The T5 and T6 petrol engines in the Volvo V60 are known for increased oil consumption. This is caused by wear to piston rings and turbo components, especially in the first generation. It regularly leads to frequent oil checks, smoke and in some cases even engine damage. It is a problem many owners recognise, but one that remains manageable with the right knowledge and preventive maintenance.
Common causes of increased oil consumption
The increased oil consumption in T5 and T6 engines has several causes related to the design and load of these powerful petrol engines. The most common causes are:
- Worn piston rings that allow oil to pass into the combustion chamber, especially after 100,000 to 150,000 kilometres
- Defective valve stem seals that cause oil to burn
- Turbocharger wear in T6 engines due to higher thermal load
- Broken oil pump timing belt, particularly in B4 and B5 engines from 2020 and 2021
- Inefficient intercoolers that lead to overheating
The Volvo V60 with T5 engine uses on average 0.5 to 1 litre of oil per 1,000 to 2,000 kilometres, especially in intensive city traffic or with frequent high revs. T6 engines often perform even more problematically. Owners report usage of 1 litre per 1,000 kilometres or more, caused by the combination of turbo and supercharger that creates additional stress.
Recognisable symptoms of oil consumption problems
Recognising increased oil consumption in time prevents more serious engine damage. Watch out for the following signals that indicate oil consumption problems in T5 and T6 engines:
- Oil warning light that regularly comes on between services
- Blue or grey smoke from the exhaust, especially when pulling away or accelerating
- Black deposits around the exhaust pipe
- Need to top up oil between standard service intervals
- Engine performance that drops due to oil loss
In hybrid T6 variants with Twin Engine technology (a combination of petrol engine and electric motor) extra stress occurs due to frequent cold starts. This worsens wear on the piston rings and further increases consumption. Owners report that the level warning system often only reacts at a critically low level, meaning regular manual checks remain necessary.
Differences between T5 and T6 engines
Both engine variants suffer from oil consumption. However, there are important differences in the severity and frequency of the problems.
The T5 engine delivers around 250 bhp and mainly struggles with consumption after a longer running period. Users with a good maintenance schedule often keep consumption limited to 0.8 litre per 2,000 kilometres.
T6 engines, on the other hand, produce 300 to 340 bhp. They combine a turbo with a supercharger (a mechanical compressor that forces air into the engine). This setup creates higher thermal load and faster wear of crucial components. The temperature load on piston rings and seals is significantly higher, resulting in accelerated degradation. T6 variants with AWD drive or plug‑in hybrid configuration show even higher consumption figures.
Practical tips for maintenance and checks
Preventive maintenance prevents costly repairs. It can keep consumption manageable. Follow these concrete tips to stay ahead of problems:
- Check the oil level weekly, especially before long journeys
- Change engine oil every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres instead of the factory recommendation of 40,000 kilometres
- Use Volvo‑approved 0W‑20 or 5W‑30 specification oil
- Let the engine warm up before driving it hard
- Avoid short trips where the engine does not reach operating temperature
The choice of high‑quality engine oil often lowers consumption. Owners who switch to a thicker oil such as 5W‑40 in older engines with higher mileages report a reduction in consumption of 30 to 50 percent. Replace the oil filter at every oil change at the same time to guarantee optimal oil circulation.
‘ Preventive replacement of piston rings after 150,000 kilometres prevents expensive engine damage. ’
Costs of repairs and solutions
The repair costs for oil consumption problems vary greatly. This depends on the cause. The severity of the wear also plays a role.
Replacing worn piston rings costs between 2,000 and 5,000 euros at specialist garages. This price range includes dismantling the engine, replacing piston rings and valve seals, and rebuilding with new gaskets.
For turbocharger replacement on T6 engines you can expect 1,500 to 3,000 euros including labour. A diagnostic check in which the intercooler and oil pump are inspected costs on average 150 euros. This is a sensible investment before you buy a used V60.
Preventive replacement of piston rings after 150,000 kilometres prevents expensive engine damage. This procedure is worth considering for owners who drive a lot. Some garages offer package prices where several wear‑prone components are replaced at the same time, which saves on labour costs.
Points to watch when buying a used V60
Anyone considering buying a used Volvo V60 with a T5 or T6 engine would be wise to pay specific attention to oil consumption. Request the complete service history and check whether the oil has been changed regularly. Cars with frequently performed oil services are significantly less at risk of serious problems.
During the test drive carry out an oil check and ideally measure consumption over 200 kilometres. Consumption above 0.5 litre per 1,000 kilometres indicates existing wear. Inspect the exhaust for black deposits and watch for smoke when accelerating. Be cautious with models from 2020 and 2021 with B4 or B5 engine codes (a newer generation four‑cylinder petrol engine). These have known oil pump problems.
