My friend has a 2006 Kia Spectra that gets the oil changed out every 5,000 miles with Pennzoil Platinum since that is what the oil change place has been using. While changing out the transmission fluid I pulled the engine dipstick and to my surprise the oil level was well below the low mark. This oil had been changed out at the absolute most maybe 2 months ago, and this car mostly sees short trips back and forth to work. The engine has right at 100,000 miles and runs great. Out of curiosity I pulled the pcv valve and cleaned it, but is wasn't dirty or sticking, and there was barely any oily residue in the vent line. The air filter is pretty clean and there is no smoke coming from the engine. I considered using a heavier weight oil than the recommended 5w-20, but this engine has variable valve train timing, so I sure don't want to throw off the computer with a heavier weight oil. Does the pennzoil platinum have a reputation of burning off? Or is it just cause it's a synthetic that the oil keeps disappearing? I don't visit this friend often, so checking it regularly isn't the best option. I may try a synthetic blend since the engine had been running synthetic since day one, but need opinions.
can't keep Pennzoil Platinum in engine
- Thread starter mech_tech
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How much oil is the vehicle (in QTs) per 1000 or 5000 miles? Hard to determine from your post.
I had to add 2 quarts, the capacity is roughly 4.5 quarts with filter, it has been about 4,000 miles since the oil was changed. Keep in mind most travel time in this vehicle is 5 minutes down the road, so not a whole lot of running time.
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I just had similar issue with our forester when switching to PP.
Looked OK for a couple weeks then BANG! down 3/4 qt in one week.
I don't like how the 'natural gas" oil feels in situ. Tried this stuff three times in 3 cars; now Im not going to run it again.
Then again the engine may be disassembling itself and giving the oil a bad rep.
Looked OK for a couple weeks then BANG! down 3/4 qt in one week.
I don't like how the 'natural gas" oil feels in situ. Tried this stuff three times in 3 cars; now Im not going to run it again.
Then again the engine may be disassembling itself and giving the oil a bad rep.
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Originally Posted By: mech_tech
This oil had been changed out at the absolute most maybe 2 months ago, and this car mostly sees short trips back and forth to work.
Originally Posted By: mech_tech
I had to add 2 quarts, the capacity is roughly 4.5 quarts with filter, it has been about 4,000 miles since the oil was changed. Keep in mind most travel time in this vehicle is 5 minutes down the road, so not a whole lot of running time.
2000+ miles a month isn't from driving 5miles down the road daily that would be 24000miles a year your numbers dont add up.
I'd say its a 10year kia spectra and its probably using oil.
for some reason.. perhaps it was run low on oil.
You might try switching to valvoline maxlife(syn) to see if it decreases oil consumption.
Also, esp. on lower oil capacity cars once you are down a quart it will accelerate oil usage.
This oil had been changed out at the absolute most maybe 2 months ago, and this car mostly sees short trips back and forth to work.
Originally Posted By: mech_tech
I had to add 2 quarts, the capacity is roughly 4.5 quarts with filter, it has been about 4,000 miles since the oil was changed. Keep in mind most travel time in this vehicle is 5 minutes down the road, so not a whole lot of running time.
2000+ miles a month isn't from driving 5miles down the road daily that would be 24000miles a year your numbers dont add up.
I'd say its a 10year kia spectra and its probably using oil.
for some reason.. perhaps it was run low on oil.
You might try switching to valvoline maxlife(syn) to see if it decreases oil consumption.
Also, esp. on lower oil capacity cars once you are down a quart it will accelerate oil usage.
2 months and 4000 miles of short trips? That sounds like a lot of short trips. 2000 miles to a quart isn't awful in my opinion. Are you positive that the oil change place filled it full??
Yes, this car does see a lot of back and forth trips to work and back home, lunch time included, grocery stores, etc...so for MOST trips the engine doesn't really stay at operating temperature long before getting parked somewhere for an hour or more. I am not sure that the oil was filled exactly full when it was last serviced, which is yet another reason why I am now doing the services myself. My friend said it was full after getting it changed, but you know how that goes. Just want to make sure I am not overlooking something else.
then again it's a kia, and not your kia, and maybe it ALWAYS has been consuming oil regardless of the pennzoil.
Need to have more data points, which it seems is more trouble than it's worth to gather.
Most Oil change places have a free top-offs so if they are getting it changed at an oil change place, have them go check and go back at 1month's time to top off (unless you think they'll get ripped off or upsold, or it's a time hassle).
Need to have more data points, which it seems is more trouble than it's worth to gather.
Most Oil change places have a free top-offs so if they are getting it changed at an oil change place, have them go check and go back at 1month's time to top off (unless you think they'll get ripped off or upsold, or it's a time hassle).
A little heavier oil shouldn't impact the VVT. I'd try a 5w30, that engine is burning oil unless there is a leak somewhere.
How do you know the last quickie lube tech filled the crankcase to the proper level?
I am experiencing a similar thing with my 2006 2.2 liter GM car. I do not know, but I suspect the synthetic oil slips past the slightly worn valve seals easier than conventional oil. With the engine hot, shut it down and wait 10 minutes, on start up and acceleration look for a little blue smoke. This would indicate a valve guide seal problem.
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
A little heavier oil shouldn't impact the VVT. I'd try a 5w30, that engine is burning oil unless there is a leak somewhere.
I agree. Op you can give PP 5W30 a try, or even a 50/50 mix with PP 5W20.
A little heavier oil shouldn't impact the VVT. I'd try a 5w30, that engine is burning oil unless there is a leak somewhere.
I agree. Op you can give PP 5W30 a try, or even a 50/50 mix with PP 5W20.
Originally Posted By: WobblyElvis
I am experiencing a similar thing with my 2006 2.2 liter GM car. I do not know, but I suspect the synthetic oil slips past the slightly worn valve seals easier than conventional oil. With the engine hot, shut it down and wait 10 minutes, on start up and acceleration look for a little blue smoke. This would indicate a valve guide seal problem.
I would wait overnight.
I am experiencing a similar thing with my 2006 2.2 liter GM car. I do not know, but I suspect the synthetic oil slips past the slightly worn valve seals easier than conventional oil. With the engine hot, shut it down and wait 10 minutes, on start up and acceleration look for a little blue smoke. This would indicate a valve guide seal problem.
I would wait overnight.
We're using 5w40 magnatec in these engines, that'sa >3.5 HTHS oil..
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I do not think its related to PP.
An engine with a cat in good shape can burn a lot of oil before it shown up as smoke from the tailpipe. Valve seals come to mind.
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
An engine with a cat in good shape can burn a lot of oil before it shown up as smoke from the tailpipe. Valve seals come to mind.
That will show up on start-up.
An engine with a cat in good shape can burn a lot of oil before it shown up as smoke from the tailpipe. Valve seals come to mind.
That will show up on start-up.
We don't even really know if it was filled to the full line, when the oil was changed, do we?
If your friend wont check the oil, just have them get a conventional oil change every 3K miles instead of the synthetic change they are doing every 5K now.
Exactly, why waste the "syn" money on a motor that is using oil...
Switch up to 5w30 and see if it slows down. It still won't affect the VVT system...
Switch up to 5w30 and see if it slows down. It still won't affect the VVT system...
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