TOPPING UP OIL?

[paulsmith]

As a relatively new TVR Chimaera owner, i have been told and read that they go through plenty of oil, how often should i check or top it up?

[roobarb]

Cane it for a year or so. Eventually you'll get this really loud knocking from the engine just before it siezes. At this point you should have checked it the day before.

[V8 Archie]

paulsmith said:

how often should i check

I've heard/read weekly and monthly I think. I guess the general rule is don't run out.

I check about once a month, but I'm only driving at the weekends.

[jj.]

I check mine every week. It depends on how you use it, will depend on how much you will use. Lots of high revs, will use more, similarly lots of low (labouring the engine) will use more, lots of sitting at a certain revs (i.e 3k @ 70mph m/way type use) will use lots. Lots of driving in hot weather will use more, or lots of cold morning starts will also use more…

Basically they all use a fair bit... 1 ltr per 1000 miles is not uncommon...If doing a trackday then check after every session.
jj

[paulsmith]

much appreciated!!!

[shpub]

Every day the car is used....

Several people have gone on long journeys and then wondered by the oil light has come on. Doesn't take long if the oil level is low and the car then does a few hundred miles and it may save a big engine bill.

[ATG]

I started out checking mine every weekend ... both oil and coolant levels. After a while it became pretty obvious that neither level was dropping week on week, so I check less frequently now. Guess your best bet is to check frequently until you're confident that you've got a feel for how the coolant loss and oil consumption behave in your car.

Editted to add, if I'm driving any great distance I'll check the levels as part of the pre-journey general spooning around along with cleaning the windscreen, checking AA card in pocket etc.

>> Edited by ATG on Thursday 28th August 17:20

[buzzsaw]

Mine uses about a litre / 6000 miles! Is this a record?

[big_treacle]

I do a lot of miles so I go through oil at a fair rate. Best bet is just to check it every week, before each big drive and whenever you think 'i wonder how much oil i've got left?'. Just don't get caught out by the drives down the shop for a pint of milk that turn into 150 mile blasts through the country and run out of oil then!
Funny thing tho - checking oil is such an easy task: lift bonnet, check dipstick, add oil if need to, close bonnet. Yet I always end up thinking 'I really should check my oil'... and still not doing it there and then and being slightly worried. Haven't gone below the mark yet but I'm worried my slackness might cause me a big bill one day!

[jj.]

buzzsaw said:

Mine uses about a litre / 6000 miles! Is this a record?

If it was my car it would be, get it bouncing off the limiter, that should bring it in-line with a good majority of them...
jj

[GreenV8S]

One clue the oil is low is that the oil pressure drops at low revs when the engine is hot. When the oil level is low the oil spends less time cooling its heels in the sump so it gets hotter and thinner, hence less oil pressure. You shouldn't rely on this to tell you the oil is low, but recognise the warning sign if it happens.

[mojorider]

Mine is a second car but uses a fair amount of oil. I play with it quite hard so am not suporised, its simple to check so I do it every time the car goes out.

I also keep a litre of oil in the boot just in case I need a top up.

[Incorrigible]

paulsmith said:

As a relatively new TVR Chimaera owner, i have been told and read that they go through plenty of oil, how often should i check or top it up?

Don't forget people use a huge variety of oils in their cars

Thin stuff 0/40 (too thin IMHO, but others swear by it) will need anything up to 1 litre every 1000 miles (from what I've read here, as I said, I don't use it)

I check mine every fortnight or so but it doesn't use any (Millers 10/40 fully synth)

[paulsmith]

APPRECIATE ALL YOUR ADVISE!

[jessica]

so guys where do i get Mobil 1 5W/50 cannot find it anywhere and fed up car in garage today,about to but a bit of 5w/40 in in desperation.......

[k4trv]

jessica said:

so guys where do i get Mobil 1 5W/50 cannot find it anywhere and fed up car in garage today,about to but a bit of 5w/40 in in desperation.......

Get to Halfords, currently Mobil 1 10w/50, £27 instead of £32.

T McM

[Trefor]

buzzsaw said:

Mine uses about a litre / 6000 miles! Is this a record?

Mine is about the same - Max to Min inbetween services. They don't all use lots of oil.

I still check the levels a couple of times a week.

[RobM]

5ltr models will generaly use more as they have wet cylinder liners

[Bob the Planner]

jessica said:

so guys where do i get Mobil 1 5W/50 cannot find it anywhere and fed up car in garage today,about to but a bit of 5w/40 in in desperation.......

French Mobil 1 is still 5/50 and sooooo much cheaper. Next time you are on a booze cruise pick up the oil first (€36 for 4 litres on the way back from LeMans)

[jessica]

what an excuse for a booze run huh!:

I like it..

we due a cruise soon.me be having a 39th soon...

and your only invited if u can bring yer Tivvies and rev the engines..