2.0 TDI oil consumption?

cozzarp · Sep 13, 2004

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone could advise on "normal" oil consumption for a diesel?

The oil warning indicator came on my 2.0 TDI engine after 7000 miles. This is set to the long life service interval. I put a litre of oil in - but this seems like quite high consumption?

This is the first diesel I've had - previous petrol engines have never had to have oil added between services, so I'm wondering if there's a fault or if this is normal.

Thanks,

Colin

mh · Sep 13, 2004

my new 1.9 TDI (A3) needed a litre of oil at about 1.5K its normal for them to use a bit of oil when 'running in

Graham · Sep 13, 2004

I think this is quite a common issue with modern diesels. Someone asked exactly the same question in the "Honest John" column of the Motoring section of the Telegraph last weekend.

Apparently, the special long life synthetic oils that manufacturers initially put in the engine prevents the pistons from bedding-in quickly. The solution is to give the engine some revs every now and then. And, of course, check the oil level regularly!

My Skoda 1.9 TDI used a litre of oil every 1000 miles for the first year of its life!

Graham

col.mc · Sep 13, 2004

Mines down about a third of the way between max and min on the dipper after 5k. Whats the price of a litre of that fancy oil??

Irish · Sep 13, 2004

Not a drop after 6K for me!

simfin · Sep 13, 2004

Blimey,

No wonder they can go up 30,000 miles between oil changes - Looks like us owners replace it all anyway [

]

radox · Sep 14, 2004

As of last Friday, that longlife oil costs £9.50 + VAT = about £11 for a litre.

I just had the low oil level light come on after about 6,500 miles. I'm hoping consumption will reduce with age.

I've also been thinking about that 30,000 miles between services. I must admit it was one of the reasons I bought the Mk5. However, since my car is still indicating it's going to need a service at about 18,000 miles and since most of my driving is easy-on-the-engine motorway cruising, I wonder if they actually meant 30,000 kms (which I'm guessing is about 18,000 miles)! I did look at the handbook and it didn't say the maximum mileage between services. I'm beginning to wonder if the 30,000 miles in the brouchure was a typo.

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5

cozzarp · Sep 14, 2004

Hi all,

Thanks for your help - it looks as though I'm perhaps not too out of the way in having to put oil in.

Here was me thinking the dealer was being kind by giving me 1 litre with the car - I guess I should have known!

Thanks,

Colin

col.mc · Sep 14, 2004

Quote: posted by radox on 14/09/2004 08:23:51

I wonder if they actually meant 30,000 kms (which I'm guessing is about 18,000 miles)! I did look at the handbook and it didn't say the maximum mileage between services. I'm beginning to wonder if the 30,000 miles in the brouchure was a typo.

Stuart

http://www.radox.freeserve.co.uk/vwgolfmk5.htm

If so we should be after them for a free service every other time

horatiog · Oct 1, 2004

Hi,

Had read this thread from a couple of weeks ago but then forgot to check the consumption on my own Mk5 GT TDi.

Today, my low oil level light cam on at around 5850 mile. Ooops. Must say I got lazy checking after having driven two company Audi A4s that got regular 10k mile oil changes. They didn't use hardly any oil between these services.

Checked the dip and there was only a scrap of oil on the tip. Didn't want to drive any further and only option in nearby garages & shops was Castrol 10w40 Magnatec - was this OK? And, by god, oil costs a fortune these days!

Also checked the manual. Max oil consumption is given as 1000km/L !?!?!?!? Shurely shome mishtake!

kenl · Oct 1, 2004

I would think that keeping the oil correctly topped up will help keep your service intervals longer. Checking it regularly is the way to do it and then topping up with the free bottle that comes with the car.

If you use oil that is not the proper "long-life" stuff you may need a service earlier than you would have done if you top up with the right stuff.

As far as I can remember car companies always quote figures like max usage of 1l/1000 miles or so; no doubt to keep warranty work at a minimum.

cjp2k · Oct 1, 2004

Free Bottle of oil??

What free bottle [

]

kenl · Oct 1, 2004

Quote: posted by cjp2k on 01/10/2004 19:29:19

Free Bottle of oil??

What free bottle [

]

Did you not get a little pouch containing a small bottle of oil along with a cloth and plastic gloves with your car? You should have. My first one had this and so does the new one.

Also when I was looking around the dealers all the new Golfs still with their plastic protective bits on had one of these packs in each car sitting in the passenger footwell.

You've been robbed mate [:O]

dc · Oct 1, 2004

Quote: posted by horatiog on 01/10/2004 14:29:43

Hi,

Had read this thread from a couple of weeks ago but then forgot to check the consumption on my own Mk5 GT TDi.

Today, my low oil level light cam on at around 5850 mile. Ooops. Must say I got lazy checking after having driven two company Audi A4s that got regular 10k mile oil changes. They didn't use hardly any oil between these services.

Checked the dip and there was only a scrap of oil on the tip. Didn't want to drive any further and only option in nearby garages & shops was Castrol 10w40 Magnatec - was this OK? And, by god, oil costs a fortune these days!

Also checked the manual. Max oil consumption is given as 1000km/L !?!?!?!? Shurely shome mishtake!

LOL @ Sean[

]

No, that is normal consumption. I think the only Castrol stuff that meets vw specification is SLX Longlife II (0w30).

My car has done 40k, and for the first 20k or so it consumed just under 1L every 1000 miles. Now it hardly uses a drop.

People nowadays don't check oil/tyres etc. I make a habit of checking the oil every 10 days or so and tyres once per week.

golf140 · Oct 3, 2004

Coincidence or what? Mk5 2.0 GT TDI - oil light came on yesterday at 7800 miles.

Reckon this must be normal as everybody seems to be getting it between 5k and 8k.

Anyone on here (with Mk5 TDI) gone more than 10k without topping up oil?

Stuff about the correct oil here:

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/assets/Longlife_servicing.pdf

simfin · Oct 3, 2004

Is there a way of finding out the estimated time/distance to the next service.

I noticed on the A3 TDi that if you press a button (cannot remember which one) it will display how far you have left untill the service is due.

cozzarp · Oct 3, 2004

Hi,

I got a litre of oil with mine, but didn't get a cloth and gloves. Ho hum!

I suppose I should have guessed when they gave me oil with the car... without thinking "Oh - what nice people - they've given me some free oil!"

Just got to see how long it lasts until its service is required now. I can't seem to activate the service indicator display... Does anybody with a (non 2005 model) GT TDi without satnav etc manage to display it? I'm not sure if it's only present on the newer models.

Thanks for your help anyway... good to know I'm not alone!

Colin

col.mc · Oct 3, 2004

yep

mines a non 2005, just turn the ignition on and then press and hold the trip reset button, the one on the dash not the stalk.

simfin · Oct 4, 2004

Mine has the oil in the cubby hole in the boot, in a nice black case that zips up. Seem to have gloves, cloth, hand clean wipes and a fold up funnel[

]

The oil is the Shell long life stuff.

Be interesting to see if they replace it for me free when that gets used up, as I have opted for the Service,tyre and maintenance package. It should do as it covers all other fluids, even covers windscreen wipers and broken light bulbs.

kenl · Oct 6, 2004

Perhaps this is where the oil packs are going?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=28641&item=7926208861&rd=1

2.0 TDI oil consumption?

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