Does the Lavida consume engine oil excessively?
2 Answers
Volkswagen Lavida does not have excessive engine oil consumption. Oil consumption and burning engine oil are two distinct concepts: 1. Oil consumption: This refers to the inevitable phenomenon where a portion of the engine oil, which lubricates the pistons during combustion chamber operation, adheres to the cylinder walls and gets burned. As driving time accumulates, the oil level will naturally decrease accordingly, which is considered normal oil consumption. 2. Burning engine oil: This occurs when engine oil enters the combustion chamber and participates in combustion along with the air-fuel mixture. Signs of burning engine oil include blue smoke from the exhaust pipe, noticeable lack of power during acceleration, or checking the oil dipstick - as long as the oil level remains between the maximum and minimum marks between maintenance intervals, it is normal.
I previously drove a 2015 Lavida, and after reaching 100,000 kilometers, I noticed the engine oil consumption became unusually fast. Within just a few months after each maintenance, the low oil warning would pop up. This could be due to wear in engine components like aging piston rings or damaged seals, causing oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn off. There have been isolated reports of this issue with the older 1.4T engines in Volkswagen Lavidas, but it improved significantly in later model upgrades. As an owner, I recommend regularly checking the oil dipstick to ensure proper oil levels and using the manufacturer-recommended engine oil to mitigate this issue. If it feels troublesome, consider visiting a 4S shop for a comprehensive diagnosis—they can identify the root cause and provide solutions, as safety always comes first.
