Have topped up oil, but....

[rob1990]

Hi all

Was just about to return home from Wales, today (110 mile journey) and the oil light on my 06 2.0 140 TDI came on with the message 'check oil level'

I couldn't find an open garage where I was, as I know zip about cars, and after about 40miles I decided to just top it up myself in a garage forecourt

I've used 5w30 (507.00) shell ultra, and as I couldn't make head nor tail of vw's wonderful dipstick, have poured about 600ml into it

Is this oil ok, or should I seek a car hospital asap?

It appears to be running ok....

[g-black]

You'll find your car is very thirsty on oil, mine was. Any oil in theory will be fine and yes the dipstick on thy engine was designed by a dipstick! Its very hard to see where the oil level is

[rob1990]

You'll find your car is very thirsty on oil, mine was. Any oil in theory will be fine and yes the dipstick on thy engine was designed by a dipstick! Its very hard to see where the oil level is

Thanks again G

As I say, my other concern is that I've overfilled it

I wonder how much is too much from when the oil light comes on?

[johnloaderuk]

When I had a 55 reg Passat with the same 2.0 TDI 140 engine whenever the low oil level light came on I always put in a whole 1 litre. It does say somewhere in the handbook it takes approximately 1 litre to top it up completely. I also gave up trying to read the dipstick, but always carried a spare 1 litre of oil at all times. Mine required topping up every 8k miles or so, I always put in the whole 1 litre and never had any problems over the 146k miles I kept the car for, so don't worry about only putting in 600ml.

The only problem would be if the oil level warning light was faulty, and it didn't really need topping up at all.

[rob1990]

When I had a 55 reg Passat with the same 2.0 TDI 140 engine whenever the low oil level light came on I always put in a whole 1 litre. It does say somewhere in the handbook it takes approximately 1 litre to top it up completely. I also gave up trying to read the dipstick, but always carried a spare 1 litre of oil at all times. Mine required topping up every 8k miles or so, I always put in the whole 1 litre and never had any problems over the 146k miles I kept the car for, so don't worry about only putting in 600ml.

The only problem would be if the oil level warning light was faulty, and it didn't really need topping up at all.

*Turns on 'Paranoia Mode'*

[johnloaderuk]

Don't worry, I'm sure all is fine.

[g-black]

Yea was reading the handbook for the oil yesterday actually! It shows which marks on the dipstick mean and how much you should fill up. 600ml with the light on should put it to about just over half way up. Book does recommend keeping it topped up for cold conditions, but were past that now!

[fat controller]

You'll find your car is very thirsty on oil, mine was. Any oil in theory will be fine and yes the dipstick on thy engine was designed by a dipstick! Its very hard to see where the oil level is

I've had mine a year, and only put a litre in it in that time (8000 miles approx) - although thirstier than some I have owned, its not as bad as I thought it would be.

[DSG4ME]

507 is overkill in that engine, so there's no need to worry there, when the light comes on add 1 litre, book says 1/2 litre but that has always left the warning on in mine, I need to top up every 3k, hth.

[rapport25]

I've had mine a year, and only put a litre in it in that time (8000 miles approx) - although thirstier than some I have owned, its not as bad as I thought it would be.

Mine was around 9k when I needed to top up :approve:

[rapport25]

507 is overkill in that engine, so there's no need to worry there, when the light comes on add 1 litre, book says 1/2 litre but that has always left the warning on in mine, I need to top up every 3k, hth.

Every 3k. Thats shocking!!!! Any idea why some seem to drink oil while others dont?

[DSG4ME]

Every 3k. Thats shocking!!!! Any idea why some seem to drink oil while others dont?


I think it's the turbo doing it tbh Rappy, when I hoof it I can produce a good cloud of smoke, other's say it's a loose ring engine and it simply goes past the rings, which makes sense again, anyway I've got myself a deal where I effectively pay £2 per litre for a 505.01 oil, so it's not worth all the hassle having it pulled apart to find nothing anyway, I think VW say 1 Litre per 500 miles is correct, if only they'd print it in the front of the brochure and in large letters in future so ppl are aware it is a possibility.

[rapport25]

I think it's the turbo doing it tbh Rappy, when I hoof it I can produce a good cloud of smoke, other's say it's a loose ring engine and it simply goes past the rings, which makes sense again, anyway I've got myself a deal where I effectively pay £2 per litre for a 505.01 oil, so it's not worth all the hassle having it pulled apart to find nothing anyway, I think VW say 1 Litre per 500 miles is correct, if only they'd print it in the front of the brochure and in large letters in future so ppl are aware it is a possibility.

Simple fix. Dont hoof it ;). Is this just PD engines or the newer CR units as well?

Off topic. Regardless of it being a heavy drinker. How are you finding it? I'm still in 2 minds to get rid.

[Teflon]

Simple fix. Dont hoof it ;). Is this just PD engines or the newer CR units as well?

My 140 CR hasn't needed a top up in all its 16k miles. Always at the top of the stick.

On the other hand, my GTI drinks like a docker from day one and VW says 600 miles/litre is just dandy. The wife has exactly the same 2.0 turbo FSI in her car and that one doesn't use a drop. I reckon it is an individual engine thing, not particularly by engine type.

[Qman5]

Shell Ultra 507 is the correct oil for your engine. I cannot see why it would be "overkill"

My Passat 1.9 PDTDI and my wife's 1.9 Golf never use any oil, I don't know why.

[Europa25]

I'd check in with the dealer - depends which type of service intervals your car is on - long interval or regular.

There is a warning on the engine not to overfill, as far as i know it can compromise your catalytic converter.

Hope all goes good :beerchug:

[Stuart W]

When I had a 55 reg Passat with the same 2.0 TDI 140 engine whenever the low oil level light came on I always put in a whole 1 litre. It does say somewhere in the handbook it takes approximately 1 litre to top it up completely.

Weren't people with the 140 PD engine complaining that the 1 litre stated by the handbook for refilling from the bottom of the dipstick was overfilling it? I think that's been my experience early on, but I've been trying to put in smaller amounts regularly rather than waiting for the light to come on.

I think half a litre was considered adequate to bring the oil level up from low to the max level on the dipstick?




I also gave up trying to read the dipstick, but always carried a spare 1 litre of oil at all times. Mine required topping up every 8k miles or so, I always put in the whole 1 litre and never had any problems over the 146k miles I kept the car for, so don't worry about only putting in 600ml.


Yes, I think most people seemed to be managing with one litre to top up between long life services, but there have certainly been plenty guzzling oil at an alarming pace.

[Tony_Essex]

I agree with previous comments that oil usage is an engine specific thing, which can vary.

I can add my own personal obversation that since switching from 507 to 505.01 (I have a non DPF 2.0tdi 140 and have annual services) the car is using much less oil. I assume that one of the properties of the 507 oil lends it to being burnt off more easily.

[dunkley201]

Mine gets by with about a litre or less between (LL) services. Previous B5.5 (PD130) and B5 (110) were about the same. No complaints here (apart from the stoopid PD140 dipstick, that is)