Checking Engine Oil Level / Oil Consumption / Oil Light On

[Diesel_vert]

As the VW oil spec is 5w-30 you may be void your warranty by using something different to the VW approved oils

That's not strictly accurate.

Volkswagen recommends the use of 502.00 or 504.00 lubricants for the vast majority of their petrol engines.

The use of 504.00 is only compulsory for vehicles on the LongLife regime (variable service intervals). Otherwise, the use of either 502.00 or 504.00 is acceptable.

Volkswagen does not recommend a particular viscosity grade for the vast majority of their vehicles.



The VW 502.00 specification limits the SAE viscosity grades to the following; 10W-40, 10W-30, 5W-40, 5W-30, 0W-40, 0W-30 (and one can easily see the variety of viscosity grades available on the list of approved 502/505 lubricants).

The VW 504.00 & VW 507.00 specification limits the SAE viscosity grade to 5W-30 (to the best of my knowledge).

Of course, these specifications are by no means set in stone and are subject to change as the manufacturer (Volkswagen) sees fit.

[Lucas_R]

So some people do not check the oil anywhere near often enough - i think im the opposite of those people. My Golf doesn't use any oil, although i still check the oil every 7-10 days just to keep an eye on it. I noticed there was a few drops of oil on my garage floor the other day, so i jacked the car up to have a look - and sure enough, the oil filter cannister hadn't been tightened up enough at it's service the week before. Degreased the area, tightened the cannister to recommended torque spec it was good to go.

Same with our other car, a 18 month old Mazda, which also doesn't use any oil - yet i still check it every 7-10 days (along with a quick look over the brake fluid/radiator fluid etc) just to keep ontop of things.

So despite neither of my cars using oil, i still check them on a regular basis. If you know your car uses oil, wouldn't that prompt you to check it at certain time or kilometer based intervals to keep an eye on it, and keep a 1L top up bottle in the boot for emergencies?

[Ideo]

So some people do not check the oil anywhere near often enough - i think im the opposite of those people. My Golf doesn't use any oil, although i still check the oil every 7-10 days just to keep an eye on it. I noticed there was a few drops of oil on my garage floor the other day, so i jacked the car up to have a look - and sure enough, the oil filter cannister hadn't been tightened up enough at it's service the week before. Degreased the area, tightened the cannister to recommended torque spec it was good to go.

Same with our other car, a 18 month old Mazda, which also doesn't use any oil - yet i still check it every 7-10 days (along with a quick look over the brake fluid/radiator fluid etc) just to keep ontop of things.

So despite neither of my cars using oil, i still check them on a regular basis. If you know your car uses oil, wouldn't that prompt you to check it at certain time or kilometer based intervals to keep an eye on it, and keep a 1L top up bottle in the boot for emergencies?

Exactly. I check my oil every second fill up. And I don't use any oil at all.

It's basic maintenance that a lot of people overlook.

[Diesel_vert]

Most engines will be fine so long as the oil level is kept between the MIN and MAX lines.

However, it's generally best practice to keep the oil level near as close as possible to the MAX line.



I have a theory that the general populace have forgotten what it's like to regularly inspect the car and have been spoilt by the general trend of increased reliability and reduced maintenance requirements of modern cars over the decades, particularly in markets where Japanese marques dominate the sales charts.

But notwithstanding the fact that VW have decided to make certain batches of cars feature abnormal or elevated levels of oil consumption that would make a rotary owner blush, 15 000 km or 12 months is a long period between services. A modern car can handle such schedules of course, but from an owner's point of view, a lot can happen within that distance or timeframe.

In exchange for the manufacturer reducing the frequency of services, the onus is on the owner to carry out basic checks between services. Electronic sensors reduce what (little) burden there is, but it doesn't hurt to periodically check manually, if only to confirm the sensors are still functioning, which are of course, not immune to malfunction.

[changas]

hello all! thanks for all the replies, my last post was done in haste so I may not have been as clear as I would have liked to been.

overall, ownership of the car has been brilliant. with regards to checking my oil, believe me, I check it quite regularly (particular during the previous summer as well as before long road trips and normally when i fill up provided it's not pissing down or freezing cold) - I carry multiple 1L bottles in the car currently.

more than comfortable with the level of oil in the car as long as it's between min / max. The method of madness was suggested by the tech guys to assist in monitoring oil consumption (roughly 1L between min / max). Basically, they wanted me to monitor the L / 1000km usage, log it and bring it in as, in their own words, was within acceptable guidelines however with the type of driving that I do and the period of ownership it was a bit unusual.

during the different services they've adjusted / updated the fuel management system (code 87vw007), replaced the PCV valve /gasket due to an internal mechanical fault (vw06f129101n + vw06f103483e), did a through check to ensure there were no leaks (as well as being checked by myself), updated my DSG software as it was quite clunky - apparently a confirmed complaint (would mis-gear and rev out quite often) refer to TPI 2026959/3.

To be honest, it's been quite an experience with this vehicle, the amount of electronics compared to the other vehicles that i have owned.

as i stated before, my concern is that it appears to be worsening and is on the threshold of what the owners manual states (1 L / 2000km) if you hadn't noticed in my previous post, I've exceeded that in my last occurrence @523mL /1000km OR 1.046L/2000km.

Please hear my out, I am not criticizing the vehicle, I have been very happy with it. Coming from other Japanese and Euro vehicles, I have just found that this oil consumption behavior is
A) somewhat unusual for a relatively new vehicle
B) concerning due to my perception that the oil usage exceeding guidelines
C) and due to the fact that my warranty is running out, i don't want to find out after warranty that my rings need replacing or something else

in terms of what is currently being actioned, I've been given a case manager and a reference number from VW Australia but due to their overwhelming work load I won't receive an update until later next week.

I guess what I'm here for is for perhaps other individuals whom have gone through a similar experience or if there is anyone that has very intricate knowledge of these cars to share some of their wisdom.

edit: i'm not trying to get in a **** fight with anyone regarding whether or not the manual has been read, the viscosity of oils and the difference between approved / recommended, etc...just some constructive discussion about whether or not I should really be concerned and if not, why? and vice versa...I'm sure overall the community would benefit from such constructive discussion.

[brad]

Hillbilly

VW don't specify a viscosity rating in their oil specs. It's just pure coincidence that all 504/507 spec oils are 5w-30. It is theoretically possible that a 504/507 spec oil can be 5w-40 (or any other combo of numbers) it's just that nobody has bothered to market it yet.

It's also possible & within warranty guidelines to use 5w-40 502.00 (which is available in several grades) on petrol engines & still retain warranty as VW list this in the owners manual as an acceptable lubricant.

[darkfriend]

Hi all.

My 2012 GTI is using up to 1L oil per 1000km. It is still young- only done 6800km. VW are doing an oil consumption test. Any idea what they will do if it fails? Should compression also be tested?

I bought the car second-hand (with 2200km on the clock) Could the previous owner have stuffed up the engine in such a short time?

Just a little worried. Any advice appreciated.

[vinh]

My R has already used 1L @ 6,000 KM

[nat225]

My mk6 gti barely use any oil under normal driving conditions on public roads, now at 28000km. On legal race tracks it is different story as u do push it hard.

I did my best to stick with the vw owner manual during the first 1500km running in period. But i am sure others have different opinions which have been discussed to death here.

Also, i rarely push it hard when the oil temp is still under 85 degrees.

[darkfriend]

My R has already used 1L @ 6,000 KM

1L per 6000km when new is nothing.... the 1L per 1000km that I'm using is a little more significant