So, after 11.5k miles (from new), i've got a oil warning light flash up, advising I need to check the levels. Is it normal to get through that much oil with this amount of mileage?

 

I can see from the manual, Skoda recommends Castrol Edge Professional, but doesn't say what spec of Oil to use (want to buy some today). What do you currently use/recommend? Worth picking up from somewhere like Halfords?

 

Thanks in advance!

It's not uncommon to need a top-up before the first service (assuming variable) but I'm surprised you didn't get a 1l top-up bottle in the black zip-bag?  Grade will be to the relevant VW spec (502/504 or the like).

Edited 5 January, 201610 yr by philhoward

Black zip bag? Not seen such a thing...?

 

Just googling online, looks like 5w30 Fully synthetic is the one I need...

Bit to late to be checking your oil now, if the warning light has come on the damage has already started.

 

Its about 1litre from min to max, Castrol Edge 5w30 to VW 502/504 spec.

 

Really you need to check your engine fluid levels more often, I recommend once a month. Sorry to sound like your father......

You need VW Spec 504 00/507 00 as that is the oil they will use from the factory and at service (the long life oil).

 

Doesn't matter if your car is set to fixed or variable servicing, it's that oil you need. I just use the Halfords stuff as it meets that spec/

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil/halfords-5w30-fully-synthetic-vw-audi-2-litre-oil 

Bit to late to be checking your oil now, if the warning light has come on the damage has already started.

 

Its about 1litre from min to max, Castrol Edge 5w30 to VW 502/504 spec.

 

Really you need to check your engine fluid levels more often, I recommend once a month. Sorry to sound like your father......

Orange light is low level (but not critically low) - red light is low pressure (too late)..  I've had 2 VAG cars with the twincharger engine so know the yellow light well

Quantum Longlife III from Trade Part Specialists (owned by VW) - approx £7 per litre top up. Or Castrol Edge 5w-30 Long Life - double to treble this at the dealer!

So, after 11.5k miles (from new), i've got a oil warning light flash up, advising I need to check the levels. Is it normal to get through that much oil with this amount of mileage?

 

I can see from the manual, Skoda recommends Castrol Edge Professional, but doesn't say what spec of Oil to use (want to buy some today). What do you currently use/recommend? Worth picking up from somewhere like Halfords?

 

Thanks in advance!

If the oil light comes on and you have not got a leak your not taking very good care of your purchase! The light is not 'advising'you to check your levels it's telling you it NEEDS OIL NOW!!! Not checked the oil in 11500 miles come on really?... And in a Vrs that undoubtably gets its ar@e kicked at every opportunity! I'm with glosrich the damage has started. Don't ponder on here about what oils best to buy.... Get to a dealer ASAP buy the oil they give you for a Vrs and save your cars engine. If the unit fails because of oil starvation it won't be covered by the warranty because it's your responsibility to check the oil.

Why would I check the oil level when the car has a perfectly fine warning system?

The car is fitted with a bunch of these warning systems so I don't have to spend 10minutes every day to check tire pressure, bulbs, brakes, oil level, etc etc.

I have bought a 1L oil that I keep in the trunk so I can top up at the next convenient time after the yellow light comes on.

Whenever I open the bonnet to fill the screen wash, which is fairly regular, I also check the oil and peep at the brake fluid. Just out of habit I suppose.

 

I have done an interim oil change (6k) and as stated above used Quantum Longlife III from Trade Part Specialists.

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by DonjSZ5

Re post #9,

no need to check anything, its up to you if you take no care of you, the passengers or the general public.

Have an accident and after an examination your pressures were wrong it can be expensive.

 

& the TPMS from Skoda / VW tells you after the pressures are wrong, (maybe one tyre)

and only if you set the system in the first place, 

and if you just fill your tyres and over time the pressure has gone low all around there might be no warning.

 

Like with some Skoda / VW and oil.

