How much oil in a new car, first few thousand miles

[timhum2002]

Derek

I'm amazed the car even started with a pint of oil in the combustion chambers. Where does the pint of oil come from, surely the only oil available to been drawn into the combustion chambers is that amount covering the cylinder walls? It doesn't get sucked through from the sump does it?

Tim

 

[dereksharpuk]

Well as always I exaggerate. I suspect that you are right of course, though even if the engine did not start, it would pump that oil overboard into the exhaust to be burnt at a later date. Moreover, a huge cloud of oil smoke behind the car can be caused by much less than a pint. However, I'm still convinced of the mechanics technical explanation though would welcome a better one.

I was told it was sucked from the sump!

 

[OK1904]

Back to Jamie's original question, I have covered about 10,000 miles since new 14 months ago and have added about 2.5L in that time, but the rate of consumption has reduced as one would expect. I've probably added about 1.5L in the first 4000 and 1L in the next 6000 miles. Running in wasn't strictly to the book but I was certainly reasonably careful for the first 1000 miles. My average overall mpg is recorded at 23.6 but I have seen trip readings down to 18 and up to 29 for different trips. I expect oil consumption can be related to speed/rev range/acceleration and certainly to age of engine; the variables are enormous so comparisons must be difficult.

I have always aimed to read the oil display cold on a level garage floor before a trip, and 'one bar down' (i.e. not full but one-third down) is a comfort zone for me, and if it drops to the second bar I add just 0.2L to bring it back. Checking occasionally when the engine is hot often shows a full display; could be due to expansion I suppose.

 

[okellyt]

3800 miles first half litre of oil.

I did drive mine fairly hard within the running in limits and on longer journey's

Since run in have fairly caned it at any reasonable opportunity

 

[Chris5150]

Mines totally settled down now...used a litre by 500 miles, got upto 1800 miles now and not used a drop at all, which is a relief!

 

[ROSS 997]

I've had my 997 C2S for two years and six months (54). Apart from putting a litre of oil in it during its first few months and its first service at two years it has only had two extra litres of oil in over 21500 miles and a Track Day at Brands.

Over that time it hasn't missed a beat!