Consider a Volvo Selekt used car with factory warranty that also covers engine problems. This offers financial protection against unexpected repair costs. If in doubt, have a pre‑purchase inspection carried out in which particular attention is paid to compression values and the condition of the oil pump.
Driving style and its effect on oil consumption
The way you drive has a direct impact on the oil consumption of T5 and T6 engines. Aggressive acceleration and consistently high revs increase the thermal load on piston rings and seals. This accelerates wear and significantly increases consumption.
Owners who mainly make short trips see higher consumption due to incomplete combustion and condensation in the engine. The engine does not fully reach operating temperature, which means oil circulates less effectively and degrades more quickly. Plan regular longer trips so the engine can fully reach operating temperature.
With T6 engines with hybrid drive you regularly drive fully electric. This leads to frequent cold starts of the combustion engine. These cold starts increase wear and oil consumption. Therefore also use the hybrid mode in which the engine continues to run so it stays at a constant temperature.
‘ Ninety percent of engine damage is caused by lack of oil. ’
Long‑term reliability and maintenance
The T5 and T6 engines have known oil consumption issues. Yet many V60 owners drive their cars without worries, provided they take maintenance seriously. Engines with 270,000 kilometres on the clock continue to operate reliably when oil is topped up consistently and changed regularly.
The difference lies in the approach. Accept that these powerful engines use more oil than average and organise maintenance accordingly. Keep a bottle of spare engine oil in the car and check the level every 1,000 kilometres. This simple habit prevents most engine problems. Ninety percent of engine damage is caused by lack of oil.
For those prepared to give this extra attention, T5 and T6 engines offer sporty performance and driving pleasure in the reliable Volvo V60 platform. The combination of Swedish comfort and powerful drive remains highly attractive, provided you are realistic about maintenance costs and frequency.
Would you like to know more about maintenance for your specific model year? Then check the complete maintenance schedule for the Volvo V60 on Carnews.
Frequently asked questions
An oil consumption of around 0.5 litre per 1,000–2,000 km is in practice often regarded as “normal” or at least acceptable for T5/T6 engines, certainly at higher mileages and with hard use. If consumption moves towards or above 1 litre per 1,000 km, specialists and owners usually regard this as a problem that requires further investigation (piston rings, valve seals, etc.). If consumption remains stable below that threshold and you top up in good time with the correct oil, it is usually more of a point of attention than an acute defect. In the case of rapidly increasing consumption or smoke/warnings it is advisable to have the engine checked quickly.
Important technical causes are wear and/or carbon build‑up on piston rings and cylinder walls, allowing oil to pass the pistons into the combustion chamber. In addition, aged or hardened valve stem seals that allow oil to enter via the valves. In some engine variants, high thermal load (including due to an inefficient intercooler) and unfavourable long oil‑change intervals also play a role, causing the oil to age faster and consumption to increase.
Use only oil specified by Volvo (viscosity and quality) and change it together with the filter much more frequently than the factory recommendation, for example every 10,000–15,000 km. Check the oil level at least once a month (or at every fuel stop) and top up immediately to almost max so the engine never runs with a low level. Allow the engine to warm up gently, limit short journeys and high loads with a cold engine to reduce thermal wear and oil burning. At higher mileages have the condition of piston rings, valve stem seals and oil pump belt preventively assessed by a specialist.
Indicators include, among other things, oil consumption of (roughly) more than 0.5 litre per 1,000 km, frequent oil warnings on the dashboard, blue/blackish smoke from the exhaust and dirty exhaust pipes. With such consumption, have the engine checked for, among other things, piston rings, valve seals and (in newer blocks) the oil pump belt. Minor interventions such as inspection and replacing gaskets/seals start at roughly a few hundred euros. For serious internal engine damage (pistons/rings, overhaul‑type work), you should reckon with costs in the region of about €2,000 to well over €5,000.
Yes, in particular the first generations of 2.0 four‑cylinder T5/T6 engines in the V60 (roughly from introduction up to around 2018) are more frequently mentioned for increased oil consumption, especially at higher mileages. In the more powerful T6 variants and the plug‑in hybrids (T6/T8) the problem is generally even more pronounced due to the higher thermal load. In addition, early mild‑hybrid variants around 2020–2021 (such as some B4/B5/T5) are notorious for problems with, among other things, the oil pump belt, which makes the lubrication system extra vulnerable. Later, further‑developed generations have, according to users and specialists, on average somewhat fewer complaints, although oil consumption remains relatively common in this engine family.