1./ I have a octavia 10' 1.8TSI that uses engine oil. It seems to use about 1 litre /month. THe service techs say that this can be normal and vw allow more usage than this in their so called normal range. So that's 12 litres per year! A lot of oil. Is this really normal or is there something wrong?

2./ I have been recommended to use only vw oil at $30 per litre! otherwise the using other oil will contaminate the oil. SAE 5w-30 50400/50700. Couldn't I just use any fully synthetic 5w-30 or must it be the same?

1. How many km do you do a month? It can use 0.5l/1000km before VAG consider it to be unacceptable.

2. You must use VW spec 504 or 507.

Ok I do about 2000 km per month so I guess it normal.

This oil matches the specs so would it be ok to use?

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-713-castrol-edge-5w-30-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-1008-skoda-50400-oil.aspx

Ok I do about 2000 km per month so I guess it normal...

I wouldn't say it is normal. 1l/2000km (0.50/1000km) is at the upper limit.

Keep a careful record of oil usage and mileage.

What is normal and what is acceptable are 2 different things! VAG may consider that to be normal usage within their spec range but it sure ain't acceptable.

My 1.8TSI has done 8300miles (13000km) from new and in that time I have added 0.5 litres of oil. Level is currently just 1/4 of the way down from max so I don't expect to add any more before the 1st fixed service in 1000 or so miles.

My TSi dates from Nov. 2008 and used no measurable oil between annual services, though admittedly on low annual mileage (about 7K)

I topped mine about 0.5l on 5000km. Your usage is a bit high.

If you are on fixed services, i.e every 15K km you can use VW 502.00 too. I am on fixed service every 15k km or once a year and last time the service used 507.00 sometims Castrol sometimes Shell.

My 1.8TSI has done 24,000 miles (1.5yrs old) , used about 1 litre. I find the oil stays level for ages and then suddenly its drops.

I bought mine at the end of May 2008 and I have topped up half a litre between new and it's first service (on variable service) which was at 9500 miles in Feb 2010. It is now on 15500 miles and has required no further top ups.