Back in October, whilst doing all my usual checks before a long drive, I checked the oil. It was showing just over 1/2 on the dip stick so I thought I'd put a drop in to top it up. When I took the cap off
Thought the worst! Looked a bit like the photo's, but not quite as bad. I had a good check around the bay for leaks, started her up to check for smoke or excessive condensation... nothing. I thought about it for a while, and decided it must be just condensation / moisture. My daily commute is only about 15 miles each way, local supermarket is about 10 miles, missus doesn't drive, so frequent trips to town & railway station about a mile away... basically, I mainly do short journeys now, since the missus moved up here (used to do about 800 motorway miles a week before!). Anyway, I cleaned off the muck, topped up the oil and off I went. Checked again once I got where I was going (just over 100 miles) and it was fine. Checked again when I got back home, again, it was fine. Checked a few times since, still looking good
Basically, if you can't see / hear / smell anything obviously wrong, and you mainly do short journeys - go for a long drive, clean out the cobwebs & get her up to temperature for a while
P.S. The beeping coolant thing is very common, as already mentioned. There are ways to get around it... switch off & re-start, scrape the sensor prongs etc. (although I've not heard the WD40 one before
) but a new expansion tank (sensor is part of the tank) costs less than a tenner and fitting is a quick DIY job.
Also, the Seat Specialist where my car is serviced uses Quantum Synta G0ld, I use it for topping up as well. While it may not be the best money can buy, it certainly isn't cheap crap.
P.P.S. Why can't I write G0ld? Comes out as ****
Not a new swear word I haven't caught onto yet is it?!