MP

yesterday, in the middle of my 55 mile commute, my 02 1.8tqm Avant gave me the "low oil" warning light.

I checked the oil level, and was amazed to discover that there was almost NO oil...

I had been planning to simply follow the recommended service interval and do an oil change at 10k miles. I stopped at the next Mobil instead and filled up...

I can only conclude that my car is either leaking or burning oil.

I know many of you will find this to be sacriledge, but I park on the street in Boston, so it's very difficult to see if the car is leaking (a: the street is already covered in oil, b: I rarely use the same spot for several consecutive days). note: I'm moving shortly, and will be joining the rest of you who enjoy covered garage parking. finally.

anyway.

Questions:

1. anyone else note unusually high oil consumption during the first 10k miles?

2. any reason I should be concerned about not completing the first 10k with the "factory oil?"

3. my mileage is more or less evenly split as follows: first 3k miles were split between stop and go city driving and highway driving. the next 3k miles were almost entirely highway (started commuting for a new job). I generally cruise between 75 and 85 mph. any ideas re: correlation between driving context and oil consumption?

4. what should I expect from the dealer? service now and again at 10k?

many thanks.

MuRaN0Daddy

sounds like the old "oil consumption log" for you .you are probably not burning oil. did you check it when you took delivery. a lot of guys, (way more knowledgable that me ) are gonna spank, uh, i mean, help you. also ,search.
good luck.

April

Have you checked the level at all during this time ? As with any car, checking the oil level once week or every couple of gas fill-ups, is a good habit to have with any car no matter the age. If leaking from the car in such quantity, you should have smelled it from time to time.

1. Yes, the car can consume a fair bit during break-in. It should taper off after 10K or so. Some will depend on how the car is driven.

2. No, you should be fine with regular oil/or synthetic by now. If you have been babying the car, hold off on synth until the next change, so as to give the rings a chance to seat a little more.

3. City driving so long as not racing from light to light, is good for break-in. Highway cruising with little rpms variation does not allow for proper wearing in of parts. However, you did the city cycle near the beginning...

4. Dealer will top off oil for now, and have you come at 10K, or do the 10K service at 7K, but not do it again in 3K. Audi pays for topping off and 10K service. They do not pay for both 7K and then 10K service.

You can visit any Audi dealer anywhere, and have them top off washer fluid or add engine oil. The PDI sheet the tech filled out before the car was sold, should show if they checked the oil level as they should.

woofpup

It's just too low to reach the stick. But yes, being that low is a bad thing.

Don't worry about the added oil not being the "factory oil" - it sounds like you're past 5000-7000 miles anyway.

motorwaffen

Make sure car is totally level, and wait a few minutes before checking...I've noticed these two factors really affect the accuracy of a reading.
My car is at 2600 mi, and has used a 1/2 qt.

Dorian

In 5000 miles I've added approx 1 Quart..

MP

thanks for being gentle...

MP

better than the one I got from my audi sales guy...

Raistlin

My car needs 1/2 quart every 2500 miles, I have 7600 miles on car.

sohcrates

what do you all use to "top off" your oil on your new A4? (less than 10k miles)