As most motorist know, an engine needs oil for a long and healthy life. However, they tend to worry less about the importance of regular oil level checks. The dreadful question of oil consumption tends to take us by surprise, and usually only arises after the dipstick comes out dry “yet again”. Before we can start to look for the reasons behind the oil loss, it is first necessary to define various terms in more detail. Normally, the term “oil consumption” is always used in a very general sense. However, in the workshop it is necessary to make a distinction between the oil loss and the actual oil consumption. A specialist only uses the term “oil consumtion” to describe the quantity of oil which enters into the combustion chamber where it is then burned or coked. The term “oil loss” is used when the engine is losing oil due to a leak.