Fiesta oil level

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figbat

Former slippery scientist
- some new cars can use 1l per 1000 miles.

This is the line most OEMs use when faced with excessive oil use complaints. It’s considered a de facto maximum acceptable usage across the industry.

Of course it is far from acceptable, especially with sensors and filters and catalysts in the exhaust, not to mention spark plugs.

Even though it’s good business for the oil companies, one of which I used to work for, I would still not agree that this is acceptable.
 

tyred

Squire
Location
Ireland
I do mine weekly and before a long journey under the "old pilots, bold pilots" principle.

It never ceases to amaze me the effort folk go to when getting in hock to buy a car they cant afford, and then having acquired the second most expensive asset after their house proceed to neglect even basic checks that could save them a fortune in repairs.

My sister seized a low mileage Fiesta (old OHV engine) that had developed a slight leak but she never checked on it. "But I got it serviced last year!"
 

Vapin' Joe

Formerly known as Smokin Joe
I do mine weekly and before a long journey under the "old pilots, bold pilots" principle.

It never ceases to amaze me the effort folk go to when getting in hock to buy a car they cant afford, and then having acquired the second most expensive asset after their house proceed to neglect even basic checks that could save them a fortune in repairs.

In a Cul de Sac of 35 houses I am the only one who ever has the bonnet of their car open. People have got used to it now and regard me as a bit of an eccentric, but when I first moved here every time I was checking the levels I'd invariably be asked if I'd broken down. I used to be regarded by many as the local car expert because I changed the oil myself.
 
Alot of modern cars have an oil level sensor and Mercedes has even gone as far as to remove the dipstick in some models; much to our amusement/fustration when trying to find it!
 

tyred

Squire
Location
Ireland
In a Cul de Sac of 35 houses I am the only one who ever has the bonnet of their car open. People have got used to it now and regard me as a bit of an eccentric, but when I first moved here every time I was checking the levels I'd invariably be asked if I'd broken down. I used to be regarded by many as the local car expert because I changed the oil myself.

In my flat, I decided I would replace the brake pads on my 205 as they were due a change so I did it in the carpark outside rather than bother taking it home to my parents. What I found was that I attracted a few know-it-alls who were happy to stand watching me and telling me how to do it!
 

Vapin' Joe

Formerly known as Smokin Joe
Alot of modern cars have an oil level sensor and Mercedes has even gone as far as to remove the dipstick in some models; much to our amusement/fustration when trying to find it!

I'm not keen on that for two reasons;

1/ Replacing a simple device that never goes wrong with an expensive piece of electrical trickery is never a good idea.

2/ Opening the bonnet at regularly can catch leaks and other problems before they get serious.
 

ActionMan76

Member
To be fair any car from about 2000 should not need anything doing to it between services ... Other than topping up washer fluid, but them some people don't even do that....You can generally relay on the warning lights to let you know ... cos 90% of people never open the bonnet, some don't know how to, and some don't even have the space to...with all the street parking there is.

However if you are also not having a 12monthy service, which also checks all yer warning lights are working, then all bets are off.

I did read a statistic that said 75% of all cars are on a finance deal... And if you read some of them they come with a service level agreement, so owners have got used to not doing anything. But as I've never had a new vehicle, I have found that a relaible local service garage is rather handy and once you are over 200,000 miles then usually time for a replacement, cos the basic fabric of the car is wearing out.
 
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