Oil usage / regular checks - 07MY Vantage

Oil usage / regular checks - 07MY Vantage

Author
Discussion

krisdelta

Original Poster:

4,566 posts

202 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Hello folks,

8 months into ownership and halfway through a 1400 mile driving break to Scotland and I've been religiously checking the oil every second tank of fuel since last December - but not sure why! It hasn't used a drop in 5k miles! What led to this being included in the handbook?

I thought perhaps this roadtrip would highlight a little oil usage with running for hours on end at speed - but nothing. Is this the same for most cars?

Thanks!

Kris

v8woollie

4,363 posts

146 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
I thnk most high performance car handbooks recommend regular oil checks. For the sake of five minutes and a top-up if needed you could save thousands in engine repair bills.

The Audi S4 had a nice warning symbol that came up when the oil dropped to halfway between the high and low marks on the dipstick. A litre added and all was well again but that top-up was needed every couple of thousand miles. The Audi diesels are also reknowned for using oil at a great rate. If I ignored the warning then I was running the risk of engine damage.

Does the V8V have an engine oil warning light when the level drops? If not the perhaps that is why AM suggest regular checks. You may never use any oil but at least checking confirms or otherwise that that is the case.

krisdelta

Original Poster:

4,566 posts

202 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Simon,

There is certainly an oil pressure light - good call on the "low oil", I guess there isn't - although I would happily trade one of the hyper-sensitive exhaust sensors for a oil level one. smile

I will continue checking (it takes no time as you say) but having done the same on my M3 for over two years, I just expected at least a little oil consumption to mark the occasion at times. I never used a drop in that either - maybe I am too gentle with my cars biggrin

v8woollie

4,363 posts

146 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
On the subject of checking the oil, don't you agree that the cap for the oil reservoir is beautifully machined. The best quality oil reservoir cap I have ever had smile Also, I just sent you a PM on a different matter.

mikey k

13,011 posts

217 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Nope no oil low level light
It is a semi dry sump as well so you do need to circulate the oil (as per manual) before checking it
Both mine have used oil over long runs

BingoBob

1,098 posts

148 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Didn't AM increase the capacity of the "sump" due to the chance of oil starvation on the V12 when the oil level dropped a bit?

Calculator

745 posts

216 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
mikey k said:
Nope no oil low level light
It is a semi dry sump as well so you do need to circulate the oil (as per manual) before checking it
Both mine have used oil over long runs
Hi, how do you circulate the oil before checking the level?

Thanks

Johnfrancis

370 posts

151 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
v8woollie said:
On the subject of checking the oil, don't you agree that the cap for the oil reservoir is beautifully machined. The best quality oil reservoir cap I have ever had smile Also, I just sent you a PM on a different matter.
Absolutely, v12 owners miss out on that!, mine used a bit of oil, but now mileage is around 25,000, it doesn't seem to be using oil anymore!

outofstepuk

1,242 posts

153 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Calculator said:
Hi, how do you circulate the oil before checking the level?

Thanks
run the engine for 30 seconds.

peterr96

2,226 posts

176 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
outofstepuk said:
Calculator said:
Hi, how do you circulate the oil before checking the level?

Thanks
run the engine for 30 seconds.
On level ground (a note especially for Woolie!)

Neil1300R

5,487 posts

179 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Have topped up my V8 a few times. Some use a bit of oil some don't, but still worth checking as by the time you get the low oil pressure light it could well be too late.

For a V8V to check the oil.
Ensure car is on level ground and engine is cold.
Start engine, and run it at 2000-2500rpm for 30 seconds.
Turn off engine.
Wait 30 seconds
Remove dipstick (you're right Woolie, it is lovely!), check oil level. Top up if necessary.
Remember, its a dry sump so you do need to carry out the above procedure to check it correctly. Checking it at a petrol station willl give false readings as it now warmed up, but still better than from cold with no circulation

yvr

313 posts

147 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
BingoBob said:
Didn't AM increase the capacity of the "sump" due to the chance of oil starvation on the V12 when the oil level dropped a bit?
Nope. They replaced the dipstick with a shorter one so it required one more litre to fill.

krisdelta

Original Poster:

4,566 posts

202 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
v8woollie said:
On the subject of checking the oil, don't you agree that the cap for the oil reservoir is beautifully machined. The best quality oil reservoir cap I have ever had smile Also, I just sent you a PM on a different matter.
It is, the cap is beautifully finished, just back from a drive across Skye, replied to your PM smile

v8woollie

4,363 posts

146 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
peterr96 said:
On level ground (a note especially for Woolie!)
roflroflrofl

Murph7355

37,760 posts

257 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Are we going for the most oil checking threads on one forum in a day record, or is July check your oil month and I wasn't notified biggrin

mikey k

13,011 posts

217 months

Friday 20th July 2012
quotequote all
Murph7355 said:
Are we going for the most oil checking threads on one forum in a day record, or is July check your oil month and I wasn't notified biggrin
Probably
Now the Vanquish/310 & V12VR are old news wink