GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: markheinrich on 10 June 2015, 13:30

Title: oil consumption
Post by: markheinrich on 10 June 2015, 13:30
Hello all,
I took delivery of a demonstrator GTI Performance Pack with 4,266 miles on the clock in March. It has driven faultlessly since and is now at a little over 8,000 miles. The only funny thing is that the car does not seem to have consumed any noticeable amount of oil. The oil dipstick reading looks no different from the day I first collected the car, that is, close to the maximum reading. Is this normal? I have driven mainly on UK highways, and not over 85-90 mph. Any insights welcome. Cheers. Mark
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: ArtC on 10 June 2015, 14:24
My 20,000KM GTI PP has also consumed zero oil, so maybe these engines use less than previous VW petrol turbos?
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Hawaii-Five-O on 10 June 2015, 14:32
Actually my low oil warning lamp came on just before my second service (an inspection service - the bigger one). It had done approximately 18,250 miles so they do need topping up now and again. Funnily it had all new oil at it's service so topping up was a bit of a waste but I thought I shouldn't risk it.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: ajmoir36 on 11 June 2015, 21:33
My R in 3500 miles has used just over half of the chequed area in oil what ever that equates to.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: dereks on 12 June 2015, 08:04
I'm at 8.5k in my GTi, no oil used. :smiley:
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: GeoBog on 12 June 2015, 18:59
almost 11k on the clock. Coincidence or not, today on my way home the oil light came on. It is scheduled for it's first service at the end of the month. I will top it up tomorrow just in case.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Snooze on 12 June 2015, 19:20
I've had my car 2 weeks and I'm checking my oil every week for the first couple months. It's good practice to check your oil once a month once run in.

I would never leave it till my oil light came on. Damage has already been done by then.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: caprigreen on 12 June 2015, 20:52
Mine has used .75L over 5000 miles that's assuming they are supplied on the max mark from new. I did not check when I picked it up. Not sure if this is my fault for taking it easy as some say rev them in their early life. Glad I check regular as might have been caught out otherwise.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: GolfTi on 12 June 2015, 21:29
My last 3 GTIs have not needed a drop between services.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: itavaltalainen on 13 June 2015, 00:23
Needed top up just a bit over a litre in total .... and I am on nearly 70k...
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Robbie89 on 13 June 2015, 00:53
Had to top my oil up at about 5k miles and coolant soon after. Perfect since then
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Paul70 on 13 June 2015, 09:24
I'm sure there are many factors why some engines use more oil than others but I'm intrigued and what appreciate it if anyone can confirm based on experience. I understand that tolerances will play a part but I did hear many years ago that the main factor is how the car is run in, as this influences the seal between the piston rings and the cylinder bore. This guy also stated that cars with a better level of seal make more power which seems plausible, so if your engine uses oil it is not as efficient and therefore will not make as much power. From my experience, I ran my Civic Type R in very gently and it used oil and always made less power than other cars. Any views?   
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Snooze on 13 June 2015, 10:07
I'm sure there are many factors why some engines use more oil than others but I'm intrigued and what appreciate it if anyone can confirm based on experience. I understand that tolerances will play a part but I did hear many years ago that the main factor is how the car is run in, as this influences the seal between the piston rings and the cylinder bore. This guy also stated that cars with a better level of seal make more power which seems plausible, so if your engine uses oil it is not as efficient and therefore will not make as much power. From my experience, I ran my Civic Type R in very gently and it used oil and always made less power than other cars. Any views?   

Well every car is different and there are no hard and fast rules it would seem. I was gentle on my engine for the first couple hundred miles, but after asking the Stealer about running in, he said there was no need as the engines are already run in. So I have been giving it a bit more beans and it seems to be loosening up a bit now. I've only done about 600 miles so a little way to go yet. Oh and no oil used yet unsurprisingly!
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: GeoBog on 13 June 2015, 16:56
I've had my car 2 weeks and I'm checking my oil every week for the first couple months. It's good practice to check your oil once a month once run in.

I would never leave it till my oil light came on. Damage has already been done by then.

Being in the run in period it is mandatory to check it every week. When mine was in the run in period last year I was checking it every weekend and the level was always between max and min on the dipstick.

I've topped up today and it took 0.5L to show up on the dipstick at max level. Considering that this engine takes 5.7L of oil, don't see how 0.5L missing does any damage.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: monkeyhanger on 13 June 2015, 17:40
I'm sure there are many factors why some engines use more oil than others but I'm intrigued and what appreciate it if anyone can confirm based on experience. I understand that tolerances will play a part but I did hear many years ago that the main factor is how the car is run in, as this influences the seal between the piston rings and the cylinder bore. This guy also stated that cars with a better level of seal make more power which seems plausible, so if your engine uses oil it is not as efficient and therefore will not make as much power. From my experience, I ran my Civic Type R in very gently and it used oil and always made less power than other cars. Any views?   

7 new TDIs in a row and the only one that used oil between services had a real thirst for it - a litre in it's first 350 miles, another litre 350 miles later and 1L per 1000 miles thereafter. It was run in on motorway miles - it did 750 miles sat at 80mph within it's first 800 miles. I would never baby a car again on the run-in - lots of variety and don't be afraid to give it a bit of stick (up to 75% throttle) when the oil is warm.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: markheinrich on 14 June 2015, 14:41
Thanks to all for your insights. Am no longer concerned that my GTI may simply be giving me false readings as to its oil consumption. What about coolant consumption. Same thing - my car's coolant level doesn't seem to have budged in the 3,800 miles since I took delivery. In fact, the level is ABOVE the maximum recommended by the VW manual. Do dealers ignore such instructions?? Cheers. Mark
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Snooze on 14 June 2015, 18:05
Thanks to all for your insights. Am no longer concerned that my GTI may simply be giving me false readings as to its oil consumption. What about coolant consumption. Same thing - my car's coolant level doesn't seem to have budged in the 3,800 miles since I took delivery. In fact, the level is ABOVE the maximum recommended by the VW manual. Do dealers ignore such instructions?? Cheers. Mark

Ha ha as regards coolant level I'm guessing it doesn't matter if it's over max. My cars have always been over max when I've bought them from stealers. My coolant level is a little below max now after 2 weeks of ownership.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: AndyG on 14 June 2015, 19:57
What's the concensus about when to check the oil,cold engine or warmed up?I was going to check mine just now but 1 hour after a drive the oil temperature hasn't come down much, I was going to check it cold but is this correct?
On another note,mine only takes a few miles a lot less than my mk6 to get to running temperature no time at all.
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: TwoSheds on 14 June 2015, 20:40
I check mine as per what VW say:

" To ensure that the engine oil reading is correct, park the car on a level surface with the engine at operating temperature .
  Switch off and wait a few minutes for the engine oil to flow back into the sump "
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: Snooze on 14 June 2015, 20:47
Or you can just check it cold? Never heard of checking oil when engine is warm, the oil will be all around the engine so you won't get an accurate reading  :shocked:
Title: Re: oil consumption
Post by: TwoSheds on 14 June 2015, 20:57
Or you can just check it cold? Never heard of checking oil when engine is warm, the oil will be all around the engine so you won't get an accurate reading  :shocked:

Maybe like you, I for years, used to check it cold.

I dare say there is an engineering/design reason for VW to emphasise checking it at operating temperature .