmissions.

VW G 052 171
SAE 70W75 viscosity gear oil.

VW G 052 171 A2
Special gear oil designed for the manual transmissions of cars with transverse engines.

VW G 052 175
Special working fluid for Haldex clutches. Developed by Haldex and Statoil.

VW G 052 178
Gear oil with SAE 75W viscosity.

VW G 052 180 A2
Special gear oil for Audi Multitronic transmissions.

VW G 052 182 (VW TL 521 82)
Special gear oil for certain DSG dual clutch transmissions.

VW G 052 190 A2
Special VW gear oil for Multitronic CVT transmissions.

VW G 052 726
Monograde gear oil with SAE 75W viscosity.

VW G 052 798
SAE 70W75 viscosity gear oil.

VW G 052 911
Audi specification for transmissions used with longitudinal engine configurations. Products meeting this specification are of SAE 75W90 viscosity and also meet API GL-5 criteria.

VW G 052 990
Special ATF for automatic transmissions combined with differentials.

VW G 055 005
Special ATF for VW automatic transmissions and transaxles.

VW G 055 145
Transmission oil with 3% Sturaco additive.

VW G 055 162
Special ATF for VW automatic transmissions and transaxles.

VW G 055 175 A2
Special working fluid for Haldex clutches. Developed by Haldex and Statoil.

PETROL API

GASOLINE ENGINES (Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil performance levels)
Category Status Service
SN
Current Introduced in October 2010, designed to provide improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons, more
stringent sludge control, and seal compatibility. API SN with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-5 by combining
API SN performance with improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection, emission control system compatibility, and
protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.
SM Current For 2010 and older automotive engines.
SL Current For 2004 and older automotive engines.
SJ Current For 2001 and older automotive engines.
SH Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most gasoline-powered automotive engines built after 1996. May not provide
adequate protection against build-up of engine sludge, oxidation, or wear.

DIESEL API

DIESEL ENGINES (Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations on oil performance levels)
Category Status Service
CK-4 Current API Service Category CK-4 describes oils for use in high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017
model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel
engines. These oils are formulated for use in all applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm
(0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact
exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or oil drain interval. These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission
control system durability where particulate filters and other advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API CK-4 oils
are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as
protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and
high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity increase. API CK-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API
CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, and CH-4 and can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories.
When using CK-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval recommendations.

CJ-4 Current For high-speed four-stroke cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2010 model year on-highway and Tier 4 non-road
exhaust emission standards as well as for previous model year diesel engines. These oils are formulated for use in all
applications with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 500 ppm (0.05% by weight). However, the use of these oils
with greater than 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight) sulfur fuel may impact exhaust aftertreatment system durability and/or
drain interval. API CJ-4 oils exceed the performance criteria of API CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4, CH-4, CG-4 and CF-4 and
can effectively lubricate engines calling for those API Service Categories. When using CJ-4 oil with higher than 15 ppm
sulfur fuel, consult the engine manufacturer for service interval.

CI-4 Current Introduced in 2002. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 2004 exhaust emission standards implemented
in 2002. CI-4 oils are formulated to sustain engine durability where exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is used and are
intended for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place of CD, CE, CF-4,
CG-4, and CH-4 oils. Some CI-4 oils may also qualify for the CI-4 PLUS designation.

CH-4 Current Introduced in 1998. For high-speed, four-stroke engines designed to meet 1998 exhaust emission standards. CH-4 oils
are specifically compounded for use with diesel fuels ranging in sulfur content up to 0.5% weight. Can be used in place
of CD, CE, CF-4, and CG-4 oils.

CG-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-4 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009.
CF-2 Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 2009. Two-stroke cycle engines
may have different lubrication requirements than four-stroke engines, so the manufacturer should be
contacted for current lubrication recommendations.

CF Obsolete OBSOLETE: Introduced in 1994. For off-road, indirect-injected and other diesel engines including those using fuel with
over 0.5% weight sulfur. Can be used in place of CD oils.
CE Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD-II Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CD Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered automotive engines built after 1994.
CC Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1990.
CB Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1961.
CA Obsolete CAUTION: Not suitable for use in most diesel-powered engines built after 1959.

FA-4 Current API Service Category FA-4 describes certain XW-30 oils specifically formulated for use in select high-speed four-stroke
cycle diesel engines designed to meet 2017 model year on-highway greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards. These
oils are formulated for use in on-highway applications with diesel fuel sulfur content up to 15 ppm (0.0015% by weight).
Refer to individual engine manufacturer recommendations regarding compatibility with API FA-4 oils. These oils are
blended to a high temperature high shear (HTHS) viscosity range of 2.9cP–3.2cP to assist in reducing GHG emissions.
These oils are especially effective at sustaining emission control system durability where particulate filters and other
advanced aftertreatment systems are used. API FA-4 oils are designed to provide enhanced protection against oil
oxidation, viscosity loss due to shear, and oil aeration as well as protection against catalyst poisoning, particulate filter
blocking, engine wear, piston deposits, degradation of low- and high-temperature properties, and soot-related viscosity
increase. API FA-4 oils are not interchangeable or backward compatible with API CK-4, CJ-4, CI-4 with CI-4 PLUS, CI-4,
and CH-4 oils. Refer to engine manufacturer recommendations to determine if API FA-4 oils are suitable for use. API FA-4
oils are not recommended for use with fuels having greater than 15 ppm sulfur. For fuels with sulfur content greater than
15 ppm, refer to engine manufacturer recommendations

[Neuk]

Should come in handy, I have made it a sticky in "General Tech Discussions".

[VAG Fan]

I seem to remember that when I did research for my Audi, some time ago, I found that G 052 911 was not GL-5 but GL-4(+). Nowadays, one finds both GL-4 and GL-5 oils when searching with this number.

I'm mentioning it here because the lubricity rating is critical for proper drag on the synchromesh. Older VW-Audi boxes specifically call for GL-4, not GL-5.

I found several discrepancies between web sources that all looked reputable... e.g. oil finders from reputable manufacturers.