The engine oil is cooled by an air-to-oil cooler, and it sits under the front spoiler, perpendicular to the ground. There is no protection in front of it, so stones thrown up hit it directly. The core of the factory cooler is of tube-and-fin construction, and that structure is sensitive: even a smaller stone can puncture it, and the oil then runs out quickly.

This is not wear but an impact, so the mileage says little here: it is reported from 40 000 kilometres, but it can happen at any time. There is no advance sign: a slow leak does not start, instead the oil pressure warning and the streak of oil under the car come suddenly. At that point you have to stop immediately.

There are two directions for the repair. There is an aftermarket cooler that comes with a removable and replaceable rock guard. The other direction is stronger construction: a bar-and-plate aluminium cooler stands up better to flying gravel, and goes into the same factory location. The suppliers themselves argue that the factory part is easily damaged.