Burning oil problem?

[Sawdusted]

Guys,
I just took a road trip 2,500 miles round trip driving in 6 days. I did an oil change to PP 5W30 with M1 oil filter the day before the road trip.

After my drive there, I had to top up about 1/3 qt to fill it to the full mark. After I got home, I had to add in about 1/2 qt to bring it back to the full mark.

Engine in question is a 2001 Pathfinder with VQ35DE. 71K on this engine only. Engine was running @ 2,500 RPM for sustained length, 70mph highway approx 10 hrs on 1st and 6th day, 8 hrs on 2nd and 5th day. 3rd and 4th day was intermittent city driving with a fair bit of highway interspersed.

Do you think this is considered normal burning? Sorry I am a little paranoid as I don't remember ever remember having to top up oil between my 3K OCI (usually 8-9 months) but mostly short distance city driving.

 

[mobilaltima]

3.5 Nissan V6s are known to consume oil. try M1 0W40. Walmart 22$ or $24 for a 5 quart jug.

 

[NHGUY]

Some engines are known oil burners,and a spotty early ownership record of maintenance can only make it worse.I dont believe any oil,within reason,can make that much of a difference.Hence why the infamous Lucas,and Motor Honey,and Motor Medic/STPs exist....trying to slow down the consumption until they can be unloaded onto someone else... I know of a number of used car/buy here pay here outfits that buy the stuff in large lots (tranny and PS stuff too)...trying to make that sale...

 

[cancov]

Originally Posted By: mobilaltima
3.5 Nissan V6s are known to consume oil. try M1 0W40. Walmart 22$ or $24 for a 5 quart jug.

Very true, the 3.5 in our '02 Maxima has consumed about a quart of Delvac 15W40 in <2,000 miles. The Delvac is just the top-off. The base oil is from the dealer with their free-oil-for-life that I've been told in Chevron 5W30. I will be pressing them next oil change for 10W40 to curb consumption, hopefully. Oh, our 3.5 has 126,000 miles.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: Sawdusted
After my drive there, I had to top up about 1/3 qt to fill it to the full mark. After I got home, I had to add in about 1/2 qt to bring it back to the full mark.


So this averages out to about 1/3 qt per 1000 miles. What sort of oil consumption do you notice with your regular driving patterns Sawdusted?

I've noticed that some cars do burn noticeably more oil under sustain freeway driving compared with more mundane around town driving. At least you're doing the right thing and topping off regularly.

If the consumption returns back to normal levels once you're back to your normal driving regime then I wouldn't worry about it. If you find you're regularly getting higher oil consumption now then you could consider 40 weight old for that engine. M1 0W40 as mentioned above, or even a 10W40 in summer would be ok.

 

[Kuato]

I've owned more than one vehicle that didn't burn a drop around town, but would use oil when taken on a long highway trip. Doesn't seem like anything to be concerned about.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
I've owned more than one vehicle that didn't burn a drop around town, but would use oil when taken on a long highway trip. Doesn't seem like anything to be concerned about.

Originally Posted By: uart


I've noticed that some cars do burn noticeably more oil under sustain freeway driving compared with more mundane around town driving. At least you're doing the right thing and topping off regularly.

If the consumption returns back to normal levels once you're back to your normal driving regime then I wouldn't worry about it.


Kitacamry is one of those cars...burns a bit more @ sustained long-run highway runs @ higher than 70mph...back to normal around town and on shorter highway runs...

 

[FZ1]

Go back to the oil that didn't burn

 

[aquariuscsm]

How about M1 10W40HM or Maxlife 10W40?