
Passat may also experience engine oil burning. Here are three main ways engine oil is consumed: 1. The gap between the intake and exhaust valve stems and the valve guides. A small amount of oil must pass through the valve seals to prevent the valves from sticking in the valve guides. 2. The gap between the pistons and the cylinder walls. The piston rings carry residual lubricating oil film on the cylinder walls into the combustion chamber during the upward stroke. 3. Mist-like oil particles enter the combustion chamber through the crankcase forced ventilation system. 4. Additional information: Engine oil consumption occurs as long as the engine is running; burning engine oil is a common phenomenon.

As a long-time owner of a 2016 Passat, I've suffered greatly from the oil consumption issue over five years of driving. At first, it wasn't noticeable, but after 10,000 kilometers, the oil consumption became evident - the dipstick would hit the low mark every 1,000-2,000 kilometers, forcing me to frequently top up. Later, my mechanic diagnosed it as worn piston rings, a design flaw in early EA888 engine models, costing me over 5,000 yuan in parts replacement. Talking with newer Passat owners, they mentioned Volkswagen improved the engine post-2020 models with significantly reduced oil consumption. My advice: when buying used Passats, avoid 2015-2018 models and opt for newer versions. Always check oil levels during regular maintenance - don't repeat my mistake of neglecting it until major repairs were needed.

With twenty years of experience in the automotive industry, working on Volkswagen cars is nothing unusual. Oil burning in Passats is indeed a frequent issue with many older models. The root cause lies in the first-generation design of the EA888 engine, where poor piston sealing leads to oil leakage, affecting combustion efficiency and damaging the engine. Regularly checking oil levels is crucial, and using the right viscosity of engine oil can help reduce consumption. Poor maintenance can exacerbate the problem. The newer Passat models come with an optimized third-generation engine, which has significantly fewer issues. Friends looking to buy a car should prioritize recent models.

Last year, I bought a brand-new Passat, a 2023 model, which has run just over 10,000 kilometers, and the oil consumption is completely normal. Volkswagen has upgraded the engine, and the third-generation EA888 has optimized the sealing system, so I haven't encountered any oil burning issues. Maintenance is also simple, and following the service reminders makes it very hassle-free. Don't be scared off by the older models when choosing a car; the new version has indeed improved a lot, offering a comfortable and fuel-efficient driving experience.


