Author Topic: Low oil light - what can I put in?  (Read 2295 times)

Offline LSBristol

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Low oil light - what can I put in?
« on: 07 November 2023, 19:00 »
Got MOT and service tomorrow and oil light (orange) has just come on. Checked and about 2mm below the min on the dipstick. It's a 9 mile drive to the garage in the morning - am I okay to drive? I have a small amount of 20w50 semi synthetic I could chuck in, although I presume this is completely the wrong sort - better than nothing or a no no?

Or do I go and buy a litre of the right stuff for VW to empty out again in the morning?  (anybody know what the spec is?)
2017 mk7.5 non-PP, Indium Grey, manual
1991 T25 Camper
1967 Beetle 1500

Offline LSBristol

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Re: Low oil light - what can I put in?
« Reply #1 on: 07 November 2023, 19:42 »
Update - weighed up £10 of oil vs engine damage and decided to go and get some. Found some 504.00 which is one of the "alternative" options in the manual.
2017 mk7.5 non-PP, Indium Grey, manual
1991 T25 Camper
1967 Beetle 1500

Offline Tractor Dave

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Re: Low oil light - what can I put in?
« Reply #2 on: 07 November 2023, 20:00 »
If it's getting changed when you get to the garage, the 20/50 will do no harm. Warm it up in the house before you add it and just before you leave. It's a little thick for a cold start and as a semi synthetic, won t offer the same protection to your turbo on a high speed run, but will be fine for a short run to the garage.
I always use a cheap semi synthetic oil for first full on a 're built engine. I run it up to temp and drain it after a short run. It acts as a flush.

Offline LSBristol

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Re: Low oil light - what can I put in?
« Reply #3 on: 07 November 2023, 20:59 »
Thanks that's useful knowledge for the future!
2017 mk7.5 non-PP, Indium Grey, manual
1991 T25 Camper
1967 Beetle 1500