PSA? Oil Consumption
 

I put a PSA? as opposed to just a Public service announcement because I only have n=2 at this point, although since I have personally seen this behaviour, I feel comfortable posting this.

When I was making a fairly long commute to/from work, I noticed that my oil consumption appeared to have gone through the roof. That said, I drove it fairly hard at times to merge onto highways, or to cut into another lane which required me to go WOT at least 10 times or so each drive (of about 1.5-2 hours in length). I thought to myself that it was 'interesting' but also nothing to write home about because I expect increased oil consumption due to the turbocharger and because the engine runs richer to prevent LSPI (low speed preignition).

Then something strange occurred. after a few drives of puttering around town my oil level on the MMI was full, again. Rinse and repeat this several times and I can safely say that if youre looking at the oil consumption meter after an aggressive drive take it with a massive grain of salt. I got frustrated and used my dipstick (have mentioned this in the past) to measure the oil, and it measures 'full'.

The same can be said with a buddy of mine also with the D5. We both noticed this, or, well, he noticed this after I told him this.

Not statistically significant to draw conclusions but worth mentioning IMHO.

I’ve also noticed this recently over the last few weeks. I was checking things with the My Audi mobile app and found the oil level down a “tick” off full—but after the next drive, it returned back to full. This has occurred twice after the car passed the 2,000 mile mark...Currently have 2,575 miles on the OD. After this past week’s 100 mile commute (on Monday), it’s currently reading full. Is a bit strange, no?

Thanks for confirming. I chalk it up to the oil level sensor in the engine. It's whacky, at best as it's giving a reading based on extrapolation of a number of variables. Dipsticks reign king!!

Interesting...
"Calibration engineers have come up with an ingenious solution to ensure an accurate oil-level reading when the vehicle is parked on a level surface and the engine is still for long enough. Most filling-station forecourts are level and it takes a set time to fill the tank of a vehicle. After the filling stage, the ECU will trigger the oil-level measurement process when it detects that fuel has been added to the tank. Normally, a couple of readings are taken and then averaged before storing the result in the ECU’s memory. The measurement obviously needs to take place before the engine is started. The dynamic oil level can be monitored while driving but the warning thresholds to the driver will be conservatively calibrated because of all the variables that affect the dynamic oil level while the engine is running."
also interesting...
https://www.hella.com/municipal/asse...s_HELLA_EN.pdf
https://www.techtips.ie/Hella-Irelan...vel-sensor.pdf

Actually, I’ve been watching this too. I’ve got 2600 miles on my 4.0L and my oil level is at half. It was full when I got it, and I’ve not driven it anything like I drove my 2012 4.2L, which never used any oil.

I’ve also never owned one brand new, so maybe it’s normals. I guess Audi doesn’t do the 5k mile first service any more, but my service guy told me he’d do it free.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...acde0e762b.png

Damn, that seems like an excessive amount of oil consumption for only 2600 miles. My prior D4 4.0T V8 never consumed oil like that. I know, I know-- It's a new Porsche developed V8 (and Porsches are known for heavier oil consumption than others, but still...

Think I'd hunt around the engine for any oil residue just to be safe.

I think you’re right that I better have a closer look. I haven’t seen any smoke when I kick it down. And no smell or drips on my garage floor. I checked the MMI just now and it corresponds to the Audi app on my phone.

Dipstick Details?
 

Yes, interesting and nifty high tech product............Like Angry, I'll take the steel rod with ADD and FULL marks, please...at least for a reliable backup.

Say, Angry, I know where the dipstick port is on the engine but haven't dealt with getting the right dipstick and any calibrating of depth. Would you care to summarize how to make this improvement? Correct dipstick, source, calibration?

Here you go! https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...5-a8s-2971545/

The 5000 mile service isn't done, I suspect, to reduce carbon buildup on the intake valves as virgin oil has high NOACK, especially at 0w20 weight.

13 miles later, and it’s showing another bar lower for oil level. I texted my service guy, and he says it’s “normal“ and he’ll top it off. I ordered a dipstick today.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...a359fa2cce.png