Oil Usuage
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Oil Usuage
I driving a 2000 Chevy Impala (3.8 Liter) with approximately 66,000 miles. I seem to be burning about a quart of oil between my oil changes. The Chevy dealer says that this is normal and nothing to worry about. Does anybody else have any ideas on this.
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From: So Cal
Some manufacturers consider 1 qt every 1,000 miles within reason. Most of us figure 1 qt every 3,000 more reasonable. I typically get 1 qt between changes of 5,000 or 7,500 depending on which car I am talking about. I use syn usually 5W30.
I consider 1qt every 1,000 as a sign of a leak somewhere.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I consider 1qt every 1,000 as a sign of a leak somewhere.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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I using 10w30 Castrol oil. Not exactly sure of the number of miles between the last oil change and when I notice the oil a quart low, but I have the oil changed about every 5000 miles. I might try switching to the 5w30 oil and see what happens.
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From: Chattanooga, TN
Originally Posted by hareone54
I using 10w30 Castrol oil. Not exactly sure of the number of miles between the last oil change and when I notice the oil a quart low, but I have the oil changed about every 5000 miles. I might try switching to the 5w30 oil and see what happens.
3.8 GM engines are prone to a qt. every 3500-4000. Some don't use any oil, but it is typical for the majority to do exactly what you are experiencing.
Something about the type/brand/size of the rings. I read this a few months ago in one of GM's older TSBs.
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From: Running Springs CA
I can't believe the unreasonable expectation among many car owners today that an engine should consume no oil between changes. One or even two quarts in a 5000 mile drain interval is NORMAL. Yes, there are some GM, and Nissan, and probably others that use "low tension" rings for decreased friction. Unless they screw up, like the Altima four cylinder that burns a quart in as little as 700 miles, dont worry.
Dad's old flathead Ford V-8 used a quart every 500, and that was considered good in its day. I have to add a quart of straight 50 to the Cessna every 10 operating hours, no big deal.
Jim
Dad's old flathead Ford V-8 used a quart every 500, and that was considered good in its day. I have to add a quart of straight 50 to the Cessna every 10 operating hours, no big deal.
Jim
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: central ohio
i had a '99 pontiac montana with the 3.4 V6 that went through a quart every 600 miles, with no visable leaks or exhaust smoke. it had other issues as well so i parted ways with it. i consider 1 qt per 3,000 miles acceptable. id worry if it didnt use just a little.
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Wow. I guess I've been lucky.
We had an Expedition about 6 years ago (w/ 5.4) that would burn about 1/2 qt in 3000-4000 miles.
I don't recall any other vehicle I have owned in the last 8-10 years burning enough oil to ever have to add make up.
Both my 2000 (10w30) and 2005 (5w20) w/ 4.2 could go 5k with only minimal, if any, drop in level as seen on the dipstick.
At 170,000 miles the 2000 could still go 5000 miles with almost no drop in oil level.
I guess it is a matter of the design parameters and materials used in various engines.
Seems the EPA would have something to say over an engine that by design, burns a quart every 1k miles or so. Would seem that's a lot of extra pollutants into the atmosphere.
But, maybe I'm wrong.
Jim mentioned 1 - 2 qts in 5k miles being "normal" these days.
Is it really?
We had an Expedition about 6 years ago (w/ 5.4) that would burn about 1/2 qt in 3000-4000 miles.
I don't recall any other vehicle I have owned in the last 8-10 years burning enough oil to ever have to add make up.
Both my 2000 (10w30) and 2005 (5w20) w/ 4.2 could go 5k with only minimal, if any, drop in level as seen on the dipstick.
At 170,000 miles the 2000 could still go 5000 miles with almost no drop in oil level.
I guess it is a matter of the design parameters and materials used in various engines.
Seems the EPA would have something to say over an engine that by design, burns a quart every 1k miles or so. Would seem that's a lot of extra pollutants into the atmosphere.
But, maybe I'm wrong.
Jim mentioned 1 - 2 qts in 5k miles being "normal" these days.
Is it really?
Last edited by BrianA; Jul 26, 2006 at 10:42 PM.
Post Fiend
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From: Running Springs CA
For warranty purposes, anything less than a quart in 1000 miles and no manufacturer is going to do anything without a visible external leak. Overall, I was just commenting on the obsession modern owners have on the subject. While todays engines are machined to much finer finishes than in the past so that no break-in period is required, low-friction ring designs and lower viscosity oils are leading to higher than expected consumption in some cases. I think there are some complaints on the V-10 forum.
There also may be gasoline and water contaminants keeping the level up. Toyota owners manuals state that after weeks of short trip driving there may be a sudden drop in oil level if you take a long highway trip. That is due to contaminants boiling off.
Since the amount of phosphorus, sulfur, etc are severely limited in todays oils, burning some, short of producing smoke, is not a pollutant.
Jim
There also may be gasoline and water contaminants keeping the level up. Toyota owners manuals state that after weeks of short trip driving there may be a sudden drop in oil level if you take a long highway trip. That is due to contaminants boiling off.
Since the amount of phosphorus, sulfur, etc are severely limited in todays oils, burning some, short of producing smoke, is not a pollutant.
Jim
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GM has a lot of problems in this area, especially with piston slap. They have been playing with piston design for sometime now to get lighter weight and more economical operation. Oil useage would be a side product of this problem. 
jd
jd
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
I have an Aerostar 3.0 that uses a quart every 1300 miles. Runs great, no blue smoke. I don't worry about it since it is fun to top it up every now and then. OTOH, I like my 4.9 L F150 because it uses virtually no oil in a 5000 mile OCI.
