Motoring

with Doctor Clive FraserFor most of us, that new car smell is more memorable than just about anything else associated with the purchase of a vehicle.

Long after we have forgotten the salesman’s name and how much that new car cost, we can all still remember what the car smelt like when we first climbed inside.

And while we all know about the hazards of glue-sniffing, we are all strangely addicted to those volatile organic compounds leaching out of our car’s interior.

With so many connections between the olfactory bulb and the limbic system, we were probably programmed to remember those smells and perhaps there might even be some survival value for human beings to experience the purchase of a new car.

A much less palatable smell, though, is anything that emanates from the exhaust pipe - and burning oil might top that list.

But an anaesthetist colleague of mine has become a little obsessed with the contents of his exhaust gases as he has discovered that his brand new VW Polo GTI is using one litre of oil every 1,000 kilometres.

While he hasn’t actually seen any smoke coming out of the exhaust, one can only assume that the oil is being combusted as he drives along as it certainly isn’t dripping onto his garage floor.

The VW owner manual reassuringly says that, “oil consumption can be up to 0.5 litre / 1,000 km” and that “engine oil consumption is likely to be higher in the first 5,000 km”.

At 6.1 L/100 km that one litre of oil usage is fairly close to a 60:1 mix, which would keep most two-stroke motors running for a while.

And at $20 per litre for the special VW oil he might find himself spending $300 per year on oil if the consumption continues at its current rate.

Higher oil consumption can become an issue as carmakers strive for engines that have lower friction and use less fuel, and of course the running-in of the vehicle is also a factor at play.

VW recommends that in the first 1,000 kilometres:

• Do not drive faster than three quarters of top speed
• Do not use full throttle
• Avoid high engine speeds
• Do not tow a trailer.

To that list I’d add don’t let the engine labour in too high a gear.

There are also those who advise in the first few kilometres brief applications of full throttle in a high gear to force the rings against the bore walls.

This seems to be a technique preferred in demo vehicles at dealerships, which are always flogged mercilessly on test drives.

So my colleague is paying very close attention to the Polo’s dipstick and the oil warning light, and he has promised to keep us posted about his Polo’s thirst for oil.

To be continued.

VW Polo GTI

Specifications:

1.4 litre twin turbo petrol

132 kW power @ 6,200 rpm

250 Nm torque @ 2,000 rpm

7 speed DSG

0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds

6.1 l/100 km (combined) PULP

$27,790 + ORC (3 door)

$28,990 + ORC (5 door)

For: Hot Euro hatch with GTI DNA.

Against: Oil consumption issues might take the shine off your new Polo GTI.

This car would suit: Anaesthetists because they know how to accurately draw up oily substances into a syringe.

Safe motoring,

Doctor Clive Fraser

doctorclivefraser@hotmail.com