MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Nib5y on October 20, 2025, 04:28:20 pm

Title: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: Nib5y on October 20, 2025, 04:28:20 pm

Hi everyone, I have been enjoying ownership of my Mk5 GTI now for nearly a month and was wondering what is the best recommended oil to put in her. From service records from Inchcape it looks as if Shell Helix Ultra Pro AV-L 0w30 has been being used but is this correct for the car. currently on 128,000 miles with last service done end of February this year and 3000 miles to date. any advice would be greatly appreciated on which oil to go for and how often to change it. 

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: GVK on October 20, 2025, 05:52:15 pm

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/product-finder.html?page=recommendedProducts&id=42978

Hopefully that should link you to the Castrol oil finder. Recommends 5w30 Alternative Recommendation  0w30 0w40

I would change the oil at least once a year regardless of mileage, I recently did my Scirocco was suprised on the price of oil these days I used Shell 5w30 from Euro car parts!  :scared:

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: Jons1001 on October 20, 2025, 08:20:38 pm

Quantum platinum plus 5w30 is about £35 delivered from eBay.

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: Octoparrot on October 20, 2025, 09:03:50 pm

I used Quantum for quite a while as it was cheap and sold by the local VW dealer so I thought it must be ok.

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: GVK on October 20, 2025, 10:03:55 pm

I think the Quantum branded oil is actually Fuchs.

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: mjmallia on October 21, 2025, 08:12:50 am

Quantum Platinum Plus here........... I get it from TPS who supply the main dealers.

I use the 5W40 and is was is recommended for these engines now, as the 5W30 is the longlife spec and these engines have now aged and tolerances are greater now.

Due to the low miles I do (3k per year) i change it every 6 months

https://tps.trade/oil-search

Title: Re: What is the best engine oil to use on Mk5 GTI - standard car no mods
Post by: Lightynolikey on October 21, 2025, 02:07:36 pm

Ask
Autodoc
Mobil oil finder
Opie oils
Driven American oil or amsoil.
Vw probably went way thin for fuel economy when new. This is the opposite of helping engine life on a 20 year old car. How many nearly new different vag models burnt up oil and then engines  or was it poor manufacturing...