Technical How much oil should I be using?

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Technical How much oil should I be using?

John Cellario

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My two year old from new Fiat 1.6 500x Popstar seems to use about a litre every two months or so.

A guy at the dealers, not a mechanic, seemed to think this was usual though it seems very excessive to me. I drive mostly around town, easy on the gas and do around 10,000 miles a year. Any thoughts, thanks.
 
I have done 15,000 miles in a two year period from new. Only travel twenty five miles a day on side roads.

How many litres of oil does the engine hold in total?

If it says 1 litre per 2,000 miles in the Fiat handbook, does this mean the amount I’m using is normal?
 
I have done 15,000 miles in a two year period from new. Only travel twenty five miles a day on side roads.

How many litres of oil does the engine hold in total?

If it says 1 litre per 2,000 miles in the Fiat handbook, does this mean the amount I’m using is normal?

No,
15,000 miles / 24 months is 625 miles per month average (25 days at 25 miles per day so reasonable).
1 litre per 2000 miles is 0.5ml per mile.
625 x 5ml = 0.312 litre per month so you are using two to three times the quoted limit (I could not find a reference for max oil consumption)
Is they any sign of oil leaks like spots on parking space or blue smoke from exhaust?

Robert G8RPI.
 
No,
15,000 miles / 24 months is 625 miles per month average (25 days at 25 miles per day so reasonable).
1 litre per 2000 miles is 0.5ml per mile.
625 x 5ml = 0.312 litre per month so you are using two to three times the quoted limit (I could not find a reference for max oil consumption)
Is they any sign of oil leaks like spots on parking space or blue smoke from exhaust?

Robert G8RPI.
There’s no sign of blue smoke and I think the engine compartment may have a plastic tray underneath so it’s hard to spot oil leaks.
 
Thanks Robert for doing the calculations. :)

I do not own your motor.. so cannot quote specifics.

But the 'acceptable' oil consumption figures in some of my previous FIATs owner handbooks have been really high. :(

I will try and find some quoted examples on here. :)

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/438623-oil-consumption-1-6-petrol.html?438623=#post4170105

Comparing 'apples to oranges..' ! :(

But the spec for turbo engines is generally higher..


So .. really you need to get the official line on consumption from FIAT.

My experience of the 2 cylinder turbo leads me to belive extra care at 'break.in' is very important.

I read many reports of high consumption before I bought mine.

So treated it accordingly. 45,000 miles now and the level doesnt move between changes. :)

Charlie
 
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Historically Fiat have quoted high oil consumption rates.

From cars I have owned/data before:

Tipo 1.6ie : Spec. Average = 1094 miles per litre of oil (based on 50g/100km & 880g/l)
Tempra 1.8ie : Spec. Average = 608 miles per litre of oil (based on 90g/100km & 880g/l)

Fiat are not really publishing acceptable oil consumption rates for today's cars. You will have to really contact Fiat with a specific question about your vehicles expected/normal/acceptable oil consumption. When they respond then please share the data with the rest of us.

I've checked my 500X eLearn and can find no info on acceptable oil consumption rates.
 
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Those number correcpont to my recollection

Tipo manual stated
Per 100O miles :

1.0 litre ( petrol : atmospheric)

1.5 litre ( diesel : turbocharged)

When I "then" enquired through my contacts with Fiat technical the high oil consumption rates were attributed to a DELIBERATE strategy/method to increase upper cylinder lubrication in the NEW absence of leaded fuel.

That was then. Coming back to now then oil consumption (if everything is working well) means that lubricants get to all the parts required (e.g. piston rings and bores). The big question is what is normal/acceptable.
 
I have no figure for the 1.6 etorq engine but can offer the following for the 1.4 Multiair:

0000,000 Oil Replaced - Selenia Digitek Pure Energy - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2 - from factory

00x,xxx Oil top up - n.nn ltr (0000) - Selenia Digitek - First reference point
yyyym/n.nnl = zzzzm/l => qq.q% of spec.

006,802 Oil Replaced - Selenia Digitek Pure Energy - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
011,612 Oil Replaced - Selenia Digitek Pure Energy - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
014,697 Oil top up - 0.25 ltr (3085) - Selenia Digitek - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
017,375 Oil Replaced - Selenia Digitek Pure Energy - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
020,415 Oil top up - 0.25 ltr (3040) - Selenia Digitek - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2
021,067 Oil top up - 0.25 ltr (0652) - Selenia Digitek - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2

Have just done over 2500 miles towing in Europe and as yet no top up required but will be due soon?
 
This seems like a hell of a lot, i've driven just over 7K and not had to do anything with oil.
 
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