We went over to France yesterday, and I have been checking the oil on a regular basis. Whilst we were driving to Carrefour Cite Europe, the oil warning light came on, so I cruised there, keeping the revs nice and steady, and once we arrived, we started the process of looking for a compatible oil.

I ended up buying a 5 litre container of Shell Helix Diesel Ultra Extra 5W30 synthetic, which is fully compatible with all the VW engines. It cost the equivalent of £35, and I also bought a 1 litre container for the top up (I only needed just over half a litre).

So, two questions.

Does the oil warning light come on early rather than late (ie: when the mark is just on minimum)?

My car has used between half and two thirds litre in 10K miles is this about normal?

Andy

I believe the oil light comes on only when the oil pressure is getting critical so it's saying "get oil NOW".

My 123k mile 05 Octavia 2.0 TDi does need a top up every-now-and-again, and the amount you quote sounds comparable. On the other hand, my dad's 137k mile 51 plate Passat 1.9 TDi barely uses any.

More of a concern is your definition of regular checks, as regular could mean weekly, annually, or any fixed space of time. For it to go from a decent level to critical between your checks suggests it's not frequent enough!

Half a litre doesn't sound like a lot of oil to add if the low oil pressure light was on. I'd have thought you'd need at least a litre of the stuff if not more.

Had my 2009 vrs cr a year now, I have covered 10k in that time and not had to top up my oil once.

1 litre between min and max is the accepted norm. Im not sure when the oil light comes on but i would suggest more regular checks, i think it might even say in the handbook to check everytime you fill up with fuel.

Yes, I check every couple of weeks (fill up time), and the last one was marginal. So I delayed until the French trip (very naughty in hindsight).

It amazes me how dirty diesel oil gets compared with petrol.

Are you meaning the low oil level rather than low oil pressure? Usual value for triggering the pressure sensor is 5-10 lbs psi. Not many engines survive for long (100's of yards) running that low.

I had a similar experience last year, likewise driving in France from Port Vendre to Apt. Despite being mid October, we both got overheated loading up the car and a bit fed up, so blatting along to get there. The original intention to detour via the Millau viaduct was thwarted by an accident Bouchon on the A75, so somewhere short of Montpellier the oil light flashes then comes on solid. A rapid halt and quick check shows I have oil to about half min - max. A slower drive to the next services, a bit of pointless searching for any signs of leaks or other problems. A browse in the Shell shop turned up no dedicated VAG PD oil. Continued at a more leisurely pace without incident. The big LeClerc in Apt did have some PD spec oil, so topped up using about 1/2 a litre.

Arrived home with no further incident and had a chat with my local man who does (or did as he's now retired - sob!). He said he used Liquidmoly, and had done for years. His opinion was the VAG Diesels would on occasion get through a bit of oil, but did give it a bit of a once over on the ramp to make sure there where no leaks or evidence of other nasties, which there weren't.

So far there has been no repeat and no other problems. I wonder if the lad who actually did the job may have been a bit rushed and not quite topped it off.

So not a pressure failure, but no particular reason for a low level warning either. I have now done several high speed continental journeys since with no further agravation, although I now carry the remains of the litre bottle.

Yes, Diesels end up with more carbonaceous muck in their oil. Diesel specific oil has a considerably higher lever of detergents in their additive package to keep it all dispersed, to prevent it building up and possibly blocking oilways. Nasty stuff too, carcinogenic, so protect your skin.

Are you meaning the low oil level rather than low oil pressure? Usual value for triggering the pressure sensor is 5-10 lbs psi. Not many engines survive for long (100's of yards) running that low.

I had a similar experience last year, likewise driving in France from Port Vendre to Apt. Despite being mid October, we both got overheated loading up the car and a bit fed up, so blatting along to get there. The original intention to detour via the Millau viaduct was thwarted by an accident Bouchon on the A75, so somewhere short of Montpellier the oil light flashes then comes on solid. A rapid halt and quick check shows I have oil to about half min - max. A slower drive to the next services, a bit of pointless searching for any signs of leaks or other problems. A browse in the Shell shop turned up no dedicated VAG PD oil. Continued at a more leisurely pace without incident. The big LeClerc in Apt did have some PD spec oil, so topped up using about 1/2 a litre.

Arrived home with no further incident and had a chat with my local man who does (or did as he's now retired - sob!). He said he used Liquidmoly, and had done for years. His opinion was the VAG Diesels would on occasion get through a bit of oil, but did give it a bit of a once over on the ramp to make sure there where no leaks or evidence of other nasties, which there weren't.

So far there has been no repeat and no other problems. I wonder if the lad who actually did the job may have been a bit rushed and not quite topped it off.

So not a pressure failure, but no particular reason for a low level warning either. I have now done several high speed continental journeys since with no further agravation, although I now carry the remains of the litre bottle.

Yes, Diesels end up with more carbonaceous muck in their oil. Diesel specific oil has a considerably higher lever of detergents in their additive package to keep it all dispersed, to prevent it building up and possibly blocking oilways. Nasty stuff too, carcinogenic, so protect your skin.

Yes it is the low oil level (the yellow light with the oil can) - I would be really concerned if it was the oil pressure light.

Like yourself I now carry the remainder of the litre bottle in the boot, and I will buy some more of the stuff when I am over there next time, because I think that £38 is a good price for the Shell Helix.

Had my 11plate 1 year now get it serviced every 9000 mls never had to top oil up and its a taxi vrs