Running in, Servicing and Oil consumption

[kmacuk]

OK, So I have been reading up on TFSI engines appearing to have high oil consumption issues across VW/Audi range and started to form some thoughts. It seems to be that poor running in and variable servicing are being connected to some later issues with engines. Based on this research I have taken the service plan, despite only doing 8k/year basically because I can opt for the fixed <10k service plan - had I only had the option of the variable I would not have bothered.

If taking the service plan, regardless of annual mileage I think that maybe getting oil changes annually/fixed instead of waiting variable/18k+ miles might actually be the way to go (not for Audi, who I am sure would prefer the variable as you paid up front). This does mean more visits, but I am willing to take the hit if it will result in a more reliable engine - thoughts?

Also and the main drive for the post is what are the thoughts on engine run in - seems that 1st 500-1000 miles are critical (especially to oil consumption and future engine life span) and that constant speeds initially are bad, as are high revs. Variable speed and higher loads (without labouring) for the 1st 500 miles appear to pay dividends for a long and happy car partnership. Does anyone else have info on how best to run in?

 

[dieseldoug]

Guide lines are old news, just do what you think no labouring, staying away from the red line, engines are built and tested before fitted to your car at max output so don't worry.
Don't nurse the engine, keep it happy, nail it...

 

[cuke2u]

Some say drive it like you stole it

 

[kmacuk]

Indeed I have seen that some advise this, the question is are they also the ones who have issues down the line

A quick Google on TFSI oil consumption is what lead me to this post and the connection to running in and service duration; I know lots of guys on here will keep for 3 years and warranty will take care of any issues so not an issue until you are a 2nd owner I guess.

In general I think that long life service and the resultant excessive wear and tear only show up after years 3+. I am intending to hold for more than 3 years, which is where my interest in this lies.

The modern oil and engine tech I don't buy into completely, nice marketing and good for those who run fleets but for me its just wrong to wait 18k miles to change oil.

No matter how good the engine is manufactured the initial run in results in metal fragments and oil/filter working hard; so run in and early oil filter change is logical as is a fixed service schedule rather than penny pinching on variable - IMHO

Agreed labouring is bad, worse than high revs and a warm engine also good, but these are more day to day ways of using your car.

 

[First Ever Audi]

ive done 3000 mles so far, breaking in for about 1500 Miles, no red line , no labouring but some welly! Checked the oil today and it's at the bottom of the stick...i guess i need to go for 1 L of 5W30 Fully Syn to top up

 

[RobH_S3]

Do not put fully synthetic oil in a new engine!

 

[First Ever Audi]

Do not put fully synthetic oil in a new engine!

stay with Semi ?????

 

[RobH_S3]

Yup

 

[hopeless]

Yup

This advice is wrong.

Dont mix semi and fully synthetic, use what is currently in the engine.

Do top up using fully synthetic longlife oil as this is exactly what the engine was filled up with from the factory. I think all Audi's are filled with longlife from the factory (please correct if i am wrong on this).

You're given top up oil with the new car, and it will be longlife fully synthetic, as most new engines will use a bit for the first 1000 miles.

But dont ever left the car do 18000 miles before the first service, get it done at 9000 miles.

Longlife oil is fully synthetic, and really good but the VW/Audi longlife regime is IMHO damaging to the longevity of our engines.

 

[JohnM100]

Dont mix semi and fully synthetic, use what is currently in the engine.

Do top up using fully synthetic longlife oil as this is exactly what the engine was filled up with from the factory. I think all Audi's are filled with longlife from the factory (please correct if i am wrong on this).

You're given top up oil with the new car, and it will be longlife fully synthetic, as most new engines will use a bit for the first 1000 miles.

But dont ever left the car do 18000 miles before the first service, get it done at 9000 miles.

Longlife oil is fully synthetic, and really good but the VW/Audi longlife regime is IMHO damaging to the longevity of our engines.

Agree 100% with everything in this post.

John.

 

[First Ever Audi]

This advice is wrong.

