My car has just done a little over 4000 miles and as it will be doing some work over the weekend I thought I’d check the oil. It was midway between low and full. It took 1 litre to get it back to full.

My previous D3s didn’t use that much in 4000 miles and they are renowned for oil usage.

It’s the first time I’ve topped it up and a bit concerned that its oil usage is excessive. What do you think? A Land Rover owner since 1988

From a 1974 series III to a 12MY XS FL2 with help of a 1995 D1, 1996 D1, 2005 D3, 2007 D3 and a 2009 FL2.

I reckon thats well within what I would expect in the first 4000 miles. Diesels do use oil during the running in period. If its still doing it at 15,000 miles I might be more worried, but in my opinion you have little to be concerned about.

Thanks trg I'll keep an eye on it A Land Rover owner since 1988

From a 1974 series III to a 12MY XS FL2 with help of a 1995 D1, 1996 D1, 2005 D3, 2007 D3 and a 2009 FL2.

Just to confirm trg's comment - when I collected my FL2 from the dealere the salesman warned me to keep an eye on the oil level as the diesel was a known user during its early mileage. Never qualified the typical mileage when oil consumption should improve. Used approx 1litre in 4000 miles.
Pity Ford/Peugot/Citreon when they developed the engine couldn't have designed/ built something with better tolerances that prevents oil burning.The old BMW derived units in FL1s I owned previous to the FL2 I never had to add any oil between changes.

Diesels have always used oil until they bed in, normaly around the 20k mark before they settle down. p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Nothing to worry about. My 08 when new used about 1/2 lit per 800miles reducing to nil consumption by 6000. From 1st service at 14500 miles till 25600 at 2 years old no top up reqd.
My new 10 plate needed 2/3 lit today at 800 miles.
Give away my age, early in my career in motor trade the BMC "A" series engine Morris 1000, Austin A30/35 etc, some would burn oil at 250 miles /pint reducing and leveling out at about 800 per pint until 50000 or so, the increase due to wear, others needed no oil at all when running in but by 20-30000 they needed new pistons or an exchange engine.

Using a little oil early on is good for engine life, check regularly and top up 1/2 litre, dont wait until you need more than 1 litre. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

Ours had a litre in in the first 5000 miles, apparently LR say anything up to 1 litre per 3000 miles is nothing excessive and within tolerances, and that's for the life of the car, not just running in, so I was told. Mine: 2012 Golf GTI Edition 35
Family's: 2009 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Auto, Stornoway

Yorkshire - God's County

What is a typical oil consumption for the TD4 engine? Mine has covered 23,000 miles since new and has used just under 5 ltrs.

All my previous vehicles had petrol engines and used no oil between services.

Any engine consumes a little oil, invariably. But some more than others. And diesels more than petrols.
And during first thousands of miles more than later.
If between services you don't need to add any oil, i.e. the oil level drops just a little - then you can say that you have an engine which don't consumes oil.
It matters a lot, in my oppinion, for oil consumptions, how the engine is ran-in also...
For example, in 12000 miles, from new, I haven't added oil in my engine. The oil dropped on the dipstick only about 4-5 mm. I estimate about half a liter max.
5 liters between services are waaaay to much!

There is also a thread, with the same title, here: http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic5386.html
Maybe somebody will merge them. Let's see who is feeling somebody...

Merged Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis