1/4 quart in 2,000 miles? Significant?

[goldfinger]

Back in October I gave Mobil 1 10W-30 a try on a 6 month interval (less than 3K). I've been checking it regularly because I've heard all of the high mileage consumption stories. 90% of those miles were racked up on "around town" short trips with a couple 100 mile trips in between.

Today I checked and it was about 1/4 of a quart low. When I went 3-4 months / 1,500 miles on Pennzoil 5W-30 the dipstick never showed a change. I checked under the hood and under the car, it's definatly not leaking and it doesn't blow smoke at all. The engine is a 2.4L DOHC (GM) with 83,700 miles.

Is this just normal for a 83,000 mile engine? I'm thinking about going back to Pennzoil 5W-30 and shorter drains or Mobil 1 Drive Clean Plus.

 

[dickwells]

If the oil "use" is substantially equal to or less than 1Qt per oil change interval (OCI) then it is of no significance. Just my view on things, YMMV.

 

[slalom44]

This is not only normal, it is actually pretty good. And it isn't surprising that you'd go through a little more oil after changing brands. You likely cleaned off the buildup on your seals with the Mobil 1 oil, and see this slight increase.

You have nothing to worry about.

 

[DEWFPO]

1 qt in 8,000 miles is **** good! And yes that's significant.

DEWFPO

 

[TC]

I'm with dickwells -- I've used the same rough yardstick. My BMW was using about a quart between 6,000 mi oil changes even when relatively new. I wouldn't be concerned with your oil consumption -- just the opposite, actually.

 

[Al]

Obviously all cars are different. I believe Amsoil used to say that a sound engine should use 1 to 2 oz per 1000 miles. I am not saying that's the yardstick. I'm just stating what I have heard.

I can mention a number of cars that I am familiar with that use about 2 oz per 1K miles. I think the key is the oil use relatively close to what it was when the vehicle was broken in.

 

[goldfinger]

Well that makes me feel a little better. So should I add 1/4 a quart of oil or wait until it's 1/2? I'm considering changing it out within the next 30 days if there happens to be a nice warm day.

 

[JohnnyG]

I wouldn't add anything until the dipstick got down to the add mark or below. At least once I would take a "wait and see" attitude. Wait and see if the oil consumption drops off, unless you were having NO consumption with dino oil.
You will replenish additives by adding that 1/4 or 1/2 quart, but not enough to make a big difference.

 

[harper]

Everyone, OIL consumption is normal for any engine! Excessive oil consumption is a problem (ie >1QT/1000). I have never understood the reasons completely but have owned a few high miles non oil burners and one leased BMW low mile consumer.