I was just taking a freeway on-ramp in a spirited manner at lunchtime when my oil warning light came on. When I got back to the office I checked my oil and it registered down in the minimum area of the dipstick.<p>Since my scheduled maintenance for the 2.8 is at 7,500 miles (I'm currently at 6,200 miles), I was just wondering what I should do:<p>1. Call up my dealer right away and go in early for my oil change?<p>-or-<p>2. Just add some oil to the engine and go in for my servicing at 7,500 miles?<p>If I just add oil for now, what brand and grade (not synthetics) are my fellow Nor Cal owners running in their 2.8?<p>Any input/advice would be appreciated.<p>Thanks - Rog<p>'99 Silver 2.8QMS

#1 if you check you oil regularly (at least every fill up) and the oil dropped that much.<p>#2 if you've never checked your oil in the 6200 miles you've driven the car. Losing that much oil in that amount of mileage is "within factory specs" as they say.<p>Either way topping off with a 10w-30 should be fine. It's okay to mix grades and you're getting it changed soon anyway.<p>Dave

nt<br>

<br>Roger -- I think I might be paranoid about it, but I check my oil at least once a week. I do it mainly because of the "early oil burning reports" on our A4s that you read on this board. My '99 1.8Tqms has used about 1/3 of a quart in the first 3,000 miles. I'm OK with that small an amount, but I topped it off and am watching it CAREFULLY. You have to be a bit concerned about it when Audi tries to tell you that it's perfectly normal for a car to use a quart per thousand miles. (I think that's bull, assuming normal driving conditions). The thing is, when you drive off the lot in your A4 (especially 2.8, since you aren't getting service till 7,500), they should reinforce with the customer that these cars tend to burn oil during the first few thousand miles so check it once in a while!<p>BDW

My 1.8 needed almost a quart at 4,300 mi. Added Castrol 10w30. Did scheduled change at 5K, holding on full at 6,600. I,m hoping is just used some during break in.<p>I think we may be going the full 5 or 7.5k intervals since this is when they pay for the service. Before, I usually changed every 3k. If you change every 3k vs the longer 7.5k intervals, that is a lot more miles to use some oil.