Oil use in your MK5 GTI, what is considered normal and what would be a concern?

[methylnick]

So I have had my GTI for over 6 years now and with more than 120,000kms on the clock and beginning to notice the oil use. (I have taken some big, long distance drives over the easter holiday period I must admit).

I popped into Repco to buy some engine oil and picked up some Mobil 1 5W40 fully synthetic. Waiting to pay for it, I spotted some Repco oil for half the price so I asked the guy as I was paying, apart from the brand what is the difference? He was quite honest and told me in reality it is what is on the label and what the oil has been tested and approved by. We got talking and he found out I had a GTI and said well the oil I was about to buy was the wrong grade, I really needed the ESP version which Repco don't sell so he suggested the Penrite Enviro + 5W40 fully synthetic. He made the comment that it was strange my car was using oil as he had one and it doesn't. Which made me think what is considered normal usage and what is considered abnormal.

Doing the searches I have found conversations about cars from brand new and something as great as 1L/5000kms. Which is about what my car is doing now approximately. With my car I know it does use oil and when I bought it, the sales guy said I could come in and get free top ups along the way.

So my question is, with older golf's what are peoples oil consumption?

[a239947]

I have a mkVI R and my oil light will come on in about 8-9000kms. You car and mine have the same engine and high oil usage is normal!

Sent from my GT-I9100

[PhilMart]

I have a 2008 GTI and have noticed since 105K service that I am starting to use a lot more oil. I think that the light come on about 5K after the service and topups since I have just put in 500ml when the light comes on. Still have used about 2ltrs since the last service and I am coming up to 120K.

I never see oil on the garage floor and don't seem to notice it coming out exhaust or anywhere else. Not sure how it is disappearing!

[Milos2504]

Same thing here, I got a mk5 GTI with around 140,000 on it and I usually have to top up twice in between services. Mechanic says its normal on those cars even tho it seems a bit weird.

[nat225]

For mk6 gti, the owner manual says 1L/1,500 km is normal.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[tom89]

MKV GTI, generally uses 1L for every 10000km

[Fixxxer]

There's lots of threads about oil consumption from these motors from all round the world. Can't say I've heard of anyone having a motor die from it, so long as you keep oil topped up. Some use oil, some don't. Im sure theres a guy on these forums that's done over 200k on his and his uses something like 1L every 2000km.
1L/5000km is great. Enjoy

Fixxxer

[methylnick]

Thanks for your replies guys, as to where is all going, I suspect in the puff of black smoke that happens when one squeezes the pedal a little more

[Idle]

Black smoke is usually from over-fuelling — smoke from oil is blue.

[Lucas_R]

My friends Mk5 GTI goes through about 1L or oil every 2,000km or so, whereas my Mk6 Golf R and Mk6 GTI don't use a drop.

Oil use is also quite common in the Mk6 GTI engine too, and the 1.4L twincharge used in the Polo GTI.

[piper26]

Hi,
For the pre my2010 the spec is 1l/1000km.
Without knowing your driving style or overall condition of car I can only recommend inspecting the pcv valve, intake hose onto turbo inlet as well as the intake seals (charge side) especially if you have had a timing belt replacement as these items can be bumped and are also susceptible to wear and tear.
If all these items are ok then a ball park figure I feel is no reason for concern would be anything less than 0.7l/1000km. Any higher and there may be wear of the rings present.

Also the mkvi r is a similar engine but is not the same. Many different componentry.

[piper26]

Also make sure you are using the correct oil otherwise you will be chasing your tail

[Ricka]

My MkV GTI uses 1l./2,800km (measured), at 100,000km. I queried it with the dealer and they said that if it gets to 1l./2,000km, which is the standard, they will do something. I have also seen this standard quoted elsewhere. Used oil from new, gradually increased over the years.

If I could find a '504' oil heaver than 5W30 I would use it.

[themarvel2004]

So I'm watching mine closely now as I had topped off the car at the start of last month, but today going around a right turn the oil light flashed on, & "stop" appeared momentarily. I pulled into a side street & found my stick was dry!!! Crawled thee 5km to repco & it took 1.5L to get it back to full. Good thing Penrite was 40% off this weekend!!!
Anyway - will now watch it extra close as that was a slightly scary moment!