German made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 question
German made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 question For about the last 2 years I have been using the German made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 oil in my 02 Z28. I put about 2-3k on my car per year so I change the oil once a year. I started seeing the threads about how Autozone would no longer be carrying this oil so I decided to see how much of it I could find so I would be set for the new few years. In 2 days I was able to find about 5 cases. The last 2 cases I found have the "Made in Germany" label on them but the bottle looks totally different. Below are the pictures of both bottle types. Are these exactly the same? They appear to have all the same markings and bar code numbers. The picture to the left is the bottle I'm used to getting at my local Autozone. Just curious if anyone knows.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
From: Midland, TX
I would check the bottom of the bottles. If the code starts with M03 or M04 then its the green stuff. If it is the M05 then it is the gold stuff. This is probably the only difference. I have yet to run into the gold stuff here. Does it also have the alcohol type smell that the green stuff does?
Originally Posted by Kirby
I would check the bottom of the bottles. If the code starts with M03 or M04 then its the green stuff. If it is the M05 then it is the gold stuff. This is probably the only difference. I have yet to run into the gold stuff here. Does it also have the alcohol type smell that the green stuff does?
Last edited by Mike02Z; Feb 9, 2006 at 05:13 PM.
So is everybody running this 0W-30 in the summer months. I usually run Mobil 1 but just bought a 99SS and there was a sticker from SLP that states it was factory filled with Castrol Syntec so I figured I would keep using it as the previous owner was using it. Just wondering if I should be running the 10W-30 or can I use the 0W-30 since it will just be a summer vehicle.
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Originally Posted by anestech*
Okay, I just tried two different Autozones and discovered that they no longer carry the 0-30... Any ideas as to where to find any? What about this 5-40 that they have now?
I do not think Autozone is carrying it anymore in most of its stores. I asked one of the guys at a store near me if he could order it and he said his screen had a code which said it could not be ordered. I think you'll only find it at stores that still have some left on their shelves. I was told about a month ago that I would never find it at Autozone and I actually would up finding quite a bit of it. I think I have about 40 bottles now. I'm hoarding it for my Z.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by 01 Red WS6
I've been to a few autozones around my house and job and only two carry it. The ones that didn't were smaller stores.
I just picked up the last 13 qts. at my local Autozone. Only one was the Green color.
The guy said they will be stocking it but only a couple cases at a time. I guess I will just keep checking.
The guy said they will be stocking it but only a couple cases at a time. I guess I will just keep checking.
I just found 11 more bottles of it and five of those were the green stuff. The numbers on the green ones were M04. So far I have hit five auto zones and have only found it at two of them. I'm sure there is more out there but I'm out of somewhat close autozones.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, eNVy
I found some at a bigger one. I didn't open them, but they looked like the same package as last time. They did have a couple bottles of the one that says "European Formula" or something like that, that I assume is the Belgian version. I picked up 12 quarts, so I'm good for a year or so.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, eNVy
Originally Posted by anestech*
I found some at a bigger one. I didn't open them, but they looked like the same package as last time. They did have a couple bottles of the one that says "European Formula" or something like that, that I assume is the Belgian version. I picked up 12 quarts, so I'm good for a year or so.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach
Originally Posted by Mike02Z
For about the last 2 years I have been using the German made Castrol Syntec 0w-30 oil in my 02 Z28. I put about 2-3k on my car per year so I change the oil once a year. I started seeing the threads about how Autozone would no longer be carrying this oil so I decided to see how much of it I could find so I would be set for the new few years. In 2 days I was able to find about 5 cases. The last 2 cases I found have the "Made in Germany" label on them but the bottle looks totally different. Below are the pictures of both bottle types. Are these exactly the same? They appear to have all the same markings and bar code numbers. The picture to the left is the bottle I'm used to getting at my local Autozone. Just curious if anyone knows.