- carefully fill in the oil exactly to the top division;
- after 500 or 1000 km of run, use a measuring device to add oil and determine the consumption per 1000 km.
Part of the oil inevitably burns out during engine operation. Run-in engines consume about 0.2 liters per 1000 km. Oil consumption depends on the following circumstances.
Overflowing oil leads to increased oil consumption, since under the action of crankcase ventilation, the excess enters the engine cylinders.
Low viscosity oil burns faster than high viscosity oil. Seasonal oil in the hot state becomes liquid like water, multigrade oil remains more viscous. This quality, in particular, can reduce oil consumption when traveling long distances.
Engine oil, especially all-weather oil, which remains in the engine for a long time, needs to be changed more often.
An active driving style, in addition to increased fuel consumption, also leads to an increase in oil consumption. This is especially evident when the new engine immediately receives a full load.
During the break-in period, the engine needs more lubrication.
Oil leaks can occur in the following places:
- crankshaft and camshaft gaskets (these places are covered with a casing);
- gaskets on the cylinder head cover;
- cylinder head gasket;
- oil pressure sensor;
- oil filter gasket;
- oil pan gasket;
- rear crankshaft seal (oil appears at the junction of the engine and gearbox);
- in places of wear of engine components, for example, due to defective valve stem seals, too much clearance between the valve stem and the valve guide, incorrectly installed piston rings (if they were replaced), due to a defective or burred cylinder wall.
Frequent checks show that the engine is using little or no oil
During short trips in winter, the oil level may not decrease at all or even increase. A rising oil level means that it contains fuel or condensate. Such an oil noticeably loses its lubricating properties, therefore it is recommended to make regular long trips to «evaporation» condensate. Immediately after them, check the oil level, as it can be significantly reduced as a result of evaporation of fuel or water! For intensive urban use without intermediate long trips, an appropriate oil change interval should be selected. A suitable interval can be determined empirically during the operation of the car.