Just got back from our first road trip in our new E350. Started with 2,000 miles on the vehicle, drove 1,300 miles to Florida empty and pulled a 10,000lb camper back to Michigan. My oil level was OK when we left Michigan and was about 1 qt low when we got to Florida. I topped it off before returning to Michigan. Just checked my oil level and I'm about 1 qt low again.
Is this oil usage normal for a new diesel engine? This is my first diesel and I've never had oil usage like that with a gas engine. I'm going to the dealership this week for my first oil change (5,000 miles) and didn't know if I need to mention the oil usage issue or not.

 

I beleive the proper way to check the oil is to wait 30 minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan, check the manual on this, but really if you think about it 1 quart out of 15 is really not much. i'm not saying that these motors don't burn oil at first. it should improve as the motor breaks in and the rings set. Enjoy your stroker

 

You may have already read on this forum that many people only run w/ the oil level mid-way between the low line and the full line. It is not good for these trucks to run over-full on oil (foaming causes problems w/ the injector operation). I would leave it a quart low and see if it drops any more.

Also, after my first oil change (done at the dealership), my truck came back over the full mark. When you change oil, you will probably only need 13.5 to 14 quarts since not ALL the oil drains out .... even when you take the oil fill cap off, take the oil filter cap off, and make sure the oil is hot before draining. I would probably ask the dealership to only add 13.5 qts and then top it off (if you have to).

Easier to add than to drain (unless you have a Fumoto valve).

 

Your useage is about the norm for diesels. Especially going up I-75 thru the mountains.