User 71423

So last year I had an oil consumption test done. For the past 2 years since purchasing my 2010 Audi A4 used, I've had to top-up the oil in between oil changes. As a result, the dealership did Part 1 and 2 of the Oil Consumption Test.

On January 24th 2013, part 1 of the oil consumption test was performed which resulted in the following steps:

- replaced PCV Valve Crank Seal & ECM Software Update
- Measured Oil of 85.86MM
- Customer to return vehicle between 750KM-1,000KM's of driving
- Odometer read 39,087KM on the vehicle

On February 4th, 2013, returned vehicle for Step 2 of Consumption test:

- Odometer read 40,016KM, within the specified range of the dealership request
- Measured Oil of 88.23MM
- No Further Action Required stated by Dealership

My question is this. How is it that Part 2 of the test measured more oil than part 1 when no further oil was added? Am I reading these measurements wrong?? Assuming that Part 2 of the test did measure more oil, how would that be possible???

I'm still topping up oil in between oil changes. In fact, two weeks ago I had my oil topped up because the low oil light indicator came on. Dealership topped it up. Since then, my car is already at 50% on the oil reading meter.

How much oil does a 50% drop in the Oil Reading on our MMI represent?

Thanks

smonska

How many miles did it take before the low oil light came on (~1 quart low)? That's the crucial metric here.

If it takes more than 1,000 miles or so to use a quart, which is ridiculous IMHO, they'll say that's acceptable. Every Audi my family has owned needs a quart every few thousand miles, which works out to 2 or 3 top-ups every 10k oil change interval. That's normal for a 2.0T. If it's using a quart in 1,000 miles or less, that's a problem.

User 71423

Definitely not anywhere near that level of consumption. I'd wager a guess that I'm having to top up the oil every 5,000-6000km's which is approximately 3,100 miles.

I guess the question I have is related to my consumption test. How can I have MORE oil when they remeasured it after driving 1,000KM's? They performed stage 1, measured my oil level. I drove for 1,000KM's and it seems my oil reading was higher. How is that possible or am I misreading the results I listed below?

I'm beginning to question whether they even did the test properly. Also, what year A4 would I be safe to go to in order to avoid these massive oil consumption issues. Are the 2012-2014 models resolved?

smonska

They are likely measuring the distance down the dipstick from the top with a tape measure.

FYI, a quart every 3k is not "massive oil consumption". Mercedes, Porsche, etc all conusme that or more as normal. You'd be hard pressed to find an A4 of any year that uses less than a quart in 5k.

Back in the old days of oil changes every 3k miles, no one would ever notice this level of use because by the time it was down enough to matter, you changed it. Now that cars have ~10k oil changes, top ups are normal practice.

User 71423

I was thinking this very thing the other day as well. One thing I will give credit to Audi for is that when I come to the dealership to have my car topped up with oil, I'm literally in and out within 10 minutes. Sure it's a bit of an inconvenience to go there to have it topped up, but at least the service is top notch.

I currently have just under 71,000KM's on this vehicle. I was debating trading to a newer year i.e.: 2012 Audi A4, but not sure at this stage as the vehicle does seem to be running smoothly.

Any other issues I should be aware of on these models? One thing I've been noticing is a loose rattle/creaking noise from the seatbelt pillar on the driver side. Not sure if it's from the seat belt encasement or the door.

bpp

Oil consumption test stage 1 is measured by weight, not by oil level either on the dipstick (if you have one) or the MMI. The quantity added for the first fill after the seals and software update to begin the test is weighed.
The accuracy if Stage 1 fails is far and above any other method.

smonska

There's no need to go to a dealer to add oil. A jug of 5 qts of Castrol 0W-40 is $25 at Walmart, a 1qt bottle is about $6.

jagtoes

I have 4 vehicles (1989 , 2008 , 2010 , 2012) which I do an oil change every 5,000 miles and other then the 1989 (345K miles on it with some leaks , down 1 qt.) they have NO visible oil loss. HP of these cars range from 140 to 510 . Good engineering would fix the oil burner issues. If other brands burn it they then have a design flaw. If thinking that 3,000 miles per quart is OK then the Audi marketing forces have won the battle.

smonska

It varies by vehicle to vehicle. As you've noted, some burn no oil. My Mother's Buick Regal uses no oil in a 7k oil change, but I know of many vehicles which since new consume a quart in some thousands of miles. Ironically, the higher performance/more expensive vehicles seem more likely to do this. My point isn't to argue that it's great to use oil, but that a quart in THOUSANDS of miles isn't a reason to lose sleep, a quart in hundreds would be.