topping up oil?

jackieb

How often does the oil need topped up in a car? We've had this car for almost 2 years - a 2L petrol Audi A4. Every couple of months the oil light comes on. I read the manual and it says that every 2000 miles the car will need topped up by about 500ml, which is what I do. We get the oil changed during its service and the car runs good, no problems.

It's just that with previous cars we didn't have a light on the dash, so we never topped it up between oil changes. Should every car have this done as routine.

As you can tell, I was lax in checking oil levels between services.

balsingh

I wouldnt expect a car to use that much oil unless thts a characteritic of the A4. If you're topping it up that often, are you sure its not burning it or leaking?

jackieb

No, it doesn't seem to. It's done this since we got it. We've had it into the Audi dealership for a major service, and also took it into a local garage when the engine management light came on (got it on the computer diagnosis thing and all that showed up was a leak in the brake pipe, but got that replaced.)

As I said it runs fine, no black smoke, no oil leaks (but there is a pan under the engine so I don't know if we would notice it if there was - but pretty sure there isn't).

molerat

Oil levels should be checked weekly (as part of your weekly check ..... tyres, wipers, lights, brake fluid, PAS fluid etc ) or before a long journey. What would happen if the bulb went. Mega £. :eek:

Some cars use more oil than others and consumption varies with the type of driving. My old Rover never used any oil but my Focus uses about 1/4 litre every 6000. VAG are renowned for high oil usage and they love v expensive oil.

Quinny_2

As an HGV driver,I check the oil every day,as part of my daily checks,although on my Peugeot 406 HDi,I check it once a week,even though the graphics on the dashboard,will tell me if it is low.(Never trust electronics.)

I would be very surprised if it needs oil every 2k,and especially half a litre a time.I have done 19k in my car since I got it in August 2005,and I can't remember it needing any oil between services.

Check the obvious signs under the car,like leaks.If you have a garage,then put a sheet of clean paper under the car when you put it away at night.This will reveal if it is leaking.If you don't have a garage,then look under the car on a morning,before you start it.Either way,if it leaks,then there will be fresh oil underneath.

If there are no obvious signs,then it has to be burning it off.Look for blue smoke behind you,as you accelerate,or get someone to follow you,and look for smoke.

You don't say how old the car is,or what mileage it has done.

If it has a good few miles on the clock,then expect it to use a bit of oil,but I wouldn't think as much as you are saying.

Whatever you find out,then do post back,and let us know the outcome.

Ken.

jackieb

Tell me about it! It cost £160 to get the oil changed in the automatic gearbox.

The bulbs are a pain to get changed. But I know a man who can (local car accessory shop - they change it for the price of the bulb )

jackieb

It is a 2002 with 60k on the clock. We have lock block paving and there's definately no oil on there.

molerat

I work in a motor factor and was suprised by the amount of the special VAG oil we sell. People regurlarly buy it in 4 litres for top ups.

jackieb

molerat wrote:

I work in a motor factor and was suprised by the amount of the special VAG oil we sell. People regurlarly buy it in 4 litres for top ups.

Thanks for that. I don't know anyone else with a VW or Audi to ask. My brother has a new Skoda, not sure if that will be similar.

chrisw

You'll probably find it's well within spec. They usually specify something like 1 litre per 1000 miles. My new VW Passat TDI uses about 1 litre per 10,000 miles, but my wife's petrol Peugeot 406 uses virtually none during its 20,000 mile service interval.

jonuk7

A good friend of mine is driving a Golf GTI (2005) and he finds it needs topping up every 2000ish miles depending on how he drives it, if he "hammers" it everywhere he ends up topping it up sooner.