So, what's the correct OCI for a 2.0T? He-he, that's a million dollar question.
First, a couple of "givens":
[ul][*]Every engine (not engine type, I'm talking every individual
engine) abuses its oil differently from every other engine.[*]Every environment causes the oil to be affected in unique ways that can affect its useful life.[*]Every driver in unique in how they drive and as such, the actions of said driver can dramatically affect how long oil should be left in an engine.[/ul]
So, with the "givens" out of the way, I'll tell you what I've learned regarding 2.0T Oil Change Intervals (OCIs):
The Used Oil Analysis reports (UOAs) that I've read for this particular engine design indicate (as a general statement) that lots of hard driving and/or lots of short trips causes the oil to become fuel diluted to an unacceptable level somewhere between five and seven thousand miles. The flip side of course are the UOAs that I've read from folks who have a long steadyspeed commute indicating that even ten thousand miles is a bit conservative (especially if you use Mobil 1 0W-40 which has the highest TBN of any 503.01 certified oil that I've heard about).
I'm thinking that if any given car is driven "normally" (i.e. decent length trips that allow the engine to fully warm, and not a lot of racing), then a 7,500 mile OCI would be a good place to start. Drive harder and/or shorter distances, shorten the OCI to 5,000 miles. Drive long distances at a stretch, push the oil further.
With the above fresh in your mind, please remember that it is advice that is worth
exactly what you paid for it. The only absolutely sure way to exactly determine what is the best OCI for any given engine in any given car with any given set of drivers is to send the oil out and have it analyzed a couple of times. If/when my wife and/or I buy an A3, I'll be sure to have the first oil change performed on schedule at the 5,000 mile mark, and then "augment" the 15,000 and 25,000 mile oil services with an intermediate 5,000 mile change (i.e. at 10,000 and 20,000 miles). I will then send out a sample of the 25,000 mile oil (which will probably Mobil 1 0W-40) and have it tested. Assuming that the Total Base Number (TBN) is still strong (it should be
very strong), and assuming the fuel dilution isn't too high (i.e. less than 2%), I'll extend my next OCI to 7,500 miles, and resubmit a sample. If the second still shows that it'sgot enough life left in it, I'll shoot for 10,000 miles. Needless to say, I'll keep y'all posted.