25% low or more, with a twincharger 33% low in Oil before you get a Yellow LIght or Warning Message, 

and in the Owners Manual many might not see that it is not 'Cold' Checks but at Operating Temperature, wrongly translated to English as 

Warm in Skoda manuals, where as VW say Operating Temperature.

 

 

Maybe watch an American VW Video and then a VW UK one,

In the UK one she does not mention the engine as being Cold, Warm, Hot or at Operating Temperature.

(Read the Owners Manual and see what that says!)

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

The correct spec of oïl is: 5w30 504.00/507.00 - 504 for the fixed service interval & 507 for the longlife variable service interval.

Its normal that some engines need a top up between the service intervals.

 

I always buy my oïl from the garage where I get it serviced.

It might cost a couple of quid more but they can never tell you you used the wrong oïl.

 

 

Don't listen to the panic in some of the other posts, its just a warning light.

The engine has something like 5.5L of oïl in total & the difference between MAX-MIN level is 1 L.

The warning light comes on at 25% above minimum so only 0.75L has been used.

So worst case there is still 80% of the oïl left.

Yes it is a little bit more dirty than if you had it topped up to max but its not like you have run it so low the oïl is empty.

 

Of course, it is better to check it more regularly, but no damage will have occured just because you are missing 0.5L of oïl.

If this was the case, the warning light would trigger much earlier.

^^^ True in this case because of the engines oil capacity, 

but VW build smaller capacity engines, like a 1390 cc (1.4 TSI) and with a 3.6 Litre Oil Capacity.

*The Oil warning light might not come on, or a message before the oil is 1.5-2 litres low.*

**The Low Oil Pressure light or message might come on before the Low Oil Pressure Light or Message.**

(Carrying 1 litre of Oil spare & putting that in does not even bring you back up to the engines oil capacity.)

 

Remember if you open the bonnet, but do not top up, the Light or Message can go out, only to come back some Miles / Km down the road.

Tells you in the Owners Manual.

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

A few different oils that meet the spec. VW produce their own "Quantum" brand one, Castrol Edge is the OEM spec, Mobil1 also produce one.

5W/30 fully synthetic meeting VAG 504/507 long life spec.

The warning light typically comes on when the max oil level has depleted by circa. 1 litre....so typically at this point a whole litre of oil is required to top up.

When the warning comes on its a good idea to top up ASAP but in truth the car would run for a short period without risk of damage such are the tollerances providing the depletion is due to typical usage and its not burning unusual amounts of oil or losing it.

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by pipsypreturns

If the car had the full quantity of oil in at Zero Miles, and the warning light comes on at 11,500 miles it took its time for the oil to drop.

 

But just think. did it take 9,000 miles to use 0.5 litres, but then used 0.5 in the next 1,500 miles. Or was more oil being used just in the last 1,000 

miles or less as the engine cooling system worked harder to cool the oil.?

 

The Quantity of oil gives the cooling that can give an efficient running engine, along with the fuel.

That is why a properly serviced and maintained engine might be less polluting and more economical to run.

 

You can near run a vehicle dry of oil and it will go on, and maybe cars last for ever,

but then that is often why people avoid buying a used car that was a Fleet, Management, Lease car,

but as we know even privately owned cars can be abused and owners rely on warning lights and Dealership Servicing.

Why would I check the oil level when the car has a perfectly fine warning system?

The car is fitted with a bunch of these warning systems so I don't have to spend 10minutes every day to check tire pressure, bulbs, brakes, oil level, etc etc.

I have bought a 1L oil that I keep in the trunk so I can top up at the next convenient time after the yellow light comes on.

 

You can't be serious so you must be a troll?

 

It's not 10 minutes every day, it's 10 minutes once a month to ensure you don't suffer an engine failure or an accident. To not do simple checks on oil, tyres, and brakes is lazy, arrogant and potentially hazardous to other road users. 

 

As for the OP, why would you wait 11,500 miles before checking the oil? Jesus! It's not difficult.

The whole point of warning messages is to make it more convenient for the vehicle users so they don't need to check oïl, brake fluid all the time. 

