Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20 motor oil is recommended for the new high-performance gasoline and diesel engines in emerging European vehicles that require SAE 0W-20 viscosity grades.

Whilst I agree that it's a bad show if your dealer doesn't know which oil your car takes, that should be a different topic. A tad harsh, especially given that you got the answer to your original question after the first reply. You pays your money and takes your chance. The reality here is that VW 508.00 isn't as common as other VAG-approved grades and is therefore harder to find at a cheap price. As also mentioned, Quantum (the oil your Skoda dealership uses) doesn't seem to offer 508 yet either, so your choices are limited to VW own-branded, or the premium regular brands, Castrol etc. VW tweaked that engine for Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 crowd, not VW crowd. They increased warranty since they want customers. They are being aggressive going after Toyota, Honda buyers, neglecting traditional VW customers. Problem is, Toyota/Honda customers are not as forgiving as VW traditional customers who are willing to live with some VW strings attached to get good driving dynamics for that class. By the way, Mobil1 for Germany recommends M1 5W30 ESP VW504.00/507.00 oil for fixed intervals on versions with 137kw and 167kw. For long drain intervals it is recommended 0W20. That means engineering wise, HTHS of 3.5 or higher is perfectly fine.

Volkswagen Motor Oil Specifications

Dear Mr silver1011, unbeknown to you or anyone else here, I have a condition that causes me to inhabit a slightly different world and to see things through different eyes than you do. So whilst I rarely set out to be rude or abrupt, what I wrote, that you describe as a tad harsh, is normal for me. Putting the 508 00 oil in an older engine is probably more of a concern, but if you're in warranty and want to preserve it the 508 00 oil is what is required and they can tell the difference. The dealer will see a difference if they look. And this isn't the only mis-application tracer that is in the oil. Mobil 1™ ESP X2 0W-20 advanced full synthetic motor oil is specifically designed to provide outstanding engine cleanliness, wear protection, strong durability and advanced fuel economy to keep your engine running like new. Recommended for high-performance engines Tolerances in that engine are exactly the same as in my Tiguan. Nothing changed from that stand point.

VW 508 00 is a specification issued and approved by Volkswagen (VW) for petrol engine vehicles with low consumption. The certificate refers to the latest low viscosity engine oil of 0W20 to reduce friction and guarantee fuel efficiency. For the best performance, the manufacturers recommend changing the oil two years or after 19,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the oil is for top-ups then I'd avoid oil that is close, or has passed its expiry date. If you're looking to do a DIY oil change and using all of it immediately I'd have no qualms using oil only a few months past the expiry date. You'll see from the other thread I linked to earlier that I too was unaware of the expiry dates on oil. Every day is a school day. If you’re looking for approved oils that meet VW 508 00, look no further than this list! Whether you find an affordable option or a high-end brand, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs. What are VW 508 00 Oil Specs?

Halfords 5W30 Fully Synthetic Oil 8 - 2 Litres

As for VW testing oil? Do not forget that VW is still paying oil debacle with 1.8T when they recommended "quality" oil (that was first attempt to get Toyota/Honda customers so they did not want to burden buyers with more complex oil requirements). I bet someone was there who said: VW tested that oil. Dealer cannot figure out difference based on dye. Dye is there to spot leaks, nothing to do with grade. Volkswagen introduced its own specifications in mid '90s. Since then this classification system is the starting point for selecting the technically suitable products for all vehicles manufactured by the VW group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda). We need better fleet mpg, as well as facts (so we do not have to lie again) that our cars consuming less fuel. If I buy new Tiguan, VW specifically is saying VW 504.00/507.00 is allowed. Per Magnusson-Moss Act I can change my own oil in garage or parking lot as long as I use oil that is specified for that engine (though you are in Europe and that does not apply to you. Those laws are written for EU by VW probably). VW says VW504.00/507.00 is allowed. So, please, what are other markers. Because I actually do use oil that besides BMW LL-04 meets also VW504.00/507.00. I have not seen anything extraordinary in the color of that oil compare to Castrol 0W40 or any other oil that does not meet VW504.00/507.00. Again, even in EU VW allows heavy oils to be used in their "new" engines. Take into consideration that consumer in this case is much more protected in the U.S. then in UK. Maybe in UK VW can get away by claiming that owners MUST use VW508.00/509.00 (they do not). But in the U.S. that will not work. Keep in mind, OP lives in the U.S.

Hopefully there are more mainstream approved oils soon. It doesn’t look like any crazy spec, so hoping Amsoil or another steps up to the plate. I don’t disagree that a 504 would be just fine...or so I think. However this is a new version of the 2.0t. With vw now having a much longer warranty, I’d guess this has been tested with a 0w20, as vw can’t have a rash of claims. Note this engine is also used in Audi vehicles. The oil itself is used in the s4 from what I heard. The 508 00/509 00 specification specifically requires that a dye is added to the oil to make misapplication less easy. It is not a UV dye and it is not limited to a specific manufacturer, it is VW's requirement for all oils that meet 508 00/509 00. And as I said, if it came to a warranty claim there are other markers in the oil that can be found. Mobil 1 ESP X2 0W-20 motor oil is our latest technology combining durability and protection with a low-viscosity, low-friction motor oil designed in cooperation with key European Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).* It has been expertly engineered to help prolong the life and maintain the efficiency of emission systems in new emerging diesel and gasoline-powered European vehicles that require SAE 0W-20 viscosity grades. Always consult the owner’s manual of the vehicle for the manufacturer’s recommended viscosity grade and specifications.But, VW504.00/507.00 is still OK. Meaning, we designed those engines some times ago around heavier oils, and if you really insist you can use HTHS 3.5 or higher (actually maybe you should). Last tme VW did this short/long drain interval mambo-jumbo they had debacle with unit-injector camshafts on markets with long drain intervals.