What is an acceptable level of oil consumption?

Hey all,

Struggling to find manufacturers guidelines for oil consumption? Audi suggest 1ltr every thousand miles.

Land Rover say to check every week n top up.

I've used 3/4ltr in 2 thousand miles towing van, motorway driving, commuting and so on.

Is that ok?

Thanks everyone.

Ash

Sorry forgot to say it's the 1.8

I've done about 3k in mine since I serviced it and I've never had to top up so negligible consumption on mine

britishwardog said:

I've done about 3k in mine since I serviced it and I've never had to top up so negligible consumption on mine

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Do you do any towing?

No, to be fair my motor has a very easy life!

I would have thought oil consumption should be 'negligible'. If all is in order, you should not have to 'top up' between services (that's not the same as checking because faults can occur).

Iceash said:

Audi suggest 1ltr every thousand miles.

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I would suggest that statement is in the context of "Your car's knackered if"...

Ive heard other manufacturers also state up to 1k per litre. I think its their get out clause for high oil consumption!

Yes, many brands state in the handbook that up to a litre every thousand miles is acceptable.

I'd say that as long as it's not leaking out and the smoke isn't excessive then I'd not worry about it.
Years ago I had a VW Scirocco which used quite a lot of oil, a mate's brother was a VW mechanic and did a check over of the car one day and commented how clean it was under the rocker cover-not surprising given how much fresh oil was regularly put in lol, so there is an upside. ;-)

It tends to be the thinner 5w/30 oils that burn up...I just stick to a 5w/40

Depends how big your leak is

What engine have you got?, just curious as the mother in laws soon to be ex BMW 1series 1.6i sport drinks oil like its going out of fasion getting on for a ltr every week and a half with moderate millage, td4 are beamers ain't they..?

But also I did read while looking up what the oil depression valve was on my l series that when this becomes fualty/blocked that can cause high oil consumption, maybe worth swapping it out/cleaning it?..

Turbo charged engine alway use more oil than NA engines.

If it is a TD 3/4 litre in 2k miles is fine, if it's a petrol...... I would be looking at it....

Noticed water is going down as well! No signs of external leaks... Hgf?

Ive just done 1500 miles to germany and back in 3 days and not used anything id think a litre in 10000 miles would be bad ..

200tdi ayre said:

Ive just done 1500 miles to germany and back in 3 days and not used anything id think a litre in 10000 miles would be bad ..

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I think it's the dreaded head gasket. Shall find out on Monday booked in to be stripped down.

Iceash said:

I think it's the dreaded head gasket. Shall find out on Monday booked in to be stripped down.

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If its loosing that much oil and water a strong guess would be HGF

200tdi ayre said:

If its loosing that much oil and water a strong guess would be HGF

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Yea my thought exactly, but it's running perfectly.

Are you sure it isn't leaking? With the undertray it can leak without leaving a Ptah of oil on the drive!

Oil filter and sump plugs tight?

ZDomZ said:

Are you sure it isn't leaking? With the undertray it can leak without leaving a Ptah of oil on the drive!

Oil filter and sump plugs tight?

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Not that I can see, thing is the water has gone down also. So makes me wonder if it's related as such.