They give you a timely message of when you need to check the oïl level, washer fluid or have your dealer check the brake fluid or pads.

 

It is not dangerous to drive with the oïl level above MIN or with only 25% of your washer fluid left.

 

I would take a guess that the majority of vehicle owners never check their tyres, oïl or other fluids outside of the normal servicing or when a warning message comes on.

 

Yes, its not a bad thing to check them regularly but unless you own a 1980s Escort I don't see that it is necessary or how it is especially dangerous.

Exactly why Audi & VW are right up there in the Engine Failure list.

Poor Servicing, poor maintenance, and not really fit for purpose Oil Level warning sensors on many engines.

Dipsticks that are very poor on many models.

 

Warranty Company Statistics might lie, but there is actual evidence that low oil and high oil consumption features as a characteristic of many modern VW engines. Poor Component Quality Control, Design and fundamental engine management issues.

 

http://autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/62383/german-cars-among-worst-engine-failures

Edited 6 January, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

I would take a guess that the majority of vehicle owners never check their tyres, oïl or other fluids outside of the normal servicing or when a warning message comes on.

This. The majority of people here probably do check, but we are not normal.

The op writer simply asked a question, but I feel some people are judging him harshly. It's his car and if he chooses to rely on the car to warn him about oil level so be it. Probably no engine damage has occurred but it has its his loss. No evidence here that he is failing to check items that are safety related.

I will urge him to not rely on car warning systems. Would I feel comfortable with pilots of a plane I'm about to fly on simply relying on warning systems before taking action? Absolutely not! Complete your routine checklists and do the visual checks - it could protect your asset or even your life. Basic quality culture principle.

Edited 9 January, 201610 yr by biglunn

Well my Audi has a low oil level warning. Two weeks ago I checked my oil, and it was below the min mark on the dipstick, and the low oil warning had yet to show on my dash. I added 1 litre, and its now between min and max, but only just.

 

I am now checking every couple of weeks for a while, just in case I have leak.

I make a judgement on anyone that buys a New Car or a Used Car and does not read the Owners Manual.

especially the 'Running In' section or as Skoda call it 'Driving In'.   & the Regular Checks & Oil Pages.

 

Mostly i judge harshly Dealership Salespeople that do not read Owners Manuals yet Drive Brand New Demonstrators, 

then know little about the cars they might have for 3,000 miles / 3 Months, or now commonly 6 months.

No idea how the Oil gets checked, and they go by the 'Warning Light',  then they top up, or over top, or get a 'Service; 

done before some unlucky new Owner gets that car.

A sales person has a Daily Driver, Hands it over to a new owner and often knows less about the car than a 14 year old walking along the pavement past the Forecourt.

It would be safer if drivers were encouraged to do checks on their cars.

A minor problem can be spotted and fixed. Keeping fluid levels up, lights working and tyres in good shape saves fuel and could save a life.

I wish the UK forced us to have triangles, hi-vis, first aid kit and bulbs by law. I think it would improve safety.

The amount of headlight bulbs you notice out at the moment is crazy.

When I was learning to ride a motorbike a very long time ago my instructor told me "look after your bike and it will look after you."  I've always tried to apply that principle to my cars as well as my bikes.  Surely it's better to do an unnecessary check than have something serious, expensive or possibly even lethal happen?  

 

I used to have a Mk2 vRS and it liked its drink.  On one occasion I found the oil level below the minimum on the dipstick but the warning light had never illuminated.  I still don't know if that was endangering the engine or not but I didn't want to find out the hard way.  My current 1.4TSI is much less thirsty but I still check oil, washer fluid, tyres and lights on the first Saturday of every month.  As far as tyres are concerned, it isn't just a case of checking the pressures - treads need to be examined for legality or unusual wear not to mention the odd nail which may be waiting its chance to do something bad.

 

Basic safety checks are so easy and, to me at least, so obvious that I simply don't understand anyone who can't be bothered to carry them out.

Edited 10 January, 201610 yr by dave6376