Ask an expert

My 2011 Sorento uses about 1 litre of engine oil when travelling approx 5000 km.
I asked the dealership about this at the 30,000km service, and they advised me that they had put this matter to Kia NZ previously, and were told that this was normal for a modern common rail diesel engine.
I have owned new diesel vehicles previously with common rail engines, and have never had to add engine oil at any stage, in fact a Toyota dealer told me I should only have to open the bonnet to add windscreen washer fluid.
It does not ring true that a new motor should use engine oil, and I am suspicious of that advice.
What is your opinion

The car manufacturers have specifications for engine oil usage per 1000km and this can be as much as 1 litre per 1000km. Your engine is only using 200ml of oil per 1000km so it should fall well within manufacturer’s specifications and for this reason it will be deemed normal oil usage.

It is not abnormal for modern engines to use engine oil and some modern vehicles have oil level sensors fitted that measures the oil level in the engine when the ignition is initially turned on to indicate to the driver if the oil level needs to be attended to. You should check your engine oil level on a regular basis to ensure that it doesn't fall below the minimum oil level.