Gas and Oil questions

[2010BeetleConv]

Hi all,
new to the forum and the New Beetle. I had a 1.8T Beetle (no turbo) a few years ago and it was required to use the premium gas. I just bought a 2010 Beetle convertible with the 2.5L engine and saw that the sticker on the fuel door notes 87 octane. Do we need to use 87? Will I get better performance with the 93 octane? Any long term ill effects of using the higher octane with this engine? In the owners manual it briefly mentions better performance with the premium gas but then notes 87 is fine. Just wondering if they changed that requirement when gas was $4 a gallon and their sales suffered.

Secondly, I have always changed my own oil. How much work is it to do this with the new Beetles? Is it just a typical oil filter and drain plug like before? Do I need to remove any hardware to get at it?

Thanks all!

I look forward to being enlightened by the members of this forum and hope to return the favor once I learn more.

[scarabY2k]

Hmm, If you had a 1.8t before, it was a turbo. Never heard of a non-turbo 1.8t. The "T" designates the engine as a turbo. Anyhoo, congrats on the 2k10 nbc!

If i'm not mistaken, the 2010 nB's have an cartridge filter vs. the conventional disposable all in one filters.

Hope to see you one the org more. You South/North Carolina beetle owners need to start a Carolina nB owners thread.... you all are exploding here on the org

[2010BeetleConv]

Maybe it was a turbo...It was a long time ago. I didn't think it was. Maybe it was a 1.8L engine not T. Anyway...what is a cartridge filter? Is it worth me doing it or should I just bring it to the deal, 10 miles away. I've always done oil myself so I know its done right.

Does VW require the use of synthetic oil? I heard you were supposed to switch over at 5000 miles.

Anyone else know about the octane issue?

[Maggadog]

As I understand it,yes you need synthetic oil. A cartridge filter has a replaceable filter like a hot tub filter inside a permanent casing. You remove the casing, replace the filter, then the casing goes back over the filter.
I tried using higher octane fuel in my '06. Did not seem to make any difference, so I currently use the 87 octane.

[boogety boogety]

Yes, synth oil Always. And regular gas is fine. You won't get any extra performance or mileage benefits by using Premium.

Here you go if you're doing your own (thanks to our buddy, salsa-man, for his outstanding DIY):

2.5 Oil Change How-to.

You need 7 quarts of 5w-40 505.01/502 spec synth oil and the appropriate filter. Add the oil drain tool in plastic or in metal, and a VW/Audi oil filter housing removal tool from any auto supply store or eBay, and you're all set...

If you get a MityVac, you can do it without even putting the car on jackstands. The filter drain is accessible from the front of the car by reaching underneath. Take off the dust cap, screw in the oil drain gadget, and the oil comes right out, no muss, no fuss. Take off the oil fill cap, pull the dipstick, insert the MityVac tube, pump a few times, and go grab a (soft) beverage. In ten minutes, the oil is all out, you can unscrew the oil filter housing, put in the new filter, close that part up; remove the MityVac tube, put in 6.3 quarts of oil (save the rest for topping off if you need to), check the level; if OK, replace the dipstick and the oil filler cap, start up the car and make sure the oil light goes out, shut off engine, check for the unlikely ocurrence of any leaks, and you're done for the day. Enjoy another (adult) beverage.

Good luck!

[ECS Tuning]

We have oil service kits available if needed that include 502 approved oil, filter and drain plug, they can be found here on the website for the 2.5L cars:

Volkswagen New Beetle 2.5L > Maintenance > Engine > Service Kits - ECS Tuning Inc