THE B8 A4 Oil Consumption Thread

[nickg]

I was at service centre yesterday to add another litre of oil again, this is the second time
car has done about 10,000 Kilometres, the first time oil light came on at 5000 Kilometres

odd thing is, it never happened with my previous A4 B8

[DeMOROlized]

LOL....one quart is nowhere near 5 litres. 1 litre is .95 of a US quart. Not sure where you got the 5 litres from!

Thats what the rep at Canadian Tire told me, I put half of the 5L Castro in and the level only went up half way.. So it kind of made sense guess not.. Hmmmm

That is much too high people forget 1 qt is 5LITRES!. That is alot! How many total litres does are cars hold?

It's actually the other way around. 1 US quart = 0.95 litre, or 1 US gallon (4 US quarts) = 3.8 litre.

Maybe the Canadian Tire guy meant 1 imperial (UK) gallon = 4.55 litre. Technically up here in Canada we were supposed to use imperial gallon instead of US gallon.

[Kay15]

So then ^ I am right when I say I added almost 1 entire jug/bottle/what ever of oil the 5 L one, and the oil level was not at full.

[Crucible35]

[QUOTE=DeMOROlized;5796714]It's actually the other way around. 1 US quart = 0.95 litre, or 1 US gallon (4 US quarts) = 3.8 litre.


No...we're both saying the same thing.

[Crucible35]

So then ^ I am right when I say I added almost 1 entire jug/bottle/what ever of oil the 5 L one, and the oil level was not at full.

Really? WOW! You must have been way low in the oil dept....in fact, is this even possible? The enigine only holds about 5.5-6L. If you added almost an entire 5L jug and it's still not full that would mean you had no oil at all. Something wrong here.

[naemcivic]

Something is wrong here. Just ge the dipstick for measurement, just in case.

[Kay15]

I think i drove about 4 days when it said add oil 1L continue driving.. I thought that Level was a meassure of being short 1L .. Hmmm could it be because I beat it out every so often, I did strech it out to about 40 less then topping out just to see what it had it in there did my own "Carbon Build up cleaning" =)

[mauja]

Just had the low oil warning light come on. Looks to be down a quart. Have about 12500 miles on the car, and it has been 7500 miles since the last oil change. Will contact the dealer Monday, and post the results.

Anyone have any thoughts about going 10,000 mi between oil changes? Seems a bit much, especially for a turbo. Although that is no excuse for a new car to have burnt a quart so quickly.

So, I spoke with the local service department... They said the oil consumption was normal.

[DeMOROlized]

[QUOTE=Crucible35;5797928]

It's actually the other way around. 1 US quart = 0.95 litre, or 1 US gallon (4 US quarts) = 3.8 litre.


No...we're both saying the same thing.

No we are not. I am saying 1 quart = 0.95 litre (which means 1 litre is a little more than 1 quart), while you are saying 1 litre = 0.95 quart (which means 1 quart is a little more than more than 1 litre).

[Crucible35]

I stand corrected....

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Gonna update this thread a little bit. Had the low oil light go off yet again a few days ago. Took the car in once again as well. Told my SA of the frustration of having done this so many times over the period of time I have owned this car. He recommended I call Audi Customer Relations. So, I plan on calling them later this week and seeing where this takes me.

[eaniemeanie]

Most cars make some kind of ticking sound when you shut them off, it's the metal for the catalytic converter cooling down. I think our car is excessive with all the ticking and think it has to do with the huge pan that covers a large area in the front/middle of the car. I wonder if its the pan itself expanding/contracting causing it or if something is dripping on it...a lot of time mine makes that sound while its running almost like something is dripping onto it and then being burnt off right away. A/C condensation is my guess....I'll have to see if it still does it even when I don't use the a/c.

The "ticking" sound after you shut your car off is normal....all cars do it and the delaer is correct. It's metal cooling. They can't get rid of that.

Yes it's the heatshields and cats. All the cars we have do it.

Its not there on the X5, CR-V, C300 or ES 350 (2007/08/09). Why would it be there only on the Audi?

It's not. Depends on how the car is designed and if the heat shields actually get real hot. It's not on the X5 since they most likely fell off within the first couple weeks of owning the vehicle.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Yet another update on my oil burning issue. Took my car in to the dealership yesterday for yet another top off. I had put on just over 2000 miles since my last top off. Today, I decided to go ahead and call Audi Customer Relations. After we spoke they advised I go in for yet another oil consumption test (my third). I'm really hoping I can get some idea of what is happening since the mileage is becoming less and less between top offs. Anyone have any ideas as to how I can get this problem resolved or am I just stuck with it?

