Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[kawabanga]

you are simply negligent.

Sorry, but I don't agree at all, Polo GTI's engine is a almost a bug, if in 1650Kms the oil lamp comes up it's 99% because he is one of the 50% faulty 1.4TSI.
Correct is to go immediately to the dealer, ask for a free top up and require immediately an oil consumption test...

With 1.4TSI, VW should make amends, apologize and take immediate action for every little doubt about oil matter....

[Zepelin]

Thanks for the advice guys, I did check the oil once since I owned the car from new, but should have checked it a few more times.

I will give the dealership a call today and get her topped up with oil asap.

Another thing I want to add is that I have always been letting the car warm up before revving over 3000rpm as has been discussed here previously. But the day before the oil light came on I stupidly took a mate for a quick burn when the engine wasn't warmed up properly, don't know if this caused the oil usage but may have contributed to it.

I'm still happy with the car anyway.

[Diesel_vert]

Thanks for the advice guys, I did check the oil once since I owned the car from new, but should have checked it a few more times.

Having personally followed this thread for some time now, it's easy to say one should have checked the oil level more frequently...

But if I'm totally honest, I personally wouldn't expect a brand new car in this day and age to use so much oil, that the oil light would turn on after just 1650 km (unless it's a rotary engine).

I will give the dealership a call today and get her topped up with oil asap.

I just noticed you are in New Zealand, so I'm not sure what the policy is over there regarding complimentary oil top ups.

Another thing I want to add is that I have always been letting the car warm up before revving over 3000rpm as has been discussed here previously. But the day before the oil light came on I stupidly took a mate for a quick burn when the engine wasn't warmed up properly, don't know if this caused the oil usage but may have contributed to it.

I highly doubt it.

The engine may be poorly designed, but it isn't that sensitive or fragile - it's just a 2012 Volkswagen Polo, not a 1964 Aston Martin DB5!

[Zepelin]

Just rang the dealer, actually the sales guy that sold me the car. He was very good about it - asked if I had been doing any long drives, I said yes, a few, although I do live in the city so quite a few short trips also.

Anyway he said he had a bottle of oil for me that I could take and top up myself at home in 500ml lots, or as required and I assume complimentary so that is great service!

[brad]

Thanks for the advice guys, I did check the oil once since I owned the car from new, but should have checked it a few more times.

I will give the dealership a call today and get her topped up with oil asap.

Another thing I want to add is that I have always been letting the car warm up before revving over 3000rpm as has been discussed here previously. But the day before the oil light came on I stupidly took a mate for a quick burn when the engine wasn't warmed up properly, don't know if this caused the oil usage but may have contributed to it.

I'm still happy with the car anyway.

Doubt the one-off aberation would have caused the oil usage. Keep doing what you are doing. Check oil level every tank of fuel (700km?). You won't know if you have an issue until after 5000km. Oil usage should taper off gradually (hopefully).

[Zakarados]

So, it looks like I have one of those engine oil drinkers. After 1000km I filled 1L of engine oil, now at 2000km and the check oil light just came on. I will be heading into VW tomorrow to get it topped up.

The light came on just as I was entering my house, and VW is approx 20km away, it should be safe to drive there?

[Karly101]

Okay. I'm now almost 5,000km into the new engine, no oil usage until 600km ago where I added just under a litre. Checked my oil last night as its booked in for a service today and its almost empty.

So not happy.

[gavs]

Karly, don't forget that the dipstick only shows ~1L of the entire oil volume in the engine and if you have been driving differently, ala more city stop-start driving vs freeway or more mountainous driving vs flat, these can all effect oil usage.

I hope that they do the breather fix for you and your consumption stabilises...

[Diesel_vert]

I wonder if everyone is following the proper procedure when checking the oil level...

It can be surprisingly easy to misread the level and inadvertently overfill.

[Transporter]

For those that didn't think about it.

The oil level should be checked with the engine at operating temperature, standing on the leveled ground, 5-10 minutes after you've switched the engine off. Put only small amounts of oil in and recheck it, as Diesel_vert says, it's easy to overfill.