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-   -   Review: Liqui Moly Oil in my Skoda Laura (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/192616-review-liqui-moly-oil-my-skoda-laura.html)

Hello BHPians!

Like almost every other Skoda customer, I wasn't happy with their service but was in love with my machine. Got my oil changed last time at their A.S.S but wasn't too happy with the results - felt absolutely no change at all this time. Decided to try an FNG next time & hunt for one began. Not many German specialists are here in Trivandrum - Candour Auto Tech is there, but I don't trust them especially since they're providing training. Have seen trainees working on expensive cars!

While the search for an expert was underway, I started looking for the right spec oil. Skoda recommends using Shell Helix Ultra during when my car was new.



Found out that now they're using Castrol across all VW Group brands. The oil spec from the manual is VW Spec 505 01 5W-40 . I've read somewhere on Briskoda that the manual is wrong. Spent quite some time confirming the oil to use before I start searching for it. Turns out that the manual is indeed wrong but, not the manual that came with my car. My car has a PD Engine & the right spec is indeed 505 01. This is great post on Briskoda explaining almost everything consumable on a Skoda Laura: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topi...ervicing-info/

Now the hunt for VW Spec 505 01 oil began. Almost every single oil 'for Skoda Laura' I came across was VW Spec 505 00 and the top spec 507 was no where to be seen. Tried a lot of local shops but in vain. One guy even said "This is the oil workshops buy for Skoda, this is the top of the line" taking a 4L can of Shell Helix Ultra fully synthetic in his hands.

While the search was going on, I came across Liqui Moly oil & additive reviews online & decided to see if they're available here in India. There was one one seller in Amazon but a friend of mine was already in relation with an importer right in Kerala! I right away called up the guy, Mr.Khais Rahman from Land Rover Labs, Thrissur. He is a knowledgeable guy who knows what he is selling. He patiently addressed all my queries & recommended Liqui Moly CeraTec oil additive along with the oil even though it wasn't available in stock. The oil I'm after was Liqui Moly Toptec 4100 5W-40. Money was transferred via online banking & the oil was shipped to me on the same day. I received the package after 2 days(Usually it takes only a day to ship from Thrissur to Trivandrum) due to some courier issues. It was well packaged & handled. If anyone is interested, you can check out https://landroverlab.in/





Meanwhile I found out about RVS Motors, which is an independent Skoda specialist near Trivandrum International Airport. A short talk with the guys there confirmed that they're good with Skoda cars. Used STP oil flush before draining the old oil & the new oil went in. Left the place after settling the bill which was amazingly nominal. Newly found smoothness was there, vibrations were reduced but I didn't any explosive difference during the first few kilometres. Though i knew something was not exactly the same! Approached a narrow road with walls on either sides & Oh boy the car was super silent! After about 10kms, I've started to feel the difference - engine went super smooth, accelerates better & above all it is noticeably quieter now. My car has a PD engine & it isn't known for being silent! But this oil has made a huge difference. I drive about 40kms to my work place daily and I was getting about 16KM/L to 18KM/L depending on my mood & traffic. After switching to Liqui Moly, it is now at steady 18KM/L - this might be due to the fact that the car revs freely now & less number gear changes.

All in all, I'm very much impressed by Liqui Moly, I'm yet to try CeraTec on my car, will write a review once it has been added. Liqui Moly is going to be my choice of oil for years to come on all my vehicles.

Try the ceratec. Its one of the very few oil additives which all enthusiasts seems to agree on that it works! I have used it in the old Octavia vRS and the engine was silent and smooth after that. I used the same in my Crysta after i took delivery. Will be using it again for the next oil change at 35000kms.

Will try it definitely! I was skeptical about oil additives & enhancers, but I'm convinced that CeraTec will do wonders!

I have used it in my humble M800 too, and the experience was great. Just one clarification: The Ceratec claims effects upto 50k kms, and that it sticks to cylinder walls etc. But actually it's effect reduces the moment oil is changed.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-t...ml#post4107602

Good to hear that. I was seriously considering this. I will definitely try this during 30k km oil change :)

Does this ceratec work for motorcycle engines as well? Or are they just for cars?

Edit: found something on their global site for oil additives for 4 stroke motorcycles for street use. Will dig a little more information on this.

Strictly not recommended for Wet clutch engines!!

Nice review, thanks for sharing.

Engine oil makes a big difference. IMHO though, it takes at least 3,000 - 5,000 km to feel the real difference. After switching to Mobil 1 (my favourite since 20 years), I can feel the engine revv nicer & the throttle sharper.

How much did you pay per liter?

Definitely, feel like its getting smoother & smoother everyday. The cost was Rs.4800/- for 5L.

You can try "Superbee Automobile Union" in Cochin. Their main shop is in Kathrikadavu and they have an outlet at Edapally (DBS Tyres - You can find their details in TBHP directory section). Have seen Liqui Moly ads, oil drums etc. They do advertise it here a lot. Do try them next time.

I don't think you would be able to notice much difference in a 30k run car. This product (Ceratec) is more suited and effective in higher run cars ( >50k) when the engine starts consuming a little more oil. In amazon you can check some reviews where people have used it in a new(low run) car and have not noticed any difference.

For newer (low run) cars this seems to be a better product:
https://www.amazon.in/XADO-Atomic-me...&keywords=xado

I tried Ceratec in my T-Jet (~46k km at that time) and contrary to the experience of most people, I didn't find any noticeable improvement in fuel efficiency or smoothness or NVH levels. I poured it in along with Motul X-Cess 8100 fully synthetic oil BTW. I also changed all the fluids, filters and plugs along with it. The product was much below my expectations.

Liqui Moly's transmission additive did a good job though in reducing the rubberyness of the crappy FIAT gearbox's shift action.

May try this oil sometime in the future if it meets the manufacturer's specification. Thanks for the review.

Do keep us updated on how this oil holds up over time. Some oils tend to loose their viscosity as miles add up owing to our extreme temperatures.

Yes, there are mixed reviews about CeraTec & some of the critics are really doubtful about how Liqui Moly claims CeraTec to work. Anyway, I'll be trying it out :)

Will surely do Sandeep

Good thread and liked the way you have tried to explore the difference between "before and after" engine behavior of changing the oil.

I went through this additive on the web, like you mentioned there are mixed reviews. I am skeptical if that really adds advantage to the oil burner?

Only factor that pushes me for the product is because it's made in Germany stupid:

https://products.liqui-moly.com/cera-tec-1.html

Its retailing at Rs.3000/- on Amazon. What are our experts saying on this?

Calling all mods and experts to opine on this!