Is there a such thing as normal oil consumption?
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Originally Posted By: jk_636
If you are losing oil during the OCI, then something is wrong.
That's a load of utter nonsense.
All engines will consume some oil. How much depends upon a lot of different factors. But some consumption is normal and perfectly acceptable. A quart every 500 miles isn't acceptable, but a quart every 5000 miles is.
If you are losing oil during the OCI, then something is wrong.
That's a load of utter nonsense.
All engines will consume some oil. How much depends upon a lot of different factors. But some consumption is normal and perfectly acceptable. A quart every 500 miles isn't acceptable, but a quart every 5000 miles is.
I have owned my share of oil burners in my life. My Ranger isn't one of them though. No visible oil loss over a 5k OCI. My last Mustang would burn a quart during the same OCI. I owned an old Buick many years ago that burned a qt every fill up. Most of the 40 vehicles I have owned burned less than a qt between oil changes.
It's normal to burn some oil. That's why you are supposed to check it periodically. I really only need to check mine every 1000 miles in between oil changes.
Oil consumption is normal for any and all engines. The question is how much is normal and how much is abnormal, some engines consume unmeasurable amount in its OCI anywhere from 4-5k miles to 10-15k miles, some engines consume a little more at a rate of 1/2 to 1 quart during those OCI's and some consume oil even more at a much higher rate.
Originally Posted By: jk_636
Originally Posted By: Polarisdude94
That was my initial thought as well, with the oil filter. But he said he put in the full 6 quarts it calls for. And he said he usually used about a half quart to a quart for a 4000-5000 OCI.
What type of vehicle, what engine, how many miles and what type of driving (city, highway, combo etc.)?
You couldn't be more incorrect.
Originally Posted By: Polarisdude94
That was my initial thought as well, with the oil filter. But he said he put in the full 6 quarts it calls for. And he said he usually used about a half quart to a quart for a 4000-5000 OCI.
What type of vehicle, what engine, how many miles and what type of driving (city, highway, combo etc.)?
You couldn't be more incorrect.
Originally Posted By: jk_636
There is no such thing as normal when it comes to burning oil. If you are losing oil during the OCI, then something is wrong.
Yeah, I can't support this statement either. Especially with manufacturers trying to squeeze out every possible MPG... low tension piston rings seem to be finding their way into engines more and more these days.
There is no such thing as normal when it comes to burning oil. If you are losing oil during the OCI, then something is wrong.
Yeah, I can't support this statement either. Especially with manufacturers trying to squeeze out every possible MPG... low tension piston rings seem to be finding their way into engines more and more these days.
My Yaris burns 3/4 of a qt every 5k
My van burns a qt every 2k (chrysler 3.8, it's what they do)
No idea on the taurus yet.
My van burns a qt every 2k (chrysler 3.8, it's what they do)
No idea on the taurus yet.
Almost at the end of an 8000 mile OCI - oil level hasn't moved perceptibly from the full mark on the dipstick. Car in sig.
If I bought a car with warranty or guarantee and it was using more oil than my 33 yr old, hard driven coupe I'd take it straight back to the point of sale for repair or refund.
If I bought a car with warranty or guarantee and it was using more oil than my 33 yr old, hard driven coupe I'd take it straight back to the point of sale for repair or refund.
To answer the OP question, "is there a such thing as normal oil consumption?"
Yes, a small amount.
Yes, a small amount.
Some engines just use a lot of oil. Bought an new Olds 88 with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Bought a new Riviera with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Both engines did not smoke and ran great. My then brother in law bought a used Olds 98 Regency with a 455. Burned a quart every 700 miles. I told him that was normal and he did not believe me. Had the engine rebuilt by a high end shop and blueprinted. The rebuilt engine used a quart every 700 miles.
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Originally Posted By: earlyre
several manufacturers even claim that up to a quart/1500 mi or so is "normal"
That number changes from service writer to service writer and mfg. to mfg. at dealerships too. There's no set number. I've heard service writers ask customers "how much oil are you using" when a customer complained about oil use under warranty. Then they'd wait for an answer, and base their response on that. 1,000 miles/qt was considered normal, and I've heard 500 miles/qt. I discovered the bottom line is while under warranty they usually don't want to address consumption issues unless the oil is leaking.
several manufacturers even claim that up to a quart/1500 mi or so is "normal"
That number changes from service writer to service writer and mfg. to mfg. at dealerships too. There's no set number. I've heard service writers ask customers "how much oil are you using" when a customer complained about oil use under warranty. Then they'd wait for an answer, and base their response on that. 1,000 miles/qt was considered normal, and I've heard 500 miles/qt. I discovered the bottom line is while under warranty they usually don't want to address consumption issues unless the oil is leaking.
Originally Posted By: SilverSnake
Some engines just use a lot of oil. Bought an new Olds 88 with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Bought a new Riviera with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Both engines did not smoke and ran great. My then brother in law bought a used Olds 98 Regency with a 455. Burned a quart every 700 miles. I told him that was normal and he did not believe me. Had the engine rebuilt by a high end shop and blueprinted. The rebuilt engine used a quart every 700 miles.
Ouch! That's an expensive way for him ignore your advice.
Some engines just use a lot of oil. Bought an new Olds 88 with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Bought a new Riviera with a 455. Used 1 quart every 700 miles. Both engines did not smoke and ran great. My then brother in law bought a used Olds 98 Regency with a 455. Burned a quart every 700 miles. I told him that was normal and he did not believe me. Had the engine rebuilt by a high end shop and blueprinted. The rebuilt engine used a quart every 700 miles.
Ouch! That's an expensive way for him ignore your advice.
To me a normal oil consumption in a healthy and well taken care of engine is when you don;t have to add the makeup oil. So if it drops to about half way on the dipstick throughout the OCI, I'm OK with that, but if you have to constantly top off the oil in order to keep the level above minimum, the engine is burning too much IMO.
My old truck uses a qt every 1500 miles-small rear main leak is most of it
My 09 Galant doesn't use any that I can tell-it stays at the full mark through the entire oci
Great little 4 banger imo
I dont think a new car should use a noticeable amount though
My 09 Galant doesn't use any that I can tell-it stays at the full mark through the entire oci
Great little 4 banger imo
I dont think a new car should use a noticeable amount though
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