[gaurav_chopra04]

Yesterday, I went to a local auto part shop to get oil for my 800 (use GTX), where I noticed Castrol Magnatic oil. I was under impression that Magnatec comes as both semi synthetic and synthetic. But the guy said that Magnatec are only semi-synthetic and not fully synthetic. I have still asked him to confirm the same from Castrol.

But then whats better way to clear your auto queries than Team-Bhp. So here I am.

In October 2010, VW service station filled 500ml of Castrol Magnetic Oil (5W 40) in my VW Polo 1.2 Petrol. It was a 1L bottle which had an MRP of 970, and after adding some other taxes, it costed me 1035. The bottle with remaining 500ml was handed over to me.

Now, 500ml Castrol Magantic 10W 40 has MRP of Rs169, so if I go according to the shopkeeper and believe that 5W 40 is also semi-synthetic, a Litre of same should not cost above Rs.400.

However, a quick PM to GTO and he sent me a link, which says a few grades of Magnatecs are semi-Synthetic and a few are fully synthetic.

Here is the link,
FAQs | Castrol Magnatec FAQs

Castrol.com doesn’t specify details of 5w 40 Grade and Castrol India doesn’t even display this grade under magnatecs. So, I would like to know if 5w40 is synthetic or semi-synthetic.

Because if it is semi-synthetic, this means VW is using semi-synthetic oil in Polo and charging for fully synthetic.

However, if its synthetic and I wish it is, why is VW not using the Castrol Edge, which is their brand for Synthetic and also considering that the EDGE comes in 5W 40 grade.



Please see the pictures below for facts.

Castrol Magnatec 5W 40 one Litre bottle which I got from VW Service station, see the MRP of 970.





Castrol 10W 40 Magnatec five hundred ml bottle which I saw at our local auto shop.

[uvmallya]

@Gaurav - The Bangalore dealer had topped up my car engine with Magnatec oil and had charged me Rs.970/- for the one litre can. I really do not understand the logic behind the pricing of 5W and 10W. But since the dealer gave me a 5W bottle and recommended its use, I have been using it.

[amit1234singla]

Gaurav,

I think except 5W30, all oils grades starting with 0W or 5W are fully synthatic. So 5W40 is a fully synthetic oil.

you can find this info on the link below:
Car Bibles : The Engine Oil Bible

[R2D2]

Originally Posted by gaurav_chopra04

Yesterday, I went to a local auto part shop to get oil for my 800 (use GTX), where I noticed Castrol Magnatic oil. I was under impression that Magnatec comes as both semi synthetic and synthetic. But the guy said that Magnatec are only semi-synthetic and not fully synthetic. I have still asked him to confirm the same from Castrol.


However, a quick PM to GTO and he sent me a link, which says a few grades of Magnatecs are semi-Synthetic and a few are fully synthetic.

Here is the link,
FAQs | Castrol Magnatec FAQs

Castrol.com doesn’t specify details of 5w 40 Grade and Castrol India doesn’t even display this grade under magnatecs. So, I would like to know if 5w40 is synthetic or semi-synthetic.

Because if it is semi-synthetic, this means VW is using semi-synthetic oil in Polo and charging for fully synthetic.]

The 5w-40 oil VW has prescribed is synthetic. Here's a PDF file that may help.

The key to identifying this oil is "Professional' which probably means it is targetted towards OEM and large garages/service stations.

Regards,

[sgiitk]

very likely it is just a re-badged Edge!

[Sankar]

Don't confuse the Magnatec semi-synth which is widely available here with the Magnatec Professional B4 5W-40, the one you have got from VW service centre. The Magnatec Professional B4 5W-40 is fully synthetic, thus the higher cost.

PS: Not all Magnatec Professional engine oils are fully synthetic.

[gaurav_chopra04]

So, not all magnatecs are semi-synthetic, not all magnatecs are professional and not all professionals are synthetic. Fantastic.

Anways, thanks every one. Now that we know that 5W 40 is synthic, wont it be a good idea if some expert can put together a list of engine oil brands and the different grades and the category under which they normally come. It will be of good help.

Also, why would castrol brand the same grade of engine oil under different brand. I mean 5w40 synthetic comes in both magnatec and edge. Does that mean it comes in GTX as well??

[imjimmy]

As long as it's 5W40, my guess is any synthetic brand oil should work. I've personally had great success with Mobil1 supersyn. Although Amsoil and redline are supposed to be even better - and more expensive.

Originally Posted by amit1234singla

Gaurav,

I think except 5W30, all oils grades starting with 0W or 5W are fully synthatic. So 5W40 is a fully synthetic oil.

That's not true.

I've used 5W20 mineral oil (Pennzoil, Castrol), and 5W20 semi-synthetic (valvoline Max life) for years - not in India though.

Quick question: Anyone know if Vento uses the same 5W40 grade as the Polo?

Thanks!

[vw_passat]

I got my VW passat 2012 serviced at the showroom four month ago and they have used Castrol 5W40 edge professional oil. I have driven 8000 Kms since then and have noticed that the oil level is slightly low. I purchased Castrol 5W40 Edge at a local shop in hyderabad and topped up half a liter of oil. The dip stick is now showing full oil level. I understand that half a liter of oil consumption is quite normal for 8000 kms.

However, i have a few doubts here.

Is there a difference between Castrol Edge and Castrol Edge professional ?

The oil that I purchased had a small warning message at the back of the bottle which mentioned that the product is not suitable for vehicles fitted with diesel particulate filter (DPF). Have I made a mistake using this product for my Car ?

Can someone please help me purchase Castrol EDGE professional 5W40 (4 liters) and an original oil filter for VW passat 2012

I am planning to change my oil every 10k kms instead of the recommended 15k kms. Please suggest if this is worth the effort.

Thank you for your valuable suggestions

[Vikram Arya]

Originally Posted by vw_passat

I got my VW passat 2012 serviced at the showroom four month ago and they have used Castrol 5W40 edge professional oil. I have driven 8000 Kms since then and have noticed that the oil level is slightly low. I purchased Castrol 5W40 Edge at a local shop in hyderabad and topped up half a liter of oil. The dip stick is now showing full oil level. I understand that half a liter of oil consumption is quite normal for 8000 kms.

However, i have a few doubts here.

Is there a difference between Castrol Edge and Castrol Edge professional ?

The oil that I purchased had a small warning message at the back of the bottle which mentioned that the product is not suitable for vehicles fitted with diesel particulate filter (DPF). Have I made a mistake using this product for my Car ?

Can someone please help me purchase Castrol EDGE professional 5W40 (4 liters) and an original oil filter for VW passat 2012

I am planning to change my oil every 10k kms instead of the recommended 15k kms. Please suggest if this is worth the effort.

Thank you for your valuable suggestions

As the name suggests the “Castrol Edge Professional” is supposed to be used by “Professionals” in the service centres/garages. This range is only available in large package sizes such as 210 ltr drums. In some of the markets Castrol uses a dye to differentiate the product from the regular Castrol Edge.

As per Castrol’s global website, the VW 125KW, 2ltr. TDI engine is supposed to be serviced by Castrol Edge 5W-30LL or 5W-40.



Is your car equipped with a DPF? If so then this product should not be used if the package says so. It would be better if you ask VW India for the clarification regarding usage of this oil by the service centre.

It would also help if you read your Owners’ manual and look for the engine oil grade that VW India recommends as in some markets the recommendations can change owing to operating conditions/availability of certain grades etc.

You can get an after-market filter for the Passat from a reputed auto spare shop. VW or for that matter none of the automotive manufacturers make the oil/air filters themselves but get these made by third party vendors.

I assume your owners' manual suggests changing oil at 15,000 kms interval. As for changing the oil at 10,000 kms instead of at 15,000 kms, it is a matter of personal preference and the kind of conditions that you drive in. If you do a lot of local (less than 20 kms) runs and in dusty condition, lot of idling & continuous use of air conditioning; it would be worthwhile to change at 12,000 kms. On the other hand if you do primarily highway runs then you should be good to do oil changes at 14,000 to 15,000 kms interval.