http://www.car4play.com/forum Car4play forum en-gb Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:08:14 +0100 Copyright: Car4play webmaster@car4play.com (Technical) 5 car4play688039 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 07:08:14 +0100 Can't remember the last time I've had to top up oil if I'm honest. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688039&v=e car4play688035 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:25:41 +0100 >> All engines use oil. Ever heard of fuel dilution? >> Sorry, John, my Pug 205 seems to 'use' no 10-40 semi-synthetic at all, at 81K miles. I may be as surprised as you, but nearly all its journeys are 40 miles at a time, and there is nothing in its extensive history to show any repair work on the 1.4 engine. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688035&v=e car4play688029 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:28:10 +0100 >> All engines use oil. Ever heard of fuel dilution? Some designs of diesel suffered this and dilution, not just replacing 'lost' oil added volume to the engines oil content. Is it prevalent in petrol engines? Given the temperature at which petrol 'boils off' v oil temp in my Fabia - or any other car - I doubt it. Since cY2K I've had 6 cars. 5 diesel, 1 petrol. Service intervals always 12k or thereabouts or otherwise annual. None have had measurable loss in the sense of dipstick showing oil level dropping. Was 'lost' oil magically replaced by the same quantity of fuel? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688029&v=e car4play688026 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:45:52 +0100 >> Oil, not a ml used over 12k mile changes. (its on 115k)>> All engines use oil. Ever heard of fuel dilution? http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=688026&v=e car4play687894 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:47:20 +0100 >> Was the coolant level checked hot or cold? There will be a procedure in the >> handbook, or separate Min/Max marks for hot and cold levels. Both. When cold and after a fast 30 minute A road trip the coolant has reached slightly higher level. Noticed in Tesco they had Prestone on offer, which supposedly is good for all engines… http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687894&v=e car4play687888 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:22:20 +0100 Was the coolant level checked hot or cold? There will be a procedure in the handbook, or separate Min/Max marks for hot and cold levels. If there's still coolant in the reservoir I'd say you're alright ;-) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687888&v=e car4play687774 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:11:35 +0100 Level seems fine to me, just keep eye on it , if you do top up please use genuine coolant. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687774&v=e car4play687773 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:59:15 +0100 >> PS I haven’t got the manual to hand but I recollect it says any level >> between mid and low marks are OK so you may not have a leak. Yup, plus aside from allowable margins it's called an expansion tank for a reason! http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687773&v=e car4play687768 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:31:00 +0100 PS I haven’t got the manual to hand but I recollect it says any level between mid and low marks are OK so you may not have a leak. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687768&v=e car4play687767 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:28:46 +0100 Our Vitara was losing coolant from the oil cooler gasket. The main dealer couldn’t look at it for a few weeks and I wanted to be sure to top up with the correct coolant as the handbook is very specific and it was under warranty. It cost about £30 premixed for the genuine stuff. One Suzuki parts dept told me “any blue coolant will do”. This is not true and was one of the reasons I now use an indie. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687767&v=e car4play687761 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:44:11 +0100 The blue stuff is standard oe suzuki. So easiest just to get some from suzuki, then no issues with funny colours or incompatability. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687761&v=e car4play687757 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:37:04 +0100 When I first got my Toyota, the coolant was a little below halfway between min and max, I topped it up to max. It promptly dropped to the previous level after a few runs. I did this a few times, before learning. As long as it's above min, I leave it alone. The same for oil level. I expect you'll have a bottle of water with you and if the level does drop below min, just use that to top it up. The dilution won't affect anything and if it is using coolant you'll need to investigate. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687757&v=e car4play687752 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:03:09 +0100 I have two reservoirs. One for Intercooler, one for engine coolant. Intercooler loses about 50ml a year, engine about 150ml a year. Always has done from new, always the same amount. Its a BMW B58 "feature", no-one knows why. Oil, not a ml used over 12k mile changes. (its on 115k) http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687752&v=e car4play687750 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:50:19 +0100 Any oat coolant to the correct specs will do . Dont forget the “max “ line is only about half way up . You don’t fill it up the neck of the reservoir. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687750&v=e car4play687749 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:24:20 +0100 As long as it's the right type then pre-mix v concentrated is a choice for you. I prefer pre-mix as faffing with concentrate is too much effort and needs access to water. If you're using it before leaving for Spain I'd have a good look at the level and ensure it's not losing the stuff either via pipework or an internal gasket type problem. Coolant has a distinctive smell whether escaping as a weep or in the exhaust gas. Current Skoda seems to keep level absolutely stable. The 'lingo would run down until, cold, it was just on or slightly below minimum. Top it up, only took a cupful from min to max, and in a few hundred miles it'd be down again. My Pug 104 of blessed memory c1982-4 had repeat chg issues and the coolant level was up/down fiddlers elbow style. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687749&v=e car4play687747 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:05:53 +0100 2019 Vitara 1.4 Fluid & tyre checks after a few weeks away and noticed the ( blue) coolant reservoir is a third full. I cannot remember the level last time I checked in late Feb, but as my 7 week trip around Spain starts late May it needs topping up. No sign of any obvious leaks, and although a sealed system, I assume some is lost through evaporation. Question is will any coolant do, either pre mixed or concentrated ? Experience tells me that late June it will be warming up, and on a 600km + drive back to Santander or Bilbao i don’t want any mishaps. Last service was August ‘25, same time as MOT and immediately prior to my second annual road trip South in September. http://www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?m=687747&v=e