I topped up the oil on my new Active Eco the other day.I was surprised to see it was only at a quarter.Yes I know I should have checked the oil level before but im afraid I had blind faith in the dealers to make sure it was full on the PDI.Anyway its now topped up to just over 3 quarters and I will be keeping an eye on it.I was just wondering if its normal for a new engine (just done 500 miles) to use quite a bit of oil while running in?

Pandemonium said:

I topped up the oil on my new Active Eco the other day.I was surprised to see it was only at a quarter.Yes I know I should have checked the oil level before but im afraid I had blind faith in the dealers to make sure it was full on the PDI.Anyway its now topped up to just over 3 quarters and I will be keeping an eye on it.I was just wondering if its normal for a new engine (just done 500 miles) to use quite a bit of oil while running in?

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No. (Different engines but my wife's MJ used about half a litre in its first 12 months/13,000 miles and my 100HP used just under a litre in its first 10,000.) And why haven't you filled it to the top mark on the dipstick? It's easier to check for a drop in level that way - probably doesn't matter with modern oils but in general the more oil the better, will be slightly cooler and any contaminants will be more diluted.

babbo umbro said:

No. (Different engines but my wife's MJ used about half a litre in its first 12 months/13,000 miles and my 100HP used just under a litre in its first 10,000.) And why haven't you filled it to the top mark on the dipstick? It's easier to check for a drop in level that way - probably doesn't matter with modern oils but in general the more oil the better, will be slightly cooler and any contaminants will be more diluted.

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Actually new engines do use oil, this decreases in time and miles.

The more oil the better...? Presumably you mean that up to Max level...

Over filling, particularly if you happen to have a turbo-diesel can be disastrous!

our 1.2 was full on delivery and hasn't used a drop in 3500 miles.

SurreyAlan said:

our 1.2 was full on delivery and hasn't used a drop in 3500 miles.

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My 1.9 MJet was the same, still uses little oil after 56,700 miles, modern engineering techniques have reduced or removed the need for "running in" but exceptions do occur, however, it is generally accepted that new engines will use more oil until bedded in and self sealed with gummy deposits etc, normally after a few thousand miles.

TBH oil should just be checked weekly anyway regardless of age or mileage...

I filled it up to just over 3 quarters full.Its easier to leave it just under than over do it put too much in.I cant check it home as I live on a hill so I wouldnt get an acurate reading.I can only check it at work and I only get 30 minutes dinner break.They are on you like lightning if you are outside doing something other than work.When I filled it upto to just over 3 quarters I didnt leave it too long to settle.So I reckon it would be upto to just under full when it had settled.I will check it today and put in a little more if need be.

I have just popped out during my dinner break and the oil is at max.I couldnt have got it any closer if I tried.Im no mechanic but im no noob either.I have been servicing my own cars for years.

Pandemonium said:

I have just popped out during my dinner break and the oil is at max.I couldnt have got it any closer if I tried.Im no mechanic but im no noob either.I have been servicing my own cars for years.

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Keep checking once a week, that habit will help you spot problems, not just oil either, include coolant and brake fluid in the checks, the sooner you spot something the cheaper any fix usually is and breakdowns are avoided!

Ffoxy said:

Keep checking once a week, that habit will help you spot problems, not just oil either, include coolant and brake fluid in the checks, the sooner you spot something the cheaper any fix usually is and breakdowns are avoided!

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I generally check the levels every week or at most every fortnight.The rest of the fluids are spot on and at max.I know I should have checked the oil striaght away and not just trusted in the dealers PDI inspection.I will keep on eye it but at the moment I cant spot any oil leaks on the engine or dripping underneath.Its probably just another case of cutting corners and costs.