[hender]

keep us posted, Raudi- - I'm having pretty much the same issue. im working on a good solid bit of data before going in and really complaining (issue only started becoming an issue some 6 months ago, so i have a chart of every fill up...how much, how many kms, etc. and will throw it in their face

[coolwater]

I have a feeling the increased consumption is directly related to how hard you drive your car and how much the turbo spools.
Just a hunch though.

-cW

[cory_can]

I have a feeling the increased consumption is directly related to how hard you drive your car and how much the turbo spools.
Just a hunch though.

-cW

Don't think so....it just seems hit or miss. Strange how some have excessive oil consumption while others hardly any. 90% of the time I drive city and fairly "aggressive" on the gas/boost and my oil consumption has been quite low.

[coolwater]

I know turbo's burn oil a little more than NA engines.
Anyway, it could be the Cam Cover Seal seepage some of us have...




-cW

[cory_can]

I know turbo's burn oil a little more than NA engines.
Anyway, it could be the Cam Cover Seal seepage some of us have...
-cW

That would do it....my engine compartment is very clean around the seals (and everywhere else). Unfortunately, (right now) cleaner than the outside :)

[coolwater]

I would suggest other folks look at their engine compartment and check for this if you have consumption issues.

-cW

[ddun]

i have the same seepage and appears to be the same amount based on your pictures/blakes thread about it. i have about 21000 miles. change oil every 5k, only topped it off twice. once right before the 10k oil service change, and another right before the 20k mark. never got the low oil message, but per MMI the level was close to the bottom limits. only needed to top off about 1/2 quart to get back to full.

iirc, there appears to be a film of oil lining on my intercooler pipings when i did the FMIC install a long time ago and im still not burning as much as you guys.

some oil cosumption is normal for any car, even new. but the amount some of you are consuming id be concerned and pissed and make my dealer do all kinds of test for making me come back every 1k just top top off my oil.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

So, I took my car in today for YET another top off. My last top off was December 31st. That makes it a month and a half of driving time. I recorded my mileage from the last top off as well and my mileage was at 41,694 when the light went off. That put me in the 1700 mile ballpark for mileage between top offs. After I went to Audi I decided to call Audi Customer Relations for another update with my case. I was told by Audi that Customer Relations would have to call to authorize another oil consumption test. Yet when I call them they give me the run around. The guy told me he would have to call the dealer and talk with the service manager about my visits and prior oil consumption tests. He then informed me it is within normal parameters to have to top off oil every 1200 miles with 1 quart of oil! Seriously?!?! I have never in my life had to do that to a car of mine with the exception of an '86 CRX Si with 200,000 plus miles. This is an '09 A4 for goodness sake! I am at loss as to what to do anymore. Anyone out there with any helpful ideas? I'd really appreciate some help. Thanks guys and hope you all don't ever experience this problem with your car.

[k9lovr]

Mine is around 1 quart every 2500 miles. Also I am currently running my tune in factory mode to see if increased turbo or tune causes increased consumption

[B8noobi3]

I used to have a g35 cpe which had known problem of oil consumption in the vq35 engine. When I bought it, I did the opposite break in procedure of what people usually do i.e. Low rev until 1 k miles or so on. I did quite a few redline runs during the first 100 miles and every often until my first oil change. Long story short , the g35 never gave me any oil problems. Every 5 k miles change, there was less than a cup oil consumption .
Next car was a 2008 BMW 335i. Drove it like a stole it right off the dealer, considering it's a blast to drive with that twin turbo (no it's not a lease lol). 15 k miles later , ready for first oil change( BMW recommendation ) , the level was still up there. So turbo is not the blame here.

Sold that and now I'm in a 2011 a4. But this time I didn't do the usual heavy foot procedure because there's no whiplash when I gas it lol I know it's a more conservative car. I'm at 2500 miles now and it's not time for my first payment yet. Wish I could have seen this thread earlier .
Everyone should know that every problem we complain to the dealer , 96% of the time the answer is " it is Normal ". Unless the car is stranded and not operatable. Example - took the BMW in for :
Me: "most of the time stereo does not save bass and treble when I restart the car again."
Dealer: does the stereo work?
Me: yes!
Dealer: well it's NORMAL for it to sometime reset itself due to its calibration
Me: " can I push you off the chair and hope you land on your chin because your an idiot ( speaking in my mind that is)

Dealer service advisors are manufactures lawyer I think sometimes , the more they refuse complaints or problem the more bonus they get..

