Lady I work with bought a brand new Audi A1 in January. The oil light came on today so I looked at the dip stick and the oil was low. I've never bought a new car so is this a normal thing for when the engine is being run in??

I told he to take it to the nearest Audi dealer to buy some oil and have it topped up, maybe they would do it for free with it being so new. I doubt it but you never know. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

I've never bought a new car either, but it's certainly the case with some of my bikes, especially the GS which drank oil till it had done about 20 000 miles..... Steve

2008 TD4 HSE Auto, Zermatt Silver

The lady took it to a local garage who topped the car up with 1.5 litres for a tenner. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

First it would be good to know what the handbook says the light is on for.
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Most cars have an oil light for pressure. If this light shows then you stop driving and find out why. Running with this light on will most likely cause the engine to self destruct.
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If it is a light for low oil level then its advisable to check the handbook and the dip stick and only drive if it is above the bottom level marker on the dipstick.
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Modern cars run on thin oil and some will use oil because of greater clearances than engines of old; its all in order to get lower friction and lower fuel consumption.
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The owner should have been opening the bonnet and checking at least weekly; have they been watching the level going down quickly?
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Kind regards from Fred
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To be honest Fred I don't think she will have checked it at all. She said the oil light was on and showed me the book which stated the oil level was low. I dipped it and it was on the low mark. She took it to a local garage who topped it up. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Oil consumption seems excessive, if it went from full to low mark in 3 months... ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

Hi Steve,
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I think it might be wise for her to buy a bottle of the specific Audi approved oil and to carry it in the car as a 'just in case' and to keep an eye on the level from now on. Any ideas if the garage put in an Audi approved oil? Just thinking in case there is a specific problem and warranty is involved they might play 'clever clogs' and do a lab test on the oil. If something shows that shouldn't be there they may void any engine repair costs.
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if there is any doubt about the oil top up specification then it might be wise to go straight to the dealer and get him to do a swift oil and filter change.
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I do hope this may help...
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Kind regards from Fred.
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IME, VAG cars can use what seems to be excess oil in the early months/miles, taking a while to "bed in". I have no experience of this engine, but certainly the 1.9 and 2.0 TDi's in Passats could use over a litre between oil changes - and even use in excess of that is considered to be "within spec" according to VAG!

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

piattj wrote:

Oil consumption seems excessive, if it went from full to low mark in 3 months...

.... assuming it was at the 'full' mark from new. Could be a bad PDI check. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I will tell the lady tomorrow to keep an eye on it. I know she doesn't do many miles. I work with her husband also, he is away with work but i'll tell him to keep an eye on it and to buy some oil just incase when he comes back.

Thanks for all the replies guys  Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Does she not look under bonnet and check things like oil , fluid ,levels at least once a week
or before a journey or failing that... get a partner to check,

even Mrs M knows where to put oil and windscreen fluid and when to check the oil ,
(when its raining or snowing and I am shouting instructions from the door ...!!)

 Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

My Freelie is typical of those who don't think about checks. The previous TV Celebrity who owned my car not only ran it out of oil he kept on driving without oil.
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I got a bargain when bought. The big end shells had lost all their white metal AND spun inside each other AND were showing heat blueing from the friction temperature.
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And all for the sake of opening the bonnet and buying some top up oil.
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I am sure that the Lady in question is one of many many in the crowd who don't know what bills they might incurr.
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My Freely now has another year under the belt with a replacement engine.
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Kind regards from Fred
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