We're generally skeptical of products with big claims, especially when they're made by oil companies. Still we couldn't turn down the opportunity to test products 'for free' with the promise of complete journalistic license.

There are 3 components in the VAG Total Engine Care package - an engine flush, injector cleaner and an engine protector. The product's marketing spiel was fairly well written - read it here on VAG's website: The VAG Total Engine Care Package.

Typical of such additives, the engine flushing component was added to the old oil (we'd only had 3000km on it actually) while the injector cleaner went into the fuel tank. Our 2.0TFSI engine was then left to idle for 15 minutes (all that 98RON going to waste!) before the car was jacked up to drain the old oil.

This was the point we were most interested in, and we carefully watched the oil that came out our car's oil pan. Instead of starting to dribble and drip as it neared the last 20%, the old oil ran smoothly all the way almost to it's final few drops. It must have helped that the oil was nice and hot, but we were taken aback at how black the oil was, with only 3k since our last service.

We were told that was the work of the engine flush, as it had dissolved much of the sludge that had accumulated over the 83,000km of our test car's lifespan. We were invited to rub some of the oil between our fingers, and indeed we could feel the fine grit suspended in the oil. That had apparently been busy grinding away at the insides of our engine!

Next came CERA TEC, which was added into the engine together with the fresh oil. You can read more about CERA TEC and its benefits for Audi engines on www.vag.sg. We were told the effects would start to be felt over the next 24 hours and get progressively better over the next week or so, and continue for the next 50,000km. Yes CERA TEC is supposed to last all of 50,000 - or 2.5 years for the average Singaporean driver.

With a hearty handshake, we then left VAG to their last minute opening day preparations.

First Impressions

To be perfectly frank, we'd completely forgotten about the oil change by the next day. But about 20km after the service, we were suddenly struck by how much quieter the engine had become. Turning off the radio, we could hardly detect engine noise. The dreaded FSI clatter familiar to many Audi owners had been greatly minimized.

Over the next 4 days, we carefully monitored fuel consumption and our onboard computer showed we were getting an extra 1km/litre, now averaging 9.3km/litre in city driving. Added to the lighter throttle feel, we felt justified to call VAG Singapore over the weekend to voice our praise for their product.

We're going to be putting the car through more tests, but our first impressions of VAG's Total Engine Care Package are good. Very impressive, boring name notwithstanding.

VAG is running a launch promotion for their Audi engine care package - which it claims is especially beneficial for turbocharged cars and those with FSI engines. Let us know how things go if you decide to try this package.