Dont mix semi and fully synthetic, use what is currently in the engine.

Do top up using fully synthetic longlife oil as this is exactly what the engine was filled up with from the factory. I think all Audi's are filled with longlife from the factory (please correct if i am wrong on this).

You're given top up oil with the new car, and it will be longlife fully synthetic, as most new engines will use a bit for the first 1000 miles.

But dont ever left the car do 18000 miles before the first service, get it done at 9000 miles.

Longlife oil is fully synthetic, and really good but the VW/Audi longlife regime is IMHO damaging to the longevity of our engines.

I went to the service desk for oil yesterday, and they confirmed what you kindly noted above. All the TFSI have FS put in at the factory, regardless of the service regime (which of course is not defined)


Although it has the Long Life Oil in it, i wont be leaving it for 18K as you say

 

[RobH_S3]

I'm surprised they out fully synthetic oil in a new engine. I was under the impression they'd put semi synth in for the first 10k miles.

And for 20k miles wow. I'll be dropping the oil after 1k never mind 20k. Will be interesting to see what's in the filter aswell.

 

[cuke2u]

What oil does it say to use in the owners manual? I've never changed the oil in any of the new cars I've owned, if it needed to be done, because of warranty issues, then all of the manufacturers would insist upon it, but they don't.

 

[coolguy]

You're given top up oil with the new car, and it will be longlife fully synthetic, as most new engines will use a bit for the first 1000 miles.

Did everyone get a free top-up? I just driven over 1000 miles now and checked to oil and just over half.

If so I'll need to ask the dealer for one.

 

[JohnM100]

I didn't get a top-up bottle of oil with mine either.....

1500 miles and still near top of dipstick (~80%) when checking before first start of the day.

John.

 

[cemerson]

I've not checked my oil actually. I got used to my old car which told you the oil level in the dashboard display whenever you started the car, guess I should have a look!

I did get a topup bottle with the car though.

 

[j0nny2013]

This advice is wrong.

Dont mix semi and fully synthetic, use what is currently in the engine.

Do top up using fully synthetic longlife oil as this is exactly what the engine was filled up with from the factory. I think all Audi's are filled with longlife from the factory (please correct if i am wrong on this).

You're given top up oil with the new car, and it will be longlife fully synthetic, as most new engines will use a bit for the first 1000 miles.

But dont ever left the car do 18000 miles before the first service, get it done at 9000 miles.

Longlife oil is fully synthetic, and really good but the VW/Audi longlife regime is IMHO damaging to the longevity of our engines.

I have had my A1 now for 12,600 miles and it hasn't had its first service or oil change yet! I have mentioned to Audi that surely the oil needs changing and every time they say until the light appears on the dash you dont need to do anything.

Anyone disagree? my New A3 will be coming in the next month and I don't want to make the same mistake!

 

[Daveotto]

I didn't get a top-up bottle of oil with mine either.....

1500 miles and still near top of dipstick (~80%) when checking before first start of the day.

John.

Bottle of top up oil should be standard, got one with both my last two A3's, and only topped up ca. 100ml after 2300+ mile on my current 2.0TDI

Have you checked in the small netted cubby hole on the left hand side of the boot or under the raised floor or in the right hand side where you can get manual access to the filler cap?

 

[coolguy]

Yeah I've checked everywhere and don't seem to have got one. So I'm guessing everyone got one but me.

 

[JohnM100]

Yeah I've checked everywhere and don't seem to have got one. So I'm guessing everyone got one but me.

Well, two of us but we are definitely in the minority.

I checked all cubby holes too incl spare wheel well. On my last A3 got top up oil with a faux leather bottle holder with Velcro so it could be stuck upright in the boot. However for this one, Dealer is too far away to make it worthwhile dropping in.

John.

 

[coolguy]

I've doubled checked and nothing.... But I've just emailed my dealer and he said he will try to sort something out. Will get back to me in the next few days.

 

[Rup]

Got the free 1 litre oil. Fully synth is always the best as they can control the molecule lengths most precisely.