Engine Oil sign on the dashboard?

[ntp]

Hi all,

I wonder if you could help me with some information here. This morninig I noticed that the engine oil icon on the dashboard has come on. This probably means that I need to change the oil although I have only done around 6000 miles since it was changed 2 years ago. I will change the oil anyway but wondered if the icon on my dashboard will disappear after that. Does it need to be VAGCOM cleared or will it disappear on its own?

Can I also drive it for the next 2 days? is it safe? I won't be doing lots of miles.

Does anybody knows what brand Long Life Oil I should buy? I have got an A4 B7 3.0l TDI Quattro.

Thanks for your help in advance!

[Puresilk]

Someone correct me if im wrong!

BUT the orange oil warning light on the dashboard means oil low????

And normallty requires approx 1/2 litre of oil and the light should go out, top it up asap!

You change your oil when the service indicator indicates to do so, or unless you like changing your oil every 5k or 6 months etc etc!

[ntp]

Someone correct me if im wrong!

BUT the orange oil warning light on the dashboard means oil low????

And normallty requires approx 1/2 litre of oil and the light should go out, top it up asap!

You change your oil when the service indicator indicates to do so, or unless you like changing your oil every 5k or 6 months etc etc!

Thanks Puresilk,

It's not an orange light but just an icon on the main dashboard screen. It does say sensor next to it though so you may be right that I may be short of oil. Is this normal though, there haven't been any leaks at all and the engine is only on 34K so shouldn't take any oil (i suppose).

It's been 2 years since it was changed (dont' drive alot - 6k miles only) and I have been giving her a lot of grilling so would it be best to change it anyway?

Thanks

[Sam]

You could just check the level of the oil?

[Eshrules]

tdi's aren't called oil burners for nothing - 6k without a top up is beyond what I'd expect - I would take mycarsavw's advice and check it, before driving anywhere.

[ntp]

tdi's aren't called oil burners for nothing - 6k without a top up is beyond what I'd expect - I would take mycarsavw's advice and check it, before driving anywhere.
Thanks, I will check it tonight. do you recomment changing the long life oil or simply topping it up?

[Puresilk]

I have read it is normal for Audis to burn upto 1 litre of oil every 1K when new, i think thats quite extreme though!!

However my 06 REG Audi on 166K guzzles 1/2 litre of oil every 5k so i top it up.

I think the mileage you do is too low for the Long Life Schedule and you should change to 10k 12 months schedule and use normal oil.

I would just leave the oil change to 10K or 12 months whatever comes first if i was you, but seeing its been 2 years and you have only done 6k only, the oil needs a change now as the Long Life is 18-20K or 24 Months whatever comes first.

[ntp]

I have read it is normal for Audis to burn upto 1 litre of oil every 1K when new, i think thats quite extreme though!!

However my 06 REG Audi on 166K guzzles 1/2 litre of oil every 5k so i top it up.

I think the mileage you do is too low for the Long Life Schedule and you should change to 10k 12 months schedule and use normal oil.

I would just leave the oil change to 10K or 12 months whatever comes first if i was you, but seeing its been 2 years and you have only done 6k only, the oil needs a change now as the Long Life is 18-20K or 24 Months whatever comes first.

Thanks a lot. Can you recommend a brand and oil filter? I was told i need to buy 0W30. Can you send me something that I can use to search online?

I hope i am not bothering you wiht my questins.

[Hex69]

Try Opie Oils, site sponsors.

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?94-Opieoils

[ntp]

Will do, thanks

[Puresilk]

I currently use VAG approved Quantum which is the Long Life Oil but any of the following are good:

Castrol
Mobil 1
Shell
Fuchs

as long as you get the right one for your car!

[ntp]

I currently use VAG approved Quantum which is the Long Life Oil but any of the following are good:

Castrol
Mobil 1
Shell
Fuchs

as long as you get the right one for your car!

Thanks, I will check with the site sponsors next week.

[Sam]

I'm confused, your other posts asking for VCDS assistance suggest you've serviced the car. Did you check the oil when you were carrying out the service?

[ntp]

I'm confused, your other posts asking for VCDS assistance suggest you've serviced the car. Did you check the oil when you were carrying out the service?

I will explain. The car was serviced 2 years ago but the Service message wasn't cleared as the Independent Audi garage didn't have VCDS. So I have been driving with that message displayed for 2 years now decided to get it cleared if I can. :-) Change of oil is a different thing that I need to do as it's been 2 years already.

Nik

[ntp]

Update!

I have just checked the fuel level and it wasn't too bad. I topped it up a bit to get the level to the Max section but the icon on the dashboard didn't disappear. I then realised that today is exactly 2 years after the last change of oil. So i supposed the icon only means that the oil must be changed (not topped up).

I will buy the oil next week but wonder how to reset that icon again. Let's say I change the oil and the filter myself, would the icon reset itself or do i need to do something (press a combination of buttons)? I now know how to reset the SERVICE message but am not sure about the oil icon on the dashboard.

[jdp1962]

Update!

I have just checked the fuel level and it wasn't too bad. I topped it up a bit to get the level to the Max section but the icon on the dashboard didn't disappear. I then realised that today is exactly 2 years after the last change of oil. So i supposed the icon only means that the oil must be changed (not topped up).

I will buy the oil next week but wonder how to reset that icon again. Let's say I change the oil and the filter myself, would the icon reset itself or do i need to do something (press a combination of buttons)? I now know how to reset the SERVICE message but am not sure about the oil icon on the dashboard.

Is it not covered in the owner's manual?

[keemaklan]

Wait, is there a way to reset the SERVICE message without Vag-Com?

[Lateknight]

Ignition off.
Press and hold the spanner symbolled button in the bottom right of the instrument binnacle.
Switch ignition on.
(you can let go of 'spanner' button)
Press 0.0 button next to it to reset service indicator. - this has to be done within 5 seconds of letting go of the 'spanner' button -

This will only reset the servicing indicator to fixed (10000 miles) servicing.

[ntp]

Wait, is there a way to reset the SERVICE message without Vag-Com?

Yes, it works. As someone mentioned earlier it is covered in the manual on page 16.

Thanks for all your help.

[ntp]

Update!

I have just checked the fuel level and it wasn't too bad. I topped it up a bit to get the level to the Max section but the icon on the dashboard didn't disappear. I then realised that today is exactly 2 years after the last change of oil. So i supposed the icon only means that the oil must be changed (not topped up).

I will buy the oil next week but wonder how to reset that icon again. Let's say I change the oil and the filter myself, would the icon reset itself or do i need to do something (press a combination of buttons)? I now know how to reset the SERVICE message but am not sure about the oil icon on the dashboard.

Well, the icon did diasappear after all. I am glad that it's all sorted now. My engine oil has been ordered from OPEIL and is to be changed next week.

Thanks for your valuable advice.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[keemaklan]

Well, the icon did diasappear after all. I am glad that it's all sorted now. My engine oil has been ordered from OPEIL and is to be changed next week.

Thanks for your valuable advice.

Thank you for supporting this forum by supporting the site sponsers!

Thanks to LateKnight also for the heads up on the service reset procedure. Your a star mate!

[Splash]

Update!

I have just checked the fuel level and it wasn't too bad. I topped it up a bit to get the level to the Max section but the icon on the dashboard didn't disappear.

At your mileage rate it's probably a good idea to check your oil level (I know that's what you really meant) every time you fill up with fuel, or wash the car.

[ntp]

At your mileage rate it's probably a good idea to check your oil level (I know that's what you really meant) every time you fill up with fuel, or wash the car.

Splash, it's ok now. The icon disappeared after a while.