A35 oil consumption

[Milnesy]

My A35 has just clocked 6000 miles and I have had a warning to say that I need to add oil. This seems a little early to me. Anyone had similar or views?

I have had the car since 1st March this year and used it for a couple of long journeys from Sheffield to the south coast and back and a tour of Wales over the summer. Other than that it has been used on the daily commute and usual social driving. No hard racing other than the odd squeeze and run in carefully for a good 1000 miles.

Generally the car has been ok with a couple of dashboard rattles quickly sorted by the dealer and a blank instrument panel which was cured by a software update.

 

[Danny5]

My A35 has just clocked 6000 miles and I have had a warning to say that I need to add oil. This seems a little early to me. Anyone had similar or views?

I have had the car since 1st March this year and used it for a couple of long journeys from Sheffield to the south coast and back and a tour of Wales over the summer. Other than that it has been used on the daily commute and usual social driving. No hard racing other than the odd squeeze and run in carefully for a good 1000 miles.

Generally the car has been ok with a couple of dashboard rattles quickly sorted by the dealer and a blank instrument panel which was cured by a software update.

Have you checked the oil level? It may just be a built in warning that MB recommend that the oils changed every 6months or 6000 miles. It’s a bit ott but is a standard recommendation these days.

 

[tonysmb]

What does the handbook say?

Many, if not all, newer MBs state that the engine might use up to 1 litre per 1,000 miles. On the face of it 1 litre in 6000 miles doesn't seem too bad and it might settle down now that it's run-in, although many (not me) will say new engines don't need 'running in'. Personally, I still ecpect engines not to use oil - it was common place years ago (through burning and leaks), then we progressed to leak free non-burning engines but now we seem to have regressedva little and a degree of oil consumption seems to be okay.

 

[Milnesy]

MB have put a litre of oil into the car f.o.c. and have asked me to keep an eye on the oil level. If it continues at the same rate they will do a consumption check but they suggest it should settle down now the engine is run in. The onboard management system makes this easy enough to do.

The next three weeks will soon tell me as I have a trip around Scotland then straight down to Bristol. Should be 2000 plus of driving.

 

[Milnesy]

Should have said there isn't anything in the handbook.

 

[paulr2006]

With modern engines/Thin Oil it is quite common to use oil until the engine is completely run in, this can take many thousands of miles.

 

[cdcls]

1 litre every 6000 doesn't seem too bad to me. My old BMW 330 used to do a litre every 4000 ish. The handbook actually stated acceptable usage was 1 litre every 1000km! (625miles). BMW confirmed there was nothing wrong with my car and perfectly within spec.

 

[Milnesy]

Cheers. Will keep an eye on it and update if anything changes