Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[Diesel_vert]

You & I both know that but we have both seen how conservative most owners are & how unwilling they are to (a) read the owners manual & understand what is written & (b) do anything different to what the uninformed drone at the service counter tells them.

True dat - just checking, haha.

Though I think part of the problem is that the information provided by the manufacturer isn't clearly presented, or omits too much information, or isn't specific enough (or all of the above) - even if the end point turns out to be relatively simple to understand.

In regards to dealers, as the first point of contact, customers who have usually paid a not insignificant amount of money for their vehicles should be entitled to correct and proper advice and service, irrespective of marque - they always seem to advertise as such in their glossy brochures.

I quite dislike how, in some cases, the factory training, assistance and information the dealers (should) receive somehow manages to count for nothing in the end, but there we are.

It's a bit baffling, but what can you do, eh?

Or (C) they know perfectly well and prefer to use 504/507 oils because they are a higher grade of oil (Both SAPS as well as better lubricating properties), even though they know that 502/505 oil is generally cheaper to buy and is acceptable (except for new diesels)

504/507 oils guarantee a certain level of performance, but that's not to say a 502/505 oil will always be a lesser product.

It should also be noted that a product which has not sought manufacturer approval is not always a reflection of its performance, so a product without 504/507 approval doesn't automatically render it inferior or unsuitable.

In addition, 502/505 standards can be met with a mid-SAPS formulation, just like 504/507 oils. There is no requirement for a 502/505 oil to be made with a full-SAPS formulation exclusively.

Yes we know what you are saying but just because it has better numbers doesn't actually mean it is lubricating any better.

You have to remember the numbers define the average viscosity of the oil at a given temperature - not its lubrication properties and its ability to stay bonded to the metal. Yes old oil was simple to understand - thicker when hot good, thinner when cold good.

But that is not the case with new oils. The 5w-30 has lower viscosity so that it doesn't drag the engine down thus saving fuel while offering lubrication properties far better than old oil of higher grades.

In any case, lubricant choice appears to be a secondary problem here. It doesn't explain why many other engines from VW that use 504/507 oils don't suffer from such high oil consumption as the Polo GTI does for instance. I'm strongly of the opinion that the primary problem lies with the engine itself (at least, that's the impression I'm getting).

Having said that, if a solution to the primary problem isn't forthcoming from VW for whatever reason, and if the goal is to eliminate, or at least, reduce oil consumption to a more manageable degree, then playing around with different brands and viscosity grades (within the scope of allowable VW oil standards, of course) may prove useful to those who have lost too much time and patience - though it's not as if you couldn't always do that anyway.

A band-aid fix it may be, but faced with the alternative of endless top-ups, it might be preferable than nothing at all.

[brad]

In regards to dealers, as the first point of contact, customers who have usually paid a not insignificant amount of money for their vehicles should be entitled to correct and proper advice and service, irrespective of marque - they always seem to advertise as such in their glossy brochures.

I quite dislike how, in some cases, the factory training, assistance and information the dealers (should) receive somehow manages to count for nothing in the end, but there we are.

It's a bit baffling, but what can you do, eh?

When I was on the tools at Toyota for a year (1987) we received 1 training course on transmissions (I can't even remember if it was manual or auto). It seemed odd as transmissions were one of the things we rarely had issues with. We got no training on rebuilding Corolla engines even though there was an issue with them eating crankshafts at the time. No training or hints in finding rattles or fixing steering issues (both our biggest problems). Even some training in the most efficient order for doing a major service or which service tools we should have more than one of would have helped workshop efficiency quite a bit.

TSBs & workshop campaigns weren't distributed among the workshop team & we didn't have team meetings to receive any info either.

BMW in 1988 was a bit better. We had a self study program that we were supposed to allocate 30 minutes a week as long as you weren't too busy swinging spanners. Generally we managed every fortnight which was pretty good. The problem was it was all theory & no linkage to actual problems that were being encountered (we were having huge issues with FI at the time). I don't think I read a single TSB when I was there. Again, there was a reluctance by many to distribute information as it appeared that "Knowledge is Power".

As a Service Advisor at Ford in 1985 you'd think I would have had access to all the TSBs & shop programs - nope. The Service Manager only leaked out what he thought was necessary.

In the end I decided to give aircraft a try & the amount of training & information you could get was unbelievably good.

Anyway, I hope the dealerships have changed for the better but I'm doubtful.

[rozrohan]

My 2013 model polo gti has oil issues. It used about .5-1L of oil for 1000km. Have done a consumption test with vw. Oil light first came on at 3000km and they said this was normal. I said it wasn't (until I found this thread I thought it was crazy for a new car to use so much oil even a high performance one).

To date they have told me mine has the "redesigned parts" that should mean it hasn't got this problem, at this point they pointed the finger at software and updated the software of the car. I'm due back for anther consumption check in 1000kms and if the software update hasn't improved then I will have to wait until it's "run in" before they will replace anything, which is around 7500kms. Annoying.

[kevinctr]

My 2013 model polo gti has oil issues. It used about .5-1L of oil for 1000km. Have done a consumption test with vw. Oil light first came on at 3000km and they said this was normal. I said it wasn't (until I found this thread I thought it was crazy for a new car to use so much oil even a high performance one).

To date they have told me mine has the "redesigned parts" that should mean it hasn't got this problem, at this point they pointed the finger at software and updated the software of the car. I'm due back for anther consumption check in 1000kms and if the software update hasn't improved then I will have to wait until it's "run in" before they will replace anything, which is around 7500kms. Annoying.

Just bring the car to a weekend track day for few hours to seat those piston rings and oil seals properly.

[muli]

Car got serviced, oil drained 2.9l. Last topup few days back of what i had left.
Topped up 3l myself and dealership about 500ml in first 15k which is normal apparently
Last 2k which missus mostly drove it used a litre.

Btw the engine lights not come on for low oil?
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[k0e1]

just a quick update just got my GTI back with a complete new engine, ironically when I first got it back it broke down within 5 mins engine light went on EPC came on and after 2 days of the car being back at the dealership turns out the ECU needed a software update. Anyways just took it to sutherland to run in the car. Planning to change my oil at around 1500km and hopefully this oil issue doesnt come up again

[AndrewBurns]

Considering trying penrite enviro+ 5W40 if I continue seeing high oil consumption in hot weather. Probably by the time I get around to it it will be winter again

[Guest001]

Considering trying penrite enviro+ 5W40 if I continue seeing high oil consumption in hot weather. Probably by the time I get around to it it will be winter again

As long as its not a diesel it will probably be OK. You need 5W 30 Enviro + 504/507 for a diesel

[RoknRob]

just a quick update just got my GTI back with a complete new engine, ironically when I first got it back it broke down within 5 mins engine light went on EPC came on and after 2 days of the car being back at the dealership turns out the ECU needed a software update. Anyways just took it to sutherland to run in the car. Planning to change my oil at around 1500km and hopefully this oil issue doesnt come up again

So, are these really new engines at this point or rebuilds? How would I know? What should I be looking for?

Likely to be the next step for me...

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[k0e1]

the person said they were completely new engines. I personally didnt check if it was new but i got the repair sheet off them clearly stating it was a new engine. I guess you could use some UV light pen to ink your old engine and check it when it comes back ?

So, are these really new engines at this point or rebuilds? How would I know? What should I be looking for?

Likely to be the next step for me...

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