Oil consumption, should I be concerned?

Bailsy · Jun 19th, 2012, 23:05

I've got a 2006 S40 with 1.8 petrol engine, and have done about 6000 miles since I bought it in January. In all that time I've topped up the oil less than 1 litre in total, it hasn't used much at all.

But this weekend did a long journey, 800 miles round trip. I checked the oil before setting off and topped up to full on the dipstick. Steady motorway cruising all the way, with only a couple of short stops so engine was always hot.

When I got home a message appeared 'REMINDER CHECK OIL LEVEL', which I thought was odd, and when I checked it was just above the MIN on the dipstick.

The oil hasn't leaked, the underside of the engine is all dry. Can it really have burnt so much oil on one long journey (no smoke noticeable), having used hardly any for the previous 6 months?

Anyone know what is acceptable for oil consumption, and would a very long journey at constant speed cause it to use more?

In short...............should I be worried???

Spike1918 · Jun 20th, 2012, 04:14

Do you know what the quantity of oil is between the upper and lower levels marked on the dipstick?
An 800 mile journey at mostly motorway speeds would not pose any problem normally but I wonder if a crankcase / engine breather has become compromised and oil has been burnt after being blown through the recirculating system.
Have you checked the air cleaner and associated hoses for oil contamination?
I`m not familier with the `plumbing` of an S40 but I`m sure knowledgable others who are fully familier with this model will be along soon.
It does seem strange that possibly as much as 0.5 of a litre has been used in one 800 mile round trip, keep a close eye on that dipstick in the meantime.

Welton · Jun 20th, 2012, 08:07

I didn't know our cars were capable of low-oil reminders??

It is rare for piston ring wear to happen these days but it would be worth getting the breather system checked. I had a Honda once with a sticky 'PCV' valve (positive crankcase ventilation) and that caused it to use oil.

Daim · Jun 20th, 2012, 08:58

The oil level reminder only comes after half of the intervall. It is simply a reminder. The car can't sense if you checked it or not.

Daim · Jun 20th, 2012, 09:03

PS: don't be worried. There are so many different variables in the measuring. Park the car somewhere def. flat and measure when cold.

MacV50 · Jun 20th, 2012, 10:59

Most manufacturers say up to 1 litre/1000 miles (or is it km?) is acceptable and the normal amount of oil from min to max on the dipstick is 0.5 litre

Having said that, I'd never had an engine that burned more than 0.5 litre between services. Even my first car, a 1983 MG Metro (don't laugh!) didn't burn much.

If you've got no leaks then it must be getting burned so as has been said, get the breather checked and if that's clean, a compression check might be the next stage. Could be valve guides.

How many miles on the engine?

Jun 19th, 2012, 23:05	#1
Bailsy New Member Last Online: Mar 23rd, 2014 11:01 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bury	Oil consumption, should I be concerned? I've got a 2006 S40 with 1.8 petrol engine, and have done about 6000 miles since I bought it in January. In all that time I've topped up the oil less than 1 litre in total, it hasn't used much at all. But this weekend did a long journey, 800 miles round trip. I checked the oil before setting off and topped up to full on the dipstick. Steady motorway cruising all the way, with only a couple of short stops so engine was always hot. When I got home a message appeared 'REMINDER CHECK OIL LEVEL', which I thought was odd, and when I checked it was just above the MIN on the dipstick. The oil hasn't leaked, the underside of the engine is all dry. Can it really have burnt so much oil on one long journey (no smoke noticeable), having used hardly any for the previous 6 months? Anyone know what is acceptable for oil consumption, and would a very long journey at constant speed cause it to use more? In short...............should I be worried???

Jun 20th, 2012, 04:14	#2
Spike1918 Looney Last Online: Mar 29th, 2017 14:56 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Here n there	Do you know what the quantity of oil is between the upper and lower levels marked on the dipstick? An 800 mile journey at mostly motorway speeds would not pose any problem normally but I wonder if a crankcase / engine breather has become compromised and oil has been burnt after being blown through the recirculating system. Have you checked the air cleaner and associated hoses for oil contamination? I`m not familier with the `plumbing` of an S40 but I`m sure knowledgable others who are fully familier with this model will be along soon. It does seem strange that possibly as much as 0.5 of a litre has been used in one 800 mile round trip, keep a close eye on that dipstick in the meantime. __________________ I get into a pink Volva whenever I like, my S70 is coral red metallic. Volvo S70 SE auto 1998 vintage

Jun 20th, 2012, 08:07	#3
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	I didn't know our cars were capable of low-oil reminders?? It is rare for piston ring wear to happen these days but it would be worth getting the breather system checked. I had a Honda once with a sticky 'PCV' valve (positive crankcase ventilation) and that caused it to use oil. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

Jun 20th, 2012, 08:58	#4
Daim Brit in Germany Last Online: Jun 6th, 2024 15:57 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bremen	The oil level reminder only comes after half of the intervall. It is simply a reminder. The car can't sense if you checked it or not. __________________ The Best Nation Is Imagination 2010 V70 (Type 135) D5 (D5244T10) Automatic (TF-80SC)

Jun 20th, 2012, 09:03	#5
Daim Brit in Germany Last Online: Jun 6th, 2024 15:57 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bremen	PS: don't be worried. There are so many different variables in the measuring. Park the car somewhere def. flat and measure when cold. __________________ The Best Nation Is Imagination 2010 V70 (Type 135) D5 (D5244T10) Automatic (TF-80SC)

Jun 20th, 2012, 10:59	#6
MacV50 Master Member Last Online: Jun 4th, 2024 19:38 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Aberdeen	Most manufacturers say up to 1 litre/1000 miles (or is it km?) is acceptable and the normal amount of oil from min to max on the dipstick is 0.5 litre Having said that, I'd never had an engine that burned more than 0.5 litre between services. Even my first car, a 1983 MG Metro (don't laugh!) didn't burn much. If you've got no leaks then it must be getting burned so as has been said, get the breather checked and if that's clean, a compression check might be the next stage. Could be valve guides. How many miles on the engine?

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