Do Volkswagen cars still burn oil now?
2 Answers
Volkswagen cars are designed to protect the engine and extend its lifespan by reducing the frictional resistance between the piston rings and the cylinder walls. An oil film forms on the cylinder walls, and part of this oil film is burned off with the high-temperature combustion gases, resulting in higher oil consumption compared to other vehicles. The reasons why Volkswagen cars burn oil: 1. The oil separator often fails, leading to ineffective oil vapor and water separation. Additionally, the plastic strength of the camshaft end cover is insufficient, causing poor sealing between the end cover and the engine block, which results in oil leakage. 2. There is also a design flaw in the pressure valve below the separator, which allows oil to leak. 3. In turbocharged models, oil is required for cooling, and some of this oil evaporates while cooling the turbocharger.
The Volkswagen I'm driving now is an older model from a few years ago, and it does burn some oil from time to time, especially during heavy city traffic when the engine temperature rises, leading to increased oil consumption. My friend's newly purchased Sagitar is much better in this regard. In recent years, Volkswagen has introduced several technical updates to address this issue, such as the optimized piston ring design in the third-generation EA888 engine, which has significantly reduced oil leakage problems. However, if you're driving an older Passat or Golf, it's still important to regularly check the oil dipstick. Periodic replacement of high-quality oil and filters can help slow down consumption. From a maintenance perspective, oil burning isn't unique to Volkswagen; other brands also face similar issues, largely depending on driving habits. Long-distance driving or frequent acceleration can accelerate oil loss. Always pay extra attention during routine maintenance, and don't wait until the warning light comes on to take action—it saves a lot of hassle.
