Car Oil help needed

[StevePil]

Hi All

I have a VW Passat 1.9 TDI, general question around oil, I have had the car 2 months and done apprx 850, a lot of town driving, i have been told to check the oil frequently, more so that its a diesel an dnot a petrol.

I checked 2 weeks ago and it was fine, checked again today and it seems to have gone down quite a bit in 2 weeks, it now sits 1/2 way down the pattern on the dip stick, and its quite faint. I checked this when the engine had only been off for about 5 mins, not sure if this would make a difference.

There is no sign of any oil loss, and I dont want to top up as was using a torch on the dip stick and it was warm so it may be my eyes, just want some advice how often should top up on diesel as i also know you can cause more damage by overfilling

I spoke to a friend who has a VW and he said not to worry as there is 2 lights on these cars, 1 for oil pressure and the other for oil level and if it drops to min level it will go on and you just pull over and top up.

Is this safe, just need some advice, never driven a diesel before so dont want to cause any damage by topping up to much or vice versa, and if I do need to top up, is the level ive stated above normal, and if its half way on marker how much oil will this have lost, i work it out if it holds 4 ltrs (i think) and its 1/2 way does this mean it needs 2 ltrs?

Any help be great

Thanks
Steve

[pug100]

Hi Steve,
For checking oil level you should do it whilst the engine is cold and the car is on flat ground not inclined . Checking it after the engine has been running (even 5 mins later) means that the oil is still dispersed throughout the engine and you won't get a correct reading. Try it first thing in the morning. Modern cars don't lose that much oil (unless it's a real clunker) so you should check once a week until you get familiar with the car.

[StevePil]

Thanks for the advice, will check it first thing in morning then, it will be lighter then aswell :)
If it is low, does the above details sound like its lost too much?
thanks

[Melliexr]

Is this a new/nearly new car? New VW's are famous for drinking more oil than fuel until the engine beds in, which takes a long time due to VW's policy of using longlife synthetic oil from new. The difference between top and bottom markers on the dipstick is usually about a litre. Check it regularly and keep it topped up to around the top marker. It'll probably drink lots until about 10,000 miles then should be OK.

[StevePil]

Thanks, its 2002 model
did check it in the AM and it was fine, must have been engine warm, will check it frequently.
do have a question, if driving and the oil light comes on, you would obviously stop to top up, how do you know how much to put in as if the engine is warm, the oil will not all be in the oil tank, so if toppe dit up to full mark on dipstick, surely when engine goes cold there will be too much oil?
not sure if that makes sense, but can anyone advise, I assume best to do is top up with 1 ltr if light comes on and then reassess when cold?
thanks

[bentaxle]

Steve
Driving a turbo around town is ok if you take it out now and again on a main road and give a good run I didn't and my turbo carboned up and destroyed the engine in a garage whilst having an mot ,(It was a golf by the way)