SWMBO's 1.9TDi has developed an oil leak (lovely christmas present). No oil warning lights and the oil level is at the top end of 'B' on the dipstick (top of the dimpled bit). But, there's oil on the driveway, and on a quick inspection in the dark, there's oil under all 4 wheel arches. No oil visible from the engine bay but would need to check in the morning. Car's done 35k miles and is on an 02 plate. Cheers for the help - going to contact dealers tomorrow to see if we can get it in before Christmas (and get our non fixed rear washer jet sorted at the same time).

Are you sure the oil has come from this car as it sounds unlikely that it'd dump enough oil to find its way into all 4 wheel arches. Also, given the engine under tray, I think it would take quite a significant leak to show on the ground. Are you even sure it's oil? The muddy, salty sludge that the roads are covered with at the moment could, in passing look a bit like oil.

The muddy, salty sludge that the roads are covered with at the moment could, in passing look a bit like oil.

totally agree with that , it would be some oil leak if it was up in every wheel arch ,

but your level is ok

Is this a wind up?

Did somebody oil the shocks?

I think they are all gas shocks these days anyway aren't they?

I'd suggest you are not losing oil from the engine.

Is this a wind up?

Must be, if this ammount of oil was being thown up from the road, the driver would really get the feeling of driving on a very slippery surface and normally smell something oily coming into the car - and it would also be getting burnt on the exhaust. As suggested already, maybe the area that you live in has suffered a bit of freezing road conditions and the gritters have been out a lot!

On closer inspection you guys are right! Just that over many years of motoring, I haven't had so much oily deposit streaming off a car during winter, and we haven't been near a motorway for a while! The black patches over the driveway really did set the panic lights flashing. My polo had greasy build up but it's not of an oily consistency. I'm putting it down to: 1. loads more diesel vehicles on the road where I now live (lots of builders' vans in the area) 2. The fabia has new tyres and mudflaps fitted so I presume more oily grime is being picked up off the road when driving and gathering in the wheel arches. Time to dig out the pressure washer.....

Doh!

Yes, that was a seriously blonde moment I was having!