[ScoGold]

I'm really worried about this.

Purchased my 2009 A4 3.2 @ 14k and they performed the service (including oil change) at that time. Today I just hit the 5k mark where I would normally change the oil. The MMI is saying that I have 2800 before next service interval and the oil level is OK. I called AoA and they didn't have a clear answer as to when I should change my oil next (25k as per scheduled maintenance or 22k when my car 'tells me to').

What's everyone's suggestion? Should I try putting in a quart now or is there anyway to check the oil since I know it doesn't have dipstick.

Has anyone had long-term experience with only changing the oil every 10k?

[som3]

on my car, low engine oil warning came on @ 1,500km (950miles)...added 1qtz.

i am at around 2,500km (1,500miles)...the engine oil level (on MMI) is about 1/5.

my dealer told me, the oil consumption is pretty heavy till 5,000km (3,000miles).

my 1.8T(GTI) didnt not have any issue of consuming oil this bad. pretty annoying.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

My thought process is that I can't keep this car past its warranty. My car has shown me it likes to drink the oil. I bought my car CPO so I have a 6yr/100,000mile warranty but that doesn't mean I'll keep it after that. Audi Customer Relations called me tonight and said he called the dealer too late so it will be next week before I hear anything now. What kind of idiot calls a dealer 1 hour before close? Didn't help that he didn't know Tennessee is in the same time zone as Michigan(duh!). Right now it looks I will have to continue to drive my car until it decides to burn oil at an irregular amount. Then, after my engine is finally replaced I will still be screwed because who really wants to buy a car that has had its engine replaced? Sounds like a "lose lose" situation for me.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Ok, so I heard back from my dealer today. I'm going back in Thursday for another oil consumption test(my 3rd!). I hope this test finally lets me know what is going on with my oil burning. Fingers crossed!

[bradthoc]

Keep in mind that "normal" in Audi speak is burning off no more then 1 quart per 1000 miles. Oh, and you'll get the same runaround and stories if you buy a VW.

I have owned several VWs and have had put roughly 2500 miles on my 2011 A4. I have never had an issue with burning oil and a light coming on *knock on wood.*

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

I have owned several VWs and have had put roughly 2500 miles on my 2011 A4. I have never had an issue with burning oil and a light coming on *knock on wood.*

I hope you never have to experience this problem. Most unpleasant.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Took the car in for my oil consumption test today and was asked for the first time whether I had ever chipped the car. Most odd that they would ask that this time. I told them no but am worried they might find out. Will see what happens.

[orttauq]

Took the car in for my oil consumption test today and was asked for the first time whether I had ever chipped the car. Most odd that they would ask that this time. I told them no but am worried they might find out. Will see what happens.

So you're looking for answers yet you're being deceptive about what's done to the car? That makes a whole lot of sense.

[archrenov8]

And you will get the same response from MB. I had the same issues with my ML350, consuming a quart every 1,500 miles or so once it hit maybe 50,000 miles.

[ScoGold]

About once a week I get a message when manually checking the oil level via MMI that says 'Replace oil'. Then after 5 minutes of driving it goes back to oil level OK.

Any idea why this may be happening? I wonder if it is related to this other people have been mentioning. I will be bringing it in for service in the next few weeks for the routine 25,000 mi service.

[brokes4]

so i called the dealer regarding the oil level being on half on the mmi and they also told me that its normal and that i should only take it in when the oil light comes on. oh and my a4 only has 1500 miles...

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Well, took my car in today to finish up my 3rd oil consumption test and surprise, it was still within factory specs. Oh well, I have a full warranty for 6yrs/100,000miles. I'm just going to continue to drive it and top it off whenever the light comes on. Wish I could have had some closure but it doesn't look like I will get any. On a plus note, I ordered the updated sunroof bar as mine is the solid piece and not the "newer" one. This should fix the wind buffeting that I experience whenever my sunroof is open. It cost me $160 but will be well worth it.

[UnstableOS]

Wow, a lot of oil being burned by some of these new cars.

[2SwiFt29]

Does the dealer usually charge to top off the oil for you?

[Aud!]

What's abnormal in the oil consumption? I run through a quart between oil changes. It was my understand that was normal.

Yup

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Does the dealer usually charge to top off the oil for you?

No. My car is still under warranty so they top it off free of charge.

[RaudiA4INCHATT]

Yup

I'd understand a single top off but I usually have to top off my car 3 times between oil changes.