Oil Consumption

[PeterHBne]

I've done 5,500kms and the oil will need a top up.

Manual states that it will chew a bit of oil, particulalry in the first 5,000. It's only about a quarter down on the 'dimpled' section on the dipstick.

Anyone else find they had to top up?

[mitch_gti]

Hey there,

I havent had any oil consumption at all. Or if there was i certainly couldnt tell by the dipstick.

However, i do change my oil frequently (have 8 thousand kms and ive changed the oil and filter 3 times) So it always has fresh oil in it.

Think it has alot to do with how the car is run in aswell, doesnt sound like yours is using much at all :)

[MrNamjama]

(have 8 thousand kms and ive changed the oil and filter 3 times)

Why do you feel you need to change the oil (and filter) so often?

[mitch_gti]

Because i dont drive it often,

And when i do, APR is constantly turned on. j:

[Spec83]

Chaging the oil any more than 8-10,000kms intervals in a road driven only car ia a waste of money... if you track every other weekend then i would maybe pull that back to 5,000kms intervals :)

JMHO :)

[Wand Weaver]

I've done 5,500kms and the oil will need a top up.


I've found that Volkswagen engines in general can use a bit of oil - I wouldn't worry about it.

I was expecting the same when I bought my Polo, but to its credit, it doesn't seem to have dropped a drop at all. It's still at the top of the double-hatches on the dipstick. I'm not going to drop the oil myself - it still looks relatively clean, and I've done a little over 6000km now. The oil change can wait until December when it goes in for service.

My oil use may not be typical - I don't have huge miles on the car, and I'm very nice to it when it's warming up, don't have an aftermarket ECU, and probably don't have nearly as much of a heavy foot as many other members here.

On a related note - does anyone know what oil the dealerships use? And if, perhaps, you can ask them to put in an oil of your choice (especially if you tend to do top-ups yourself)? I've always been a fan of Mobil 1, but I've heard VW have a relationship with Castrol.

[99gti]

I do every 5,000 and mine is still running like a dream...

[Ben_GTI]

Do you find the oil filter is actually dirty when you change the oil after 8,000km?

I mean I know the Oil in my Polo goes black 500km after servicing (yes I do let the turbo cool down for 1 mins before turning off and I don't get above 2000rpm for 1km before my house).

[Funkdancer]

(yes I do let the turbo cool down for 1 mins before turning off and I don't get above 2000rpm for 1km before my house).

Interesting... just wondering, what's the impact of this approach versus letting the "automatic cool down thingie" do its thing?

[Timbo]

does anyone know what oil the dealerships use? And if, perhaps, you can ask them to put in an oil of your choice (especially if you tend to do top-ups yourself)? I've always been a fan of Mobil 1, but I've heard VW have a relationship with Castrol.

I think it varies by dealer. Mine told me the following oils are fine for the Pog:

Castrol Edge 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40
Shell Helix Ultra 5w 40

[Ben_GTI]

Interesting... just wondering, what's the impact of this approach versus letting the "automatic cool down thingie" do its thing?

Well Depending on what I read, the coolant flows through the block..... and I don't see anything about the turbo having a water cooled bearing. Some sites say it flows through the turbo, others say it doesn't.

So I go with the "better be safe than upgrade to a K04.... safe for the tyres i think".

Also I can't see the turbo at all otherwise I would be finding out whether there is water cooling on the turbo bearing or not. My dads Mazda 3 MPS has no water cooling on the Turbo at all and its oil doesn't seem to get any blacker than mine, hence why I was interested in whether the oil filter actually gets coked oil buildup or not.