Losing Oil

[wolf02]

Hi,

I understand that the V8 does use some oil during general driving.
But im concerned how much im having to top up.
Im having to put around 1ltr in every few months.

I dont drive the car that much, in fact very little as I work from home most of the time.

I keep experiencing the oil top up light coming on, mostly its when i drive on the motorway. The exhausts are also BLACK from the oil coming out the back.

I do drive the car fairly hard when i do take it out.

Is this normal usage ?? if not what should i look for causing the problem ?

Also, there doesnt appear to be any leaks as there is no spots on the driveway etc. So unless its leaking only when under driving conditions I dont think thats the problem.

Thanks!!

[ShaneyB]

Ditto??

[Pete.S]

When you say 1 litre every few months, how many miles does that equate to between top ups?

Mine drinks about 2 or 3 litres in between (AVS) services (~17k miles) which is quite normal

[wolf02]

I do very few miles in my car, mostly short trips.
Its probably going through around 1 litre every 1000 miles.

[Greengoblin]

Sounds like you have a problem , my one uses approx 1 litre / 5000 miles

[BlingBling]

What service plan are you on? You maybe using the wrong oil spec if your mileage is low. For low mileage you should be on a fixed service schedule, approx. yearly. I was suffering similar problems but switching to fixed service intervals, different oil spec, sorted it out. I do approx. 8k miles a year

[wolf02]

Im on the yearly Audi longlife service plan, done by my local audi dealer.
Should I switch it to regular service plan ie non longlife ?
Would this help ?

[BlingBling]

Your on the right service plan for your mileage. Do they use the correct spec? Fixed service plans should use 5W-40 fully synthetic oil.

[xyber]

What service plan are you on? You maybe using the wrong oil spec if your mileage is low. For low mileage you should be on a fixed service schedule, approx. yearly. I was suffering similar problems but switching to fixed service intervals, different oil spec, sorted it out. I do approx. 8k miles a year

Ive had this before, one brand and spec oil was fine, which was actually the manufacturers recommended oil, others just went straight through it

Thats on a low annual mileage engine, I only do about 3-4k a year and change oil and filter every April

[wolf02]

Cant be 100% sure that its the correct oil, on the receipt it says they used "SLX3 Castrol longlife oil".
Any ideas ? Plus if audi cant get it right who can you trust ?!

[BlingBling]

Check your handbook it will say what the oil spec is for fixed service intervals. AFAIK SLX3 or long life oils should not be used for fixed service intervals.

[Pete.S]

Cant be 100% sure that its the correct oil, on the receipt it says they used "SLX3 Castrol longlife oil".
Any ideas ? Plus if audi cant get it right who can you trust ?!

Yep if you're on variable service that's (or that was) the right oil, now superseded by Castrol Edge

[Ridgeway]

I will be in a similar position, plan to run for about 5-6k p/a and so the S4 will be serviced annually.

But still not sure what oil to use ?

It is required to change the oil mid interval ie every 6 months in my case ? That's what the previous owner was doing ie Audi made the annual service and in between he changed oil and filters himself, was going to follow this but not sure after reading this

[BlingBling]

The fixed internal oil sped is 502, 5W-40.

@wolf02. They used the wrong oil spec during your sevice. slx3 is VW504/507. I.e. Long life

[wolf02]

Thanks, I'll have a word with them, in the short term whats my best plan?
My service is not for another 6 months, should I do a full oil change or just keep topping up.
Will it do any harm just topping up ?