Oil Consumption

[Black Ice]

I'm interested in hearing about other peoples experiences in regard to oil consumption.

According to the dash display, when I collected my car (with just over 1000 miles on the clock) the oil level was at 5.6 litres. It recently dropped to 5.5 litres (the car had covered just over 300 miles in that time) and was still showing as ok, but I topped it up to 5.9 litres. Having covered less than 100 miles at the weekend (mostly motorway but I did manage a bit of B-road fun), it's back down to 5.6 litres which is slightly alarming....

I would expect a highly boosted engine to use some oil, however 300ml in less than 100 miles seems a lot (there's no visible smoke or anything just to be clear!). How much oil are you guys getting through?

 

[ManuelB]

Hey, just to share — I’ve had exactly the same experience with my Emira i4 (M139 engine).

The oil level reading on the dash isn’t 100% reliable, especially when you're looking at small differences like 200–300ml. It can fluctuate depending on oil temperature, how level the car is, and whether the engine has had time to settle after driving.

In my case, I saw a similar drop — from 5.9L to 5.6L and then back to 5.9L — after some motorway km's. At first it seemed worrying, but after checking again cold vs. warm, it looked perfectly normal.

Based on my experience with this same engine in Mercedes-AMG models, a small amount of oil consumption is expected, especially under harder driving. But unless you’re topping up constantly, this kind of variation is typically within the normal range for the M139.

 

[harleyujoe]

No sensor is never going to be as accurate as a dip stick ever was...
To many variables to always be accurate...
I know myself I would give anything to have a visual oil level over sensor metering..
I know with 3oo miles I added 1/2 quart and it has been fine..
Even a level glass would be nice to see oil level ..
It is the times we live in and engineers lack common sense today...

 

[ManuelB]

No sensor is never going to be as accurate as a dip stick ever was...
To many variables to always be accurate...
I know myself I would give anything to have a visual oil level over sensor metering..
I know with 3oo miles I added 1/2 quart and it has been fine..
Even a level glass would be nice to see oil level ..
It is the times we live in and engineers lack common sense today...

Totally agree!
Nothing beats the simplicity and reliability of an old dipstick. A little sight glass or dipstick backup would make so much sense… but like you said, common sense isn’t that common anymore.

 

[Black Ice]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I took the car out for a short drive last night, and by the end the oil level had mysteriously increased to 6.0 litres.... As suggested, I think it can be put down to the display being inaccurate which is actually reassuring!

I completely agree regarding the lack of a traditional dipstick. I'm quite fastidious about these things and do my own oil changes (and servicing on some cars), so relying on a computer is going to take some getting used to!

 

[MapleOreo]

I've just noticed this as well.
Seems like its burning a lot of oil in a short amount of time. (Pending the accuracy of the digital reading)
I know they say a little is to be expected, as they say it is in my AMG GT as well. Although I find it to be very low in that car.
I will keep an eye on the Lotus after first service when it gets some good oil and see how it is.

 

[Black Ice]

I've just noticed this as well.
Seems like its burning a lot of oil in a short amount of time. (Pending the accuracy of the digital reading)
I know they say a little is to be expected, as they say it is in my AMG GT as well. Although I find it to be very low in that car.
I will keep an eye on the Lotus after first service when it gets some good oil and see how it is.

I think it's a case of having to keep an eye on it, as clearly it can go up as well as down. Fluctuations between minimum and maximum seem to be normal behaviour; if it's only going down and/or drops below minimum then I'll be concerned!

 

[JonHEmiraT]

Had the same following first service, you have to take the car out for an extended drive for the sensor to recalibrate. The uk dealer was not told that it had to be more than 30minutes. Hope that helps

 

[Black Ice]

Had the same following first service, you have to take the car out for an extended drive for the sensor to recalibrate. The uk dealer was not told that it had to be more than 30minutes. Hope that helps

Interesting, thanks. The only thing I’d say is that when I topped mine up, it picked up the extra 300ml after a couple of minutes idling on the drive. It’s maybe different if you actually change the oil though and the system needs to completely recalibrate.

 

[Eagle7]

I did my own oil change after the 1,000 mile break-in which was back in June of last year (I've had my car one year now this month!). I just checked it, and it's exactly at the full mark just like it was then. It hasn't burned any oil at all.