What type of oil to use? 1995 1.9tdi (90bhp)

[daver74]

Hi all, I've just acquired a 1995 A4 tdi (the 90bhp version) and want to do an oil change asap. I'm not too sure what grade to use for this engine though. Should I just use 10w-40? Or do I need a 5w-40? I don't have the original owners manual unfortunately. Thanks. :D

[adamss24]

If its a high milleage car, then the best to use might be 10w40 semi synthetic. The reason is, if the car has been run on mineral oils all her life(look for gunk inside the rocker cover), if you will use fully synthethic oil-because of the powerfull detergents in it, it will wash off carbon deposits and any cracks that might have been plugged by the carbon, then you will do more harm than good !