- Overflowing oil results in high consumption because the crankcase ventilation blows out excess oil.
- Thin oil burns faster than thick oil. Seasonal oil becomes liquid when heated, like water, and consumption increases accordingly. All-weather oil remains more viscous; first of all, those who drive long distances may notice a lower consumption of this oil.
- Multigrade oil that stays in the engine for too long becomes thinner, higher viscosity grade «is lost», respectively, increases the need for topping up.
- A sharp driving style, in addition to increased gas mileage, also increases oil consumption. This is especially noticeable if the new engine is immediately subjected to heavy loads.
- During break-in, the engine needs more lubricant.
- Engine leakage. Check according to the scheme described in the chapter «Engines».
- Defect in the engine; e.g. seal defect (valve stem seal) valve stem, too much clearance between the valve guide and valve seal, piston rings are defective or incorrectly installed during repair, the cylinder wall is damaged due to piston scuffing.
Zero oil consumption is suspect
During winter operation over short distances, it may also be that the oil level between measurements does not decrease at all or even increases. This is absolutely no reason to be happy, because it means that the engine oil is diluted with fuel or condensate. This changing oil is essential «boil» during regular long-distance trips to allow the condensation to evaporate. At the end of the trip, the oil level should be checked, because it will drop significantly due to the evaporation of parts of the gasoline and condensate! For extreme city driving without long distance trips in between, it's better if you change the oil earlier than usual; perhaps already after 3000 km or four months.
In winter, one should reckon with an admixture of gasoline in oil of about 2-3%, and due to the better dosed enrichment of the combustible mixture in our injection engines, when starting a cold engine, less gasoline gets into the oil than in old carburetors.
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