You go to buy some engine oil, and suddenly you're reading everything on the bottles. One says 5W-30, another says 0W-30, and then you spot ACEA C3, VW 502.00, VW 504.00, VW 507.00 and LongLife. The bloke in the shop tells you, "This one's for VW." Brilliant. But is it right for your VW? Because just having VW written on the bottle doesn't mean the oil is suitable for your engine. In my guide to engine oil and service parts I've explained all the Volkswagen Group oil specifications. Here, I want to walk you through two of the most common ones in Bulgaria: VW 504.00 and VW 507.00.
What's the difference between VW 504.00 and VW 507.00 oil specifications?
These aren't just random numbers printed on a bottle. They're Volkswagen oil specifications, and an oil has to pass certain tests to meet them. VW 504.00 is for petrol engines, while VW 507.00 is for diesels. Both require low levels of ash, sulphur and phosphorus. Why am I telling you this? Because your DPF and catalytic converter really don't like ash. Put oil without VW 507.00 approval into a diesel with a DPF, and you risk blocking that filter sooner. And that's when things get expensive. I've explained these problems in detail in my guide to the DPF.
What does LongLife actually mean?
LongLife means a flexible service interval. Instead of changing the oil at a fixed mileage, your car works out when it's due based on how you drive. It can show an interval of up to 30,000 km or 2 years. Oils meeting VW 504.00 and VW 507.00 are designed to last that long. But! There's a catch. Cruising along a German motorway is one thing. Sitting in traffic every day, making short journeys of just a few kilometres and running the engine in dust and summer heat is quite another. And that's exactly how a lot of cars spend their lives in Bulgaria. So I'm telling you this as a friend: driving 30,000 km on the same oil here is madness as far as I'm concerned.
Whatever LongLife says on the bottle, for cars driven in Bulgaria I recommend changing the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first, regardless of the oil you use. Leave those long intervals for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Can I use VW 504/507 instead of VW 502/505?
Generally, yes. VW 504.00 and VW 507.00 are newer specifications, and for most engines they cover the requirements of the older VW 502.00 and VW 505.00 specifications. But it doesn't work the other way round. If your engine requires VW 507.00, don't pour in oil meeting VW 502.00 or VW 505.00 instead. Especially if you've got a DPF. And there's something else you need to know: the latest engines that use VW 508.00 and VW 509.00 are a different story. I've explained those in detail in my guide to 0W-20 engine oil. Don't assume that just because an oil specification is newer, it's automatically suitable for every engine.
How do you know which oil is right for your VW?
- First, check the approval on the bottle. Look for the exact VW specification number, not just a claim that the oil "meets VW requirements". That doesn't mean Volkswagen has officially approved it.
- Check the viscosity too. Whether it's 5W-30, 0W-30 or something else, it needs to match your engine's requirements.
- If you're not sure, check using your VIN. That way, you're not guessing which oil belongs in your car.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: Personally, I prefer genuine engine oil. And my reason is simple: who knows an engine's requirements better than the manufacturer who built it? I'm not saying there aren't other good, suitable oils out there. But if you choose something else, make sure it has genuine VW approval, not just some nice promises on the label. And don't forget to change the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first.
I hope that next time you're standing in front of a shelf full of engine oils, you'll know exactly what to look for. Don't choose an oil just because it says 5W-30 or LongLife. What matters most is that it's the right oil for your engine. And if this article has helped you, share it with a friend who also drives a VW, Audi, Škoda or Seat.
The solution in our shop
Genuine LongLife III FE 0W30 engine oil 5L
Genuine LongLife III FE 0W30 engine oil, 5 litres, meeting VW 504.00/507.00.
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Genuine LongLife III FE 0W30 engine oil
Genuine LongLife III FE 0W30 engine oil, 1 litre for topping up.
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Genuine Volkswagen SpecialD 5W40 diesel engine oil 1L
Genuine Volkswagen SpecialD 5W40 engine oil for diesel engines that require it under their oil specification.
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- Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
- When to change the oil and service parts on your VAG car
- VW 508/509 0W-20 oil: can you use it in an older engine?
- What you need to know about the DPF
- The service interval: how to reset it and why you shouldn't do it yourself
- Engine oil change: why we replace the washer and use a torque wrench
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between VW 504.00 and VW 507.00 oil specifications?
VW 504.00 is for petrol engines, while VW 507.00 is for diesels. Both are low-ash specifications designed to protect the DPF and catalytic converter.
Can I drive 30,000 km on LongLife oil?
Your dashboard might show that interval, but I wouldn't recommend it in Bulgaria. With our driving conditions, change the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first, even if you're using LongLife oil.
What does "meets VW requirements" actually mean?
It means the oil manufacturer claims the oil meets VW's requirements. But that's not the same as official Volkswagen approval. Look for the exact specification, such as VW 507.00, and confirmed approval for it.