Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[gavs]

Good point Skal....

What Ross said is correct, get a dealership to put that claim in writing and they won't because it's another lie. The oil they put in is compliant with 504/507 oil specs and if they claim otherwise, just ask for proof.

[Skal]

What's your opinion on the 1 year or 2 year service being necessary gavs?

[Diesel_vert]

There is nothing in any of the manuals that specifies a 12 month service BTW. Read it for yourself - it states long life 2 years, although Australian dealers insist on a 15,000k service.

There are two service regimes: 'LongLife' and 'Time & Distance'.

The LongLife regime has variable service intervals (15 000 km/1 year ~ 30 000 km/2 years) as determined by on-board sensors, depending on how the car is driven. Use of 504/507 oil is mandatory.

The Time & Distance regime has fixed service intervals (15 000 km/1 year). Use of either 502/505 or 504/507 oil is acceptable.


AFAIK, vehicles only delivered in Europe, UK (and possibly Japan) are on the LongLife regime, but have the option to revert to the Time & Distance regime via the dealer.

For the rest if the world, vehicles are on the Time & Distance regime, with no option to switch to the LongLife regime.

Some countries have further reduced service intervals due to fuel quality issues or whatever (like Brazil, Russia, India, China, etc).

Can I ask them to reset so it won't bug me for a service until 15,000 or 2 years have actually passed?

You can ask, but services are fixed at 15 000 km/1 year in Australia, even if you use 504/507 oil.

[RossP]

What is of concern at any time is the condition of your oil, whether at 1 year or 1 month. For the first 5,000k's my car had massive fuel & blow by contamination. Ironically, while I was having the oil consumption test done the other day, I spotted an add in a 4x4 mag that was sitting on their table. It was for a DIY oil condition tester. They are being cleared by Proquip. I have bought enough to supply 30 tests to forum members who want to check their oil condition. I will have to talk to the mods about how to make them available. However, the packs are still available on ebay @ $25 for 6 tests. Here: eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d
Cheers

[Diesel_vert]

What is of concern at any time is the condition of your oil, whether at 1 year or 1 month. For the first 5,000k's my car had massive fuel & blow by contamination. Ironically, while I was having the oil consumption test done the other day, I spotted an add in a 4x4 mag that was sitting on their table. It was for a DIY oil condition tester. They are being cleared by Proquip. I have bought enough to supply 30 tests to forum members who want to check their oil condition. I will have to talk to the mods about how to make them available. However, the packs are still available on ebay @ $25 for 6 tests. Here: eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d
Cheers

It's quick, but IMHO too rudimentary.

An oil analysis would be more indicative of the engine's condition. See here: The Oil Analysis Report - Oilcheck Pty Ltd

[Zakarados]

I am the complete opposite to the past few posts, why would you want to stretch out services? The more the better for the engine, not so much for your wallet.

Does anyone do DIY oil changes between the 15,000km/1 year advised timing?

I am looking into doing it for 7,500km/6 month period. Oil and oil filters are relatively cheap and ensures clean engine oil and free flowing filter. This is quite important if you drive the car HARD, in hot temps and in stop start traffic. I don't have the manual on me, but I'm sure it says to service earlier if in harsh conditions.

I used to change my engine oil and oil filter in my Integra every 5,000km total of around $50 per DIY, the Polo will cost a little more due to the more exi oil. 1 hours work, for a nicer running engine, sounds worth it to me.

[kaanage]

Quick and (possibly) rudimentary beats nothing or eyeballing.

Here's some more info (not that I've used it but it does look reasonable) Engine Test and Analysis - EngineCheckUp!

[Diesel_vert]

Does anyone do DIY oil changes between the 15,000km/1 year advised timing?

I am looking into doing it for 7,500km/6 month period.

Some people do, yes.

sounds worth it to me.

That depends on your driving conditions and the condition of the oil.
Some will benefit from more frequent changes, others will find it unnecessary.

Quick and (possibly) rudimentary beats nothing or eyeballing.

Here's some more info (not that I've used it but it does look reasonable) Engine Test and Analysis - EngineCheckUp!

Perhaps it is better than nothing and that maybe I was being too judgemental on it being rudimentary - it would appear to be a valid tool for determining the condition of the oil itself (but not the engine).

However, depending on the design of the engine and formulation of the lubricant, the condemnation limits for wear metals, soot, fuel dilution, oxidation, etc will vary (as determined by the manufacturer).

For instance, it is quite possible that a lubricant can tolerate x.x% fuel dilution and x.x% soot and still be able to protect the engine. This can be verified by an oil analysis performed at a laboratory (as shown by wear metals in ppm).

[prcurrie]

For instance, it is quite possible that a lubricant can tolerate x.x% fuel dilution and x.x% soot and still be able to protect the engine. This can be verified by an oil analysis performed at a laboratory (as shown by wear metals in ppm).

Do you know who performs proper lab tests and the $$??

[Diesel_vert]

Do you know who performs proper lab tests and the $$??

There should be a few companies out there that do this. I've already mentioned Oilcheck Pty Ltd. Most oil companies may also perform oil analysis as well.

Not sure of cost, probably $30-$50 per sample.