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Reduce oil level message for second time after routine oil change?

7589 Views 23 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  surenot58
Greetings everyone. Just trying to see if anyone else has run into this issue. I took my 2022 Taos SE in a little over a month ago for an oil change at 9,000 miles. I know recommended service is 10k miles, but I was also getting diagnostics ran for a remote start issue, so I figured I'd get the 10k service and oil change out of the way while I was in. Shortly after the oil change, I received a 'reduce oil level' message. Took it in to the dealer, they said they removed a little bit of oil, and sent me on my way. Fast forward to last week (and about 1500 miles later) I'm getting the same message. I took it on a road trip out of town and got the error message on my way back home. Called the dealer and they kind of shrugged it off, and just said to drop it off when I can, which I can't until this Wednesday. Is this something I should be worried about, since it's the second time it's happened, or should I not stress about it? I've owned two other VWs and I currently also have a '21 Jetta SEL and have never gotten the message before, let alone twice on the same vehicle within a month :(
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Have you checked your oil level?
Yes! I just realized I neglected to mention that. Checked it and it was a little bit over the normal level on the dipstick. I think I’m just more perplexed as to why it was fine for a month and then came back on, especially after the dealership said they removed enough to not trip the sensor.
I used to be a Porsche/Audi/Vw tech and alot of vehicle had electronic level sensors. They are an absolute nightmare. The sensor is so sensitive it’s untrue. You can literally drain the oil and measure the amount. Replace with a digitally metered amount and it will come back wrong. Reads fine. Send customer away and there back a few days later saying it’s wither over or under filled.

I will say as long as they replace like for like which dealers usually do you good. The gauges suck.
I used to be a Porsche/Audi/Vw tech and alot of vehicle had electronic level sensors. They are an absolute nightmare. The sensor is so sensitive it’s untrue. You can literally drain the oil and measure the amount. Replace with a digitally metered amount and it will come back wrong. Reads fine. Send customer away and there back a few days later saying it’s wither over or under filled.

I will say as long as they replace like for like which dealers usually do you good. The gauges suck.
That’s been my general experience with my VWs, that the sensors like to go off if you even LOOK at them wrong. That definitely makes me feel better that you saw that a lot as a tech, and that it sounds like my car is just being a tad bit temperamental!
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I think I'm just going to forgo my free oil changes and DIY w/ the kit here, it's only $65 and I can DIY much easier than having to go 200 miles to the nearest VW dealer and wonder if anything is amiss
I’ll never take my car to a dealer
I think I'm just going to forgo my free oil changes and DIY w/ the kit here, it's only $65 and I can DIY much easier than having to go 200 miles to the nearest VW dealer and wonder if anything is amiss
Me too. I've used ECS Tuning for years, and they've always been a great source for OEM parts. Glad they have a Taos specific oil change kit now.
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sorry, but its dumb to blame it on VW alone.. all vendors are adopting lots of sensors that are not quite ready... when they work we give accolades and when they dont we cry. technical advancements are painful sometimes but this is not limited to VW
I worked as a Porsche VW and Audi tech . That’s my field. Which is why I own only those brands. Just sharing my experience
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I was talking to bladebiter.... My uncle was a top Porsche mechanic for years and know many stories...
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Hm, that sounds annoying. These take 4.55qts. My old Ford Focus also took 4.5qts and I always just dumped in the full 5qts, just a little bit overfilled but not enough to ever be an issue, sounds like that might actually trigger a warning here...
Hm, that sounds annoying. These take 4.55qts. My old Ford Focus also took 4.5qts and I always just dumped in the full 5qts, just a little bit overfilled but not enough to ever be an issue, sounds like that might actually trigger a warning here...
As it should. 😀
Just keep the extra 1/2 qt to top up later if it burns a little bit.
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As it should. 😀
Just keep the extra 1/2 qt to top up later if it burns a little bit.
Burns a little bit? On a 2022 engine? If it is burning any oil let alone 1/2 a quart, that’s not normal…
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As it should. 😀
Just keep the extra 1/2 qt to top up later if it burns a little bit.
You keep the extra 1/2qt so every 10th oil change is free :)
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Burns a little bit? On a 2022 engine? If it is burning any oil let alone 1/2 a quart, that’s not normal…
Perhaps I shld have said "used" rather than "burned".
VW does consider some oil "use" normal, at least in all the ones I've had before.
1/2 quart over 10k miles would not be considered excessive
Yeah, they have the usual bit about oil consumption in the manual.

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There are basically 2 ways oil can leave the engine - from a leak or through the tailpipe. Assuming no leaks (definitely not normal on a new engine!) that leaves a small amount of oil finding its way into the combustion chamber, either by getting past the piston rings or being forced into the intake with crankcase gases as part of the emissions control system. Valve stem seals can also allow oil into the cylinders, though usually only when they get old and worn. So yes, small amounts of oil will get burned - but if you see a blue cloud coming out of the exhaust like a Trabant then you might have a bigger issue! 😀
This is not a VW specific thing. I don't know of any manufacturer that would claim no oil consumption on an ICE. Hence the requirement in the manual for regular checks between oil changes (which would also help identify a leak if one appeared).

Having said all that, I have found modern VWs to be much better at not using oil than older ones. The consumption quoted in the manual is an upper limit and I have never seen oil consumption even close to that in my recent cars.
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A good example of Burning…erm loosing oil is a Nissan GTR. I had to fill that thing up with a quart+ a day when looking after one on track in CA… the back of the car was a mess as well as the people behinds too lol. Perfectly normal according to Nissan 😳

all the VWs I own consume so little, if any
A good example of Burning…erm loosing oil is a Nissan GTR. I had to fill that thing up with a quart+ a day when looking after one on track in CA… the back of the car was a mess as well as the people behinds too lol. Perfectly normal according to Nissan 😳

all the VWs I own consume so little, if any
If they are consuming enough to need a top up before 10k miles something is wrong with the engine.
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