Losing Oil '00 Beetle
 

My wife and I just bough a Beetle at the end of July. I changed the oil immediately (Mobile 1 5W-30) and a few weeks ago, after about 3000 miles heard a clicking while running down the highway. The clicking increased with engine RPMs. I decided to check the oil and to my surprise, it wasn't even on the dipstick! I panicked, added a quart and still it didn't even show. It was time to change the oil, so I did and made sure it was up to about the top of the operating zone...two weeks later, it was in the middle of the operating zone, and this week, at the bottom of the zone.

Question is, obviously, where could the oil be going? There is no leak and no REAL signs of it being used (i.e. when you first start the car after sitting, there is no tell-tale sign puff of white smoke as if it's leaking past the valve guides into the piston chamber to be immediately burned once started or while running.

Car has 84,000 miles on it.

THanks

RE: Losing Oil '00 Beetle
 

Relax. The beetle does burn oil. When I first bought our 2002 used with 40K miles I noticed oil useage. It was under warranty and I immediately contacted VW. The service manager admitted that the beetle does use oil but that they have *never* covered any warranty work (new piston rings, rebuilt engine) for the issue. As I'm sure you may be aware ,most manufacturers have oil consumption limits. Some are 1 QT/ 1000 miles. Although I dont agree with this considering my other cars don't burn oil, thats the way it is. Keep your eye on the oil level. Very common issue on the Beetle