Oil - How often do you top up?

[Mr Savage]

Hello all,

Right I purchased my GT TDI 140 in December 2011 and check the oil every 2 weeks. The car never needed topping up and lasted all the way until it's service in September 2012 after it had driven 10K miles.

Ever since that service I find I'm having to top up my oil all the time! I topped up in November and then my oil was back down to minimum today after driving 3,000 miles or less perhaps?

I knew these things burn oil but I never realised it was this bad!

Is this normal or should I worry?

Cheers!

Edit: I've read from google that VW say these can use up to 1 litre of oil every 600 miles!? Surely that can't be right!

[zerolag]

Yes I've read that too, 1 Litre per 1000km which is roughly 600miles I guess. 
Do you do a lot of high speed driving?

[scopes]

At least the engines are getting fresh oil more often 

[Mr Savage]

Yes I've read that too, 1 Litre per 1000km which is roughly 600miles I guess. 
Do you do a lot of high speed driving?

I use motorways and A roads quite often yeah. I also heard that its best to check oil when it's hot? Apparantly you should drive until optimum temperature, switch off the engine and then top up. Anyone able to clear that one up?

[S2 Ant]

My old GT TDi 170 used to drink oil quite a bit and was always in need of a top up.

The getting it to warm up first i've not heard before, however you'll need to allow sufficient time for the oil to drain down to the sump to get an accurate measurement from the dipstick if you were to do that to avoid overfilling. I usually allow at least 20 minutes between turning the engine off and checking it.

[Mr Savage]

My old GT TDi 170 used to drink oil quite a bit and was always in need of a top up.

The getting it to warm up first i've not heard before, however you'll need to allow sufficient time for the oil to drain down to the sump to get an accurate measurement from the dipstick if you were to do that to avoid overfilling. I usually allow at least 20 minutes between turning the engine off and checking it.

Yeah this is also the first time I've heard of letting the oil warm up first too and have never done it this way but wondered if I was missing a trick!

Still baffled as to why it lasted 9 months without needing a top up before and now needs one every couple of months though? Unless they overfilled it when I bought the car and underfilled it at my last service. Does the Check Engine Oil light come on if you've overfilled or just underfilled anyone know?

[OSB]

Ever since that service I find I'm having to top up my oil all the time! I topped up in November and then my oil was back down to minimum today after driving 3,000 miles or less perhaps?


What oil was used in the service change?
Is it the correct grade/type/VW rated etc.
Definately?

I had this happen on my wifes car a while back. The garage assured me it was all ok, top oil etc. hum...
I drained the knats wee out, refilled with the correct oil and no further problems.

Just a thought.

[Mr Savage]

I had it serviced at Midland VW which is a very reputable garage. I even drove 40 miles just to get to this place, only the best for my Golf! I'm not sure what oil they used but I would assume they know what they're doing being a VAG specialist!

I've just topped up with around half a litre of oil so ill see how it goes. Filled up on Diesel and Screen Wash too, it'll be drinking my coca cola next! 

If it gets through the oil that fast again then yes ill drain it all off and get some decent oil inside.

[andybon]

Since buying mine i havn't needed to top up the oil at all, Been checking